Car History 4U - Special Features / Cyclecars

The motor car - a concise history.
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Special Features / Cyclecars

9.1.6. France

Possibly in excess of 50 cyclecar manufacturers existed in France between 1910 and 1934. Most existed for 1-3 years.
At least 16 were still operating during the first half of the 1920s. By the late 1920s most had ceased producing cyclecars.

1. Able

The Able four-cylinder cyclecar was built between 1920 and 1927. It was fitted with engines ranging from 1100 cc to 1500 cc. What did it weigh? How many were made?

2. Amilcar

The Amilcar Company produced their first cyclecar in 1921.
This was followed by the Amilcar CC, a light sporting car that was produced from 1922 to 1925. It was powered by a 903 cc four-cylinder 18 hp engine. What did it weigh? How many were made?
The Amilcar C4 version was made between 1922 and 1928.
In 1924 the company produced their most famous model; the 1,074 cc CGS "Grand Sport". It competed in numerous cyclecar races during the 1920s. There was also a CGSS "Grand Sport Surbaissé" model.
The company’s cyclecars were built under licence in Austria (“Grofri”), Germany (“Pluto”) and Italy (“Amilcar Italiana”).
The first dedicated cyclecar race was organised by the Automobile Club de France in 1913. Races for cyclecars and voiturettes were held up to the late 1920s.

3. Ardex

In 1934 Ardex produced a cyclecar that was fitted with engines of up to 500 cc. What did it weigh? How many were made? Was it a three-wheeler?

4. Bédélia

The Bédélia cyclecar was made in France by the Bourbeau et Devaux Company from 1910 to 1925.
The passenger sat in the front and the car was steered by the person in the rear. Single-cylinder or 10hp V-twin engines were fitted.
Power was transmitted to the rear wheels by a belt which could be moved between pulleys to give a two speed transmission.
To change gear the driver operated a lever which slackened the belt by moving the rear axle forwards. The passenger then had to move the belt between pulleys by means of a separate lever.
A Bédélia model won the 1913 Cyclecar Grand Prix.
An updated version was produced in about 1920, with the driver and passenger sat side-by-side. A 990 cc engine was provided.

5. Jack Sport

The Jack Sport, a 410 cc, single-cylinder cyclecar was produced from 1925 to 1930. What did it weigh? How many were made?

6. Others

Other French companies producing cyclecars include; Able, Ajams, Alcyon, Ardex, Arzac, Astatic, Austral, Bignan, BUC, Coadou et Fleury, Janoir, JG Sport, Jouvie, La Confortable, Le Cabri, Le Favori, Le Roitelet, Molla, Quo Vadis, Senechal and Vaillant.