Salmson S4
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1919 |
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Automobiles (Salmson S4 series) |
Salmson S4
The Salmson S4 represents a mid-sized executive automobile introduced as the Salmson S4 C by Société des Moteurs Salmson in the fall of 1932. It served as the flagship model for the manufacturer over a span of nearly twenty years.
Originally, the vehicle was powered by a 1465 cc four-cylinder engine, categorizing it within the 8CV car tax class. This positioned the S4 above comparable models such as the Peugeot 301 and Renault Monaquatre in terms of market segment. Shortly thereafter, the engine displacement was increased, elevating the car into the 10CV tax bracket and thereby improving both its performance capabilities and competitive stance.
The lineup was further diversified with larger engines, including a 2.3-litre version known as the Salmson S4 E, which debuted in October 1937 alongside an updated Salmson S4 DA. Production was interrupted due to World War II, most likely ceasing after a significant British air raid on March 3, 1942. After the war, limited production resumed with the four-cylinder (10CV) Salmson S4-61 continuing until April 1952, by which time manufacturing of the 13CV Salmson S4 E had already ended.
Origins
Between 1919 and 1922, Salmson shifted its focus from its well-established aviation operations to automobile production, initially concentrating on aircraft and their engines. Moving away from British cyclecar designs, by the mid-1920s Salmson had become known for producing compact vehicles equipped with advanced features such as twin overhead camshafts and overhead valves.
In October 1928, at the Paris Motor Show, Salmson introduced the "Type S," which housed a small six-cylinder 9 CV engine with twin overhead camshafts similar to those in its four-cylinder offerings. The exterior design differed only by a "Six" emblem on the radiator grille. Launched just prior to the economic downturn of the Great Depression, this model achieved modest sales but laid groundwork for the later Salmson S4, launched in 1932 with a four-cylinder powerplant. The S4 further established Salmson’s standing as a pioneer in automotive engineering.
Salmson S4-C 8CV (1932–1934?)
Released in autumn 1932, the S4-C was powered by a 1465 cc (8CV) four-cylinder engine producing 41 horsepower at 3,800 rpm and capable of reaching a maximum speed of 110 km/h. The engine was notably sophisticated for its era, featuring twin overhead camshafts and a magneto coil that doubled as a starter motor within a 12-volt electrical system.
Drive was transmitted to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox, with an optional Cotal preselector transmission available from May 1934 at an additional cost. The suspension setup included rigid axles front and rear combined with longitudinal leaf springs—semi-elliptic at the front and demi-cantilever at the rear.
At the October 1933 Paris Motor Show (27th edition), pricing for the chassis alone stood at 21,950 francs. The body styles offered were traditional and comprised a two-door "Faux Cabriolet" seating four (29,900 francs), a two-door "Coach Lumineux" (30,950 francs), a four-door "Berline" sedan (31,650 francs), a sporty "Roadster" (31,450 francs), and a "Cabriolet" (33,500 francs). Additionally, an extended wheelbase sedan ("berline alongė") was listed at 31,950 francs. The vehicle’s exterior featured a flat grille design which by that time appeared somewhat dated relative to contemporary rivals.
Salmson S4-D 10CV (circa 1934–1936)
Around 1934, Salmson introduced the S4 D, which came with an enlarged engine capacity of 1596 cc, resulting in an increase in the tax horsepower classification from 8 to 10 CV.
Salmson S4-DA 10CV (1936–1938)
By October 1936, after selling several thousand units of the S4 series, Salmson unveiled the S4-DA at the Paris Motor Show. This model retained the four-cylinder engine's twin overhead camshafts and stroke length but expanded the bore size to 1731 cc. Its cylinder head featured hemispherical pistons along with centrally located spark plugs, significantly improving engine responsiveness—a notable achievement for a vehicle in the 10CV category. Positioned in the same tax bracket as the Peugeot 302, the S4-DA commanded a price approximately 50% higher, underscoring Salmson’s status as a premium brand.
The car was equipped with independent front suspension utilizing a transverse leaf spring, while the rear maintained a rigid axle supported by longitudinal leaf springs. At the 1936 Motor Show, prices ranged from 24,000 francs for a chassis-only model to 35,900 francs for a four-seat cabriolet. All variants came standard with a four-speed manual gearbox sourced from Delahaye, with an optional Cotal Preselector transmission offered at an additional cost of 1,500 francs.
Following economic instability during the mid-1930s and renewed inflation in France’s latter half of the decade, prices increased by January 1938. The bare chassis cost rose to 31,200 francs, with corresponding price adjustments across all body styles.
Salmson S4 E 13CV (1937–1951)
During the 31st Paris Motor Show in October 1937, Salmson discreetly expanded its S4 lineup by introducing the S4-E, moving into the 13CV segment with a four-cylinder engine displacing 2312 cc. Despite its advanced engineering—including twin overhead camshafts, hemispherical pistons, and centrally positioned spark plugs—the model received minimal promotional attention and limited public exposure.
The S4-E’s chassis incorporated rack and pinion steering and front independent suspension enhanced by longitudinal torsion bars, likely influenced by the Citroën Traction Avant design. These technical refinements contributed to enhanced handling and performance within its category. Additionally, this model debuted a hydraulic braking system that replaced traditional mechanical linkages.
The wheelbase was extended by 15 centimeters. The range included three body configurations: a two-door four-seater "faux-cabriolet" (later renamed "coupé") priced at 49,800 francs; a four-door Berline featuring rear-hinged back doors for easier entry at 50,900 francs; and a four-seat cabriolet costing 54,800 francs. Buyers could choose between the conventional four-speed manual transmission or the Cotal Preselector gearbox—now provided as standard without extra charge—an improvement over earlier models.
Salmson S4-61 10CV (1938–1942, 1946–1952)
In 1939, the S4-61 replaced the S4 DA with only minor technical modifications.
Second World War
Due to its complexity, the sophisticated S4 was deemed unsuitable for military applications. Consequently, Salmson’s Billancourt factory was not converted for wartime production. Manufacturing output declined sharply during the early years of conflict and was further hampered by British bombing raids on the facility in March 1942. After the war, Salmson repurposed the S4-61 chassis for single-seater racing cars used by the "Union Sportif automobile" driving school established in 1945—a program that concluded by 1946. Despite these challenges, production of the S4-61 model persisted throughout this era.
Postwar period
Production of the S4 recommenced in 1946 and continued until 1952, although output remained limited due to the difficulties faced by the French economy. By 1950, manufacturing levels began to improve, and it is probable that a significant portion of the 817 Salmsons produced in 1951 were S4 models. Despite this recovery, financial backing was withdrawn by the bank in 1951, leading the company into administration. The process of phasing out automobile production took place gradually, with the final S4 units completed in April 1952.
British Salmson
The S4-C was also manufactured under license by British Salmson as a 12 HP variant. Following Britain's departure from the Gold Standard during the Great Depression, the resulting depreciation of the pound sterling stimulated the domestic automotive sector but rendered imports of French vehicles economically unviable. By the onset of World War II, British Salmson had introduced localized versions of the S4-D as well as an exclusive 6-cylinder S6-D model that was not offered in France.
A British Salmson S4-61 cabriolet is featured in the television adaptation of Agatha Christie's Marple, specifically in the episode titled "The Murder at the Vicarage."
Sources and further reading
- Salmson. La belle mécanique française, authored by Claude and Laurent Chevalier, published by E.T.A.I., 2010.