Franay
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Coachbuilding, automobile body manufacturing |
| Founded | 1903 |
| Founder | Jean-Baptiste Franay |
| Defunct | 1955 |
| Headquarters | Levallois-Perret , France |
Key people | Jean-Baptiste Franay, Marius Franay |
| Products | Custom automobile bodies |
Franay was a French coachbuilding firm located in Levallois-Perret, a northwestern suburb of Paris. Established in 1903 by Jean-Baptiste Franay, who was a carriage upholsterer trained under Binder, the business was eventually inherited by his son, Marius. The company discontinued its automobile body manufacturing activities by the end of 1955.
History
Initially starting as a repair workshop, Carrosserie Franay evolved into a producer of automobile bodies under the leadership of Jean-Baptiste Franay in Levallois-Perret. Following the First World War, control passed to his son, Marius Franay.
During the interwar period, Franay specialized in crafting bodies for prestigious chassis including those from Bentley, Bugatti, Delage, Delahaye, Duesenberg, Hispano-Suiza, and Rolls-Royce. After World War II, Marius took on the role of president for the Association of French Car Body Manufacturers (Chambre Syndicale de la Carosserie Française). Among the early postwar endeavors were custom Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith drophead coupés and sedans, as well as unique designs for the Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport. Between 1947 and 1949, Franay created at least eight different coupé and convertible models based on the shorter Talbot chassis.
The company also undertook refurbishment projects, updating prewar chassis with contemporary bodies—such as fitting a pontoon-style convertible body to a 1936 Bugatti Type 57. Commissions for Bentley and Rolls-Royce during this era maintained classic sculpted fenders or incorporated Art Deco elements reminiscent of prewar styling.
Among Franay's last significant commissions was a four-door limousine crafted for French President René Coty. Built upon the Citroën Traction Avant platform, it featured a modern ponton "three-box" design by Philippe Charbonneaux. Bearing the registration 2 PR 75, this vehicle served official duties from 1955 onwards, notably transporting Queen Elizabeth II during her 1957 state visit. To minimize expenses, this limousine utilized components sourced from mass-produced cars such as Ford Comète windscreens and bumpers, Ford Vendôme wheel covers, Buick rear windows, and Chevrolet tail lamps.
Car body production at Franay concluded in late 1955. In addition to his automotive pursuits, Marius Franay held business interests in the film industry, owning companies specializing in synchronization and cinematographic printing located in St. Cloud.