Cognet de Seynes
| Founded | 1912/1913 (initial automobile) |
|---|---|
| Defunct | 1926 |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | Victor Cognet Edouard de Seynes (1881–1957) |
| Products | Automobiles |
The Cognet de Seynes—later known as C de S—was a French automobile producer operating out of Lyon from approximately 1912 or 1913 until ceasing operations in 1926. The enterprise was established through the collaboration of financier Edouard de Seynes (1881–1957) and engineer Victor Cognet.
The partners
Originally from Avignon, Edouard de Seynes relocated to Lyon following his marriage, where he encountered Victor Cognet in 1907. De Seynes, possessing both financial means and a strong interest in mechanics, joined forces with Cognet, an engineer who managed a factory along the Heyrieux road specializing in patented "silent gear-boxes." Initially functioning as subcontractors for local industrial firms, their objective shifted toward manufacturing automobiles under their own brand, debuting their first vehicle in 1913. Production persisted until 1916, when wartime demands redirected efforts to producing aero engine components for Anzani.
Post-World War I, the firm maintained its Lyon manufacturing site but adopted the name C de S. In 1920, management briefly transferred to Ducerf from Saint-Étienne, who aimed to produce 300 cars annually based on refined pre-war designs; however, this ambition was not realized. Subsequently, de Seynes reassumed control, maintaining production levels between 20 and 30 vehicles per year until the company ultimately closed in 1926 due to increasing pressure from mass-market manufacturers.
The car
The company's only model, launched around 1912 or 1913, was characterized by a simple layout featuring a 1124 cc four-cylinder engine coupled with a three-speed "recilinear" gearbox that operated without cardan joints. It was built on a wheelbase and capable of reaching speeds up to , offered with either three- or four-seat tourer body styles.
At the 15th Paris Motor Show held in October 1919, the vehicle reemerged under the designation "C de S 5 HP," available as three- or four-seat Torpedo tourers, a two-box sedan known as "Conduite interieure," and a light van variant called "Camionette (500 Kilos)."
It is believed that two examples of these automobiles have survived to the present day.
See also
References
David Burgess Wise, The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Automobiles.
