Richard-Brasier
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Richard-Brasier |
| Founded | 1905 |
| Founder | Charles-Henri Brasier |
| Defunct | 1930 |
| Fate | Ceased operations |
| Headquarters | Ivry-sur-Seine , France |
Area served | France |
| Products | Automobiles, aero engines (during WWI) |
Brasier was a French car manufacturer located near Paris, operating from 1905 until 1930. The firm initially began as Richard-Brasier in 1902 and later adopted the name Chaigneau-Brasier in 1926.
Origins
Following his experience with Panhard and Émile Mors, Charles-Henri Brasier teamed up with Georges Richard in 1902 to create Richard-Brasier. By 1905, Richard's frequent absences due to racing commitments and injuries led to the dissolution of their partnership. Richard went on to establish Unic, while Brasier continued the business independently, maintaining the manufacturing facility in Ivry-sur-Seine, situated on the southern outskirts of Paris.
Early Brasiers
Prior to the First World War, Brasier produced a variety of models featuring twin-cylinder, four-cylinder, and six-cylinder engines, with an annual output of approximately 1,000 vehicles.
World War I
During the conflict, Brasier manufactured Hispano-Suiza V8 aero engines utilized in aircraft such as the SPAD S.VII and S.E.5a. Nevertheless, these engines faced criticism for substandard quality, prompting the RFC’s Quartermaster General to advise issuing alternative engines before resorting to Brasier’s units unless no other options were available.
After WWI
Production recommenced in 1919 with a model powered by a 3404 cc engine. By 1920, Brasier presented two models at their showroom located near the Place de la Concorde on the prestigious Champs-Élysées. The smaller model was equipped with a four-cylinder 3,392 cc (18 CV) engine and offered two wheelbase lengths (3300 mm or 3420 mm), whereas the larger featured a six-cylinder 5,325 cc (30 CV) engine mounted on a 3650 mm chassis. Prices for the chassis with tires were set at 22,500 francs and 40,000 francs respectively.
At the 1924 Paris Motor Show, Henri Brasier redirected the company’s focus from large post-war automobiles to the "Brasier Type TB4," introduced in 1923. This vehicle had a four-cylinder 2,062 cc (12 CV) engine and rode on a 3100 mm wheelbase. Due to currency inflation, prices increased to 40,000 francs for the "Torpedo" body style and 45,000 francs for the "Conduite intérieure" sedan. Despite these efforts, Brasier’s market position weakened as rivals launched more specialized and innovative offerings.
Starting in 1926, following acquisition by the Chaigneau family—previously known for bicycle manufacturing—the cars were rebranded as Chaigneau-Brasier. Their initial model under this name was the TD-4, a 9 CV four-cylinder available as either a tourer or saloon. The company sought to revive its luxury segment through technical advancements, unveiling a front-wheel-drive three-litre overhead camshaft vehicle in 1928 that was labeled "Utopian." A larger variant appeared in 1930.
This period coincided with the severe economic crisis triggered by the Wall Street crash of 1929, which impeded commercial achievements. Although the sophisticated three-litre chassis attracted attention at Paris Motor Shows, it remains uncertain whether production extended beyond prototype stages. Financial struggles resulted in underutilized capacity at the Ivry facility until investment from Delahaye temporarily sustained Chaigneau-Brasier by shifting production to trucks for Delahaye. Nonetheless, operations ceased around 1930–31.
Racing
Léon Théry competed with a Brasier in the 1908 French Grand Prix, retiring after completing nine laps out of ten.