Ruby (car)

Ruby

Company type	Private
Industry	Automotive, Engine manufacturing
Founded	1909
Headquarters	Levallois-Perret , France
Products	Cyclecars, Automobile engines

Ruby was a French producer of cyclecars. After discontinuing its automobile line, the firm concentrated on engine production.

Company history

The enterprise responsible for Ruby vehicles and powertrains was H. Godefroy et Lévêque, located in Levallois-Perret, a suburb of Paris. Their automotive manufacturing commenced in 1909 and concluded by 1922. Following this, the company dedicated itself to creating and supplying proprietary engines to a variety of small-scale lightweight car makers. Initially, their cyclecars were sold under the "Super" label until approximately 1919.

Automobiles

Prior to 1914, Godefroy et Lévêque offered three single-cylinder and three twin-cylinder models, with power outputs ranging from 6CV to 12CV. These vehicles were also marketed in the United Kingdom as the "Elburn-Ruby" until 1912 and later as the "Tweenie" up to 1914. A four-cylinder model was introduced in 1919.

Engines

Ruby engines were utilized by numerous light car and cyclecar manufacturers such as B.N.C., Coadou et Fleury, D’Yrsan, E.H.P., Georges Irat, Hinstin, JG Sport, Jousset, Kevah, Lambert, Le Cabri, Rally, Sandford, and Sénéchal. Production did not recommence following World War II.

The company's early acclaim came from the "type A" sidevalve four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 903 cc (55 mm bore x 95 mm stroke), which secured several class victories during the early 1920s. This was succeeded by the "AS" block with an increased bore of 57 mm, resulting in a displacement of 972 cc. The initial "1100" engine was known as the "OC Grand Sport," featuring a 1094 cc capacity (59 x 100 mm), comparable to the Chapuis-Dornier "1100." In early 1926, the "DS Grand Sport" was launched, offering 1097 cc (60 x 97 mm) and delivering power outputs between .

The Ruby K represented a later development: an overhead valve supercharged performance engine displacing 1087 cc (62 x 90 mm). Additionally, several Ruby engines were equipped with superchargers manufactured by René Cozette and other suppliers.