Oméga-Six
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1922 in Pantin, France |
| Founder | Jules Daubeck |
| Defunct | 1930 |
| Fate | Ceased production |
| Headquarters | Boulogne-Billancourt (from 1925) , France |
Area served | France |
Key people | Gabriel Daubeck, Maurice Gadoux |
| Products | Automobiles (six-cylinder and eight-cylinder cars) |
Automobiles Oméga-Six was a French automotive marque produced near Paris by Gabriel Daubeck between 1922 and 1930.
Etymology
The brand name "Oméga-Six" originated from the company's initial focus on six-cylinder powerplants.
History
Established in 1922 by Jules Daubeck in Pantin, located northeast of Paris, the firm moved its operations to Boulogne-Billancourt in 1925. Manufacturing ended in 1930. The vehicles were engineered by Maurice Gadoux, who had previously worked at Hispano-Suiza, and were positioned within the "compact luxury" market segment. Production volumes averaged about 50 units annually.
Cars
The inaugural model was equipped with a 1996cc overhead camshaft engine delivering 50 horsepower, classifying it in the 12 HP tax category, and capable of reaching speeds up to 120 km/h (75 mph). Customers could choose between wheelbases measuring 3050 mm or 3300 mm, with body variants including Touring cars, Limousines (sedans), and Coupé de Ville.
In 1924, the adoption of Solex carburetors increased output to 55 hp and introduced a four-speed gearbox. By the time of the 19th Paris Motor Show in October 1924, the engine featured twin carburetors, a wheelbase extended to 3250 mm, and the chassis alone was priced at 60,000 francs.
A larger displacement engine of 2660cc was launched in 1926 and displayed alongside the original model at that year's Paris Motor Show. Base chassis prices were set at 65,000 francs for the 1996cc engine and 70,000 francs for the 2660cc variant.
At the 22nd Paris Motor Show in 1928, six-cylinder models maintained the 3250 mm wheelbase with prices of 80,000 francs for the smaller engine and 85,000 francs for the larger one. A competition-spec version featured a three-liter six-cylinder engine fitted with twin Cozette carburetors producing 150 horsepower.
In 1929, Oméga-Six broadened its range by introducing two eight-cylinder engines of three-liter and four-liter capacities (rated at 17CV and 24CV), mounted on a longer wheelbase of 3600 mm and priced at 115,000 and 120,000 francs respectively.
Competition
During the 1924 Le Mans 24 Hour race, two Oméga-Six entries participated but both retired early, finishing unofficially in positions thirty-third and thirty-fifth. In the following year’s event, none of the entered vehicles started due to difficulties encountered during practice sessions; these cars were driven by Jacques Margueritte paired with Louis Bonne, Roland Coty alongside Albert Clement, and "Sabipa" with Jacques Achilles Boyriven.
At the Circuit des Routes Pavées racecourse, J. Achilles Boyriven secured commendable results: fourth place in 1926, third place in 1929, and seventh place in 1930 after covering a distance of 507 kilometers within the five-liter class. Louis Bonne claimed victory in the S3.0 category in 1928. In the Spa 24 Hours endurance race, Boyriven achieved second place in 1928 and third place in the following year.
In 1929, driver Bayssières earned second position at the V Grand Prix de Picardie but did not participate in other prominent races such as the II Grand Prix d'Algérie or I Grand Prix de Dieppe. The marque's sole major triumph occurred that year when Hellé Nice won the all-female Grand Prix Féminin—a brief handicap event held on June 2 during the Journée Féminine de l'automobile at Autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry.
Reading list
- Harald Linz, Halwart Schrader: Die Internationale Automobil-Enzyklopädie. United Soft Media Verlag, München 2008. (German)
- George Nick Georgano (Ed.): The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. Volume 3: P–Z. Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago 2001. (English)
- George Nick Georgano: Autos. Encyclopédie complète. 1885 à nos jours. Courtille, Paris 1975. (French)