Stabilia (automobile)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1 January 1906 |
| Founder | Vrard |
| Defunct | 31 December 1930 |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Area served | France |
| Products | Automobiles |
Automobiles Stabilia was an automobile producer headquartered in Paris, operating from 1906 until 1930. Although the enterprise underwent multiple renamings, its automobiles were consistently branded as Stabilia. The company was known for manufacturing vehicles with lowered bodies, utilizing a unique patented suspension mechanism.
History of the business
Established in 1907 by Vrard, who previously worked with Léon Bollée and De Dion-Bouton, Automobiles Stabilia initially operated out of Neuilly-sur-Seine. By 1911, the firm adopted the name Giraldy et Vrard and expanded manufacturing to include facilities in both Neuilly-sur-Seine and Asnières-sur-Seine, while continuing to produce under the Stabilia marque. In 1920, the company was renamed Vrard et Cie and centralized its production exclusively at Asnières. During the 1920s, output decreased steadily until production halted altogether in 1930.
The cars
The inaugural model introduced in 1908 was equipped with a four-cylinder engine displacing 2200cc and featured an “underslung” chassis that positioned the car body lower than usual—a hallmark of Stabilia’s design philosophy. From 1912 to 1914, the lineup broadened to include engines sized at 1500cc, 1700cc, and 2700cc.
Following World War I, production recommenced with a 15HP four-cylinder engine of 3168cc that was exhibited at the 1919 Paris Motor Show. This model was offered with wheelbase options of either 2850mm or 3350mm and sold for 20,000 francs as a chassis alone. Additionally, a 14HP variant featuring a 2800cc engine paired with a four-speed gearbox was available. By 1924, Stabilia continued promoting its signature low chassis architecture. Between 1924 and 1926, models were fitted with externally sourced engines of either 1500cc or 2000cc capacity.
Starting in 1927, Stabilia introduced smaller vehicles developed in partnership with Automobiles Gobron. The final production model released in 1930 utilized a compact straight-eight engine with a displacement of only 1400cc.
External links
Reference, sources and notes
- Harald Linz, Halwart Schrader: Die Internationale Automobil-Enzyklopädie. United Soft Media Verlag, München 2008,
- George Nick Georgano (Ed.): The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. Vol. 3: P–Z. Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago 2001,
- George Nick Georgano: Autos. Encyclopédie complète. 1885 à nos jours. Courtille, Paris 1975