Jeantaud
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1893 |
| Founder | Charles Jeantaud |
| Defunct | 1906 |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Automobiles (electric and petrol-powered) |
The Jeantaud was an automobile brand from France, produced in Paris between 1893 and 1907. Established by Charles Jeantaud, a coachbuilder who constructed his initial electric vehicle in 1881, the company is recognized for creating significant automobiles, including the first car to establish a land speed record at , piloted by Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat. Jeantaud's range comprised coupes and hansom cabs notable for their elevated rear seating arrangement, with certain models incorporating an uncommon bevel-gear front-wheel-drive mechanism. From 1902 to 1904, the firm diversified into petrol-powered automobiles featuring 2-, 3-, and 4-cylinder engines akin to those used by contemporary Panhard vehicles.
Following the tragic suicide of Charles Jeantaud, the business discontinued operations in 1906.
Specifications of record breaker
The 1899 Jeantaud Duc Profilée was equipped with a electric motor and had an approximate weight of . Power transmission to the rear wheels was achieved through a chain-driven gearbox. Its streamlined shape, characterized by tapered front and rear sections, allowed it to exceed the prior speed record of , reaching on 4 March 1899. This achievement was soon surpassed by the La Jamais Contente, recognized as the first vehicle specifically engineered for land speed records, which attained .