Delaunay-Belleville
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1903 |
| Founder | Louis Delaunay, Marius Barbarou |
| Fate | Merged back into parent company in 1936; factory sold in 1948 |
| Headquarters | Saint-Denis , France |
Key people | Louis Delaunay, Marius Barbarou |
| Products | Luxury automobiles, trucks, military vehicles |
| Parent | Parent company (name not specified) |
Automobiles Delaunay-Belleville () was a French manufacturer of luxury automobiles headquartered in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris. During the early 1900s, it ranked among the most esteemed and sought-after French automotive brands.
History
Julien Belleville commenced production of marine boilers circa 1850. In 1867, Louis Delaunay became part of the enterprise, married Belleville’s daughter, adopted the combined surname Delaunay-Belleville, and assumed control of the business.
The company S.A. des Automobiles Delaunay-Belleville was established in 1903 by Louis Delaunay alongside Marius Barbarou. Barbarou, who brought prior experience from Clément, Lorraine-Dietrich, and Benz, was responsible for design and styling, including the signature circular radiator grille. Their inaugural automobile was unveiled at the 1904 Paris Salon to widespread praise.
Initially, the firm offered three four-cylinder variants: a live-axle 16 hp model and two chain-driven versions rated at 24 hp and 40 hp. These vehicles were among the earliest to incorporate pressure-lubricated camshafts. Distinctive features included car bodies secured with only four bolts and water-cooled brakes fed from a 2-imperial-gallon reservoir, enhancing braking efficiency.
Delaunay-Belleville rapidly gained recognition as a symbol of luxury. By 1906, Emperor Nicholas II of Russia had acquired a 40 hp model; other royal patrons included King George I of Greece and King Alfonso XIII of Spain.
In 1909, they became the first French manufacturer to introduce a six-cylinder engine with the 70 hp Type SMT ("Sa Majesté le Tsar"), which remained in production until 1912. Nicholas II ordered one fitted with a Barbey starter—a silent starter operable from the driver’s seat—that became standard by 1910.
Similar to other high-end marques of the era, vehicles were sold as rolling chassis intended for bespoke coachbuilding. Between 1906 and 1914, British imports predominantly received bodies crafted by Shinnie Brothers in Aberdeen before being retailed in London.
During World War I, British forces utilized Delaunay-Belleville chassis as platforms for armoured cars deployed by the Royal Naval Air Service.
After the war, Continental-style coachwork grew popular in Britain through Belgian coachbuilder D'Ieteren Frères. Their landaulette model on a 26 hp chassis was priced at £900, placing it in between Napier and Rolls-Royce in terms of cost.
In 1919, the firm introduced the P4—a 2-litre sidevalve four-cylinder producing 10 hp—one of the priciest voiturettes available at that time. This was succeeded by the P4B in 1922, featuring a 2.6-litre overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine.
Following Barbarou’s exit from the company, product standards declined. New four-cylinder pushrod overhead valve engines were launched in 1926 while prewar six-cylinder models continued production until 1927. The final six-cylinder versions included a 3180 cc 21 hp (1928) and a 3619 cc OHV 21/75 (1930). In 1931, more affordable and quieter Continental engines sourced from the United States were introduced.
By the late 1920s, Delaunay-Belleville had lost much of its former prestige and pivoted towards manufacturing trucks and military vehicles. In 1936, it merged back into its parent company. The six-cylinder RI-6 model persisted into the late 1930s and experienced a brief revival after World War II. This model featured independent suspension on all wheels, a Cotal preselector gearbox, and a grille reminiscent of the 1939 Buick design but suffered from diminishing after-sales service. Only six units were produced in 1947 with an additional four built in early 1948.
Though advertisements for new automobiles continued until 1950, the factory was sold to Robert de Rovin in 1948, who then focused on producing cyclecars.
See also
- Delage
- Delahaye
References
- Wise, David Burgess. "Delahaye: Renowned on Both Road and Race Circuits", featured in Ward, Ian, executive editor. World of Automobiles, Volume 5, pages 525–526. London: Orbis, 1974, ISBN 9780839360094.
- La Delaunay-Belleville (1904-1947), a Jewel of the Automotive World, Pierre-Henri, Philippe, and François Richer, Les Editions Page de Garde, 2002, Elbeuf.
External links
- Delaunay at vea.qc.ca (archived June 24, 2004)