Tholomé
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1919 |
| Defunct | 1922 |
| Headquarters | Saint-Ouen, Seine-Saint-Denis , France |
| Products | Cyclecars |
M. Tholomé was an automobile maker based in Paris, operating between 1919 and 1922, with a focus on producing cyclecars.
History of the business
Situated at 27 Rue Godillot in Saint-Ouen, Seine-Saint-Denis, M. Tholomé took advantage of the increased need for economical vehicles following the First World War. Cyclecars, characterized by their smaller size, lighter weight, and lower cost compared to standard automobiles, gained significant popularity in France during this period. Tholomé was recognized as one of the prominent French manufacturers within this niche. An advertisement from 1920 highlighted the vehicle’s lightweight construction of 320 kg, which allowed it to benefit from a reduced yearly tax rate of only 100 francs.
The cars
At the Paris Motor Show held in October 1919, M. Tholomé presented an open two-seat cyclecar that could be equipped with either a V-twin 7HP 750cc motorcycle engine or a four-cylinder 10HP 900cc engine, with a later option of a 1095cc capacity. The four-cylinder powerplants were supplied by the nearby Ruby company, while the smaller engines originated from Train motorcycles.
For customers opting for the larger engine, transmission choices included either a two-speed or a five-speed manual gearbox.
The vehicles featured open-top “torpedo” style bodies with tapered “boat-deck” rear ends and seating arranged side-by-side for two occupants. Pricing covered full equipment such as a hood, windscreen, lighting system, tools, and a spare wheel: the 750cc model was offered at 5,350 francs; four-cylinder variants were available at 6,660 francs for the two-speed version and 7,250 francs for the five-speed model.