Vinot-Deguingand
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1898 |
| Founder | Lucien-Marie Vinot-Préfontaine, Albert Deguingand |
| Defunct | 1926 |
| Fate | Ceased manufacturing; premises sold to Donnet-Zédel |
| Headquarters | Puteaux, later Nanterre , France |
Area served | France, United Kingdom (via subsidiary) |
Key people | Lucien-Marie Vinot-Préfontaine, Albert Deguingand |
| Products | Automobiles, bicycles (initially) |
Vinot-Deguingand was a French car manufacturer established in 1898 by Lucien-Marie Vinot-Préfontaine (1858–1915) and Albert Deguingand (1872–1943) in Puteaux. The company initially specialized in bicycles before transitioning to automobile production in 1901.
Throughout its existence, the firm operated under several names, including Vinot & Deguingand, Vinot-Deguingand, and from 1907 onward, simply as Vinot. Around 1906 or 1909, Vinot acquired the Gladiator brand, marketing two closely related vehicle lines under both the Vinot and Gladiator names until 1920.
Vinot-Deguingand maintained a subsidiary in London named "Vinot Cars Ltd," which managed local coachbuilding for vehicles sold within the United Kingdom. Early models were promoted there under the name "La Silencieuse."
Following World War I, production was relocated to modern facilities in Nanterre, near Paris. Due to diminishing market demand, manufacturing ceased in 1926. The premises were subsequently sold to Donnet-Zédel and later acquired by Henri Pigozzi, transforming into the primary factory for Simca-Fiat (later Simca) automobiles.
After the passing of Lucien-Marie Vinot-Préfontaine in 1915, Albert Deguingand founded Société des Nouveaux Ateliers A. Deguingand, which remained active until approximately 1929 or 1930.
Automobiles
The company’s initial automobile featured a twin-cylinder 1500cc engine coupled with chain drive. By 1903, this model evolved into the "10CV," accompanied by a four-cylinder 3300cc "H14CV" and an "F18CV." In 1905, the larger 5800cc "30CV" was introduced, followed by the firm’s first six-cylinder model in 1906.
By 1908, the range included the "10/14CV" and "16/24CV," with a 4-litre "24CV" added in 1910. Engine sizes expanded further by 1914, spanning from 1700cc up to 4200cc.
In October 1919, less than a year after the conclusion of World War I, Vinot-Deguignand presented the 12CV Type BO at the 15th Paris Motor Show. This vehicle was equipped with a four-cylinder 2603cc engine and featured a wheelbase measuring 3030mm.
Competition
Vinot & Deguingand participated in the inaugural Le Mans 24 Hour race held in 1923. The Molon brothers, Léon and Lucien, drove a 10HP Vinot & Deguingand Type BP to complete 77 laps. They secured 26th place overall and finished sixth within the 2.0-litre category, trailing the winning car by a margin of 51 laps.
Reading list
- Harald Linz, Halwart Schrader: Die Internationale Automobil-Enzyklopädie. United Soft Media Verlag, München 2008, . (German)
- George Nick Georgano (Ed.): The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. Volume 3: P–Z. Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago 2001, . (English)
- George Nick Georgano: Autos. Encyclopédie complète. 1885 à nos jours. Courtille, Paris 1975. (French)