Bellanger (automobile) refers to the French automobile manufacturer Société des Automobiles Bellanger Frères, which produced cars between 1912 and 1925 (with the business formally ceasing automotive production around 1928).
Overview
Bellanger was a French automobile manufacturer founded in 1912 by Robert Bellanger (1884–1966) and his brothers. The company was headquartered in Neuilly-sur-Seine, on the northwestern edge of Paris, in the Rue de la Révolte (now part of Boulevard Pershing in the 17th arrondissement). Robert Bellanger had previously sold Delaunay-Belleville vehicles before establishing his own manufacturing firm.
History
The company was founded in 1912 for the production of motor cars. The cars were branded "Bellanger," though badges reading "Bellanger Frères" (Bellanger Brothers) were also used. The company's slogan was "Son capot est d'argent et son silence est d'or" ("Her bonnet is silver and her silence is golden").
During the First World War, Bellanger shifted to supplying the military and also began producing aero-engines, becoming a licensed manufacturer of the Renault 12Fe (300 CV) engine.
After the war, car production resumed in 1919. Robert Bellanger entered politics in the 1920s, and the Bellanger Frères business was sold in 1925 to Peugeot, which acquired several smaller French automakers around that time. In 1928, the site was sold again to the newly formed Automobiles L. Rosengart, which used it to produce the Austin 7 under license. Bellanger continued producing aero-engines until 1928.
Models
Pre-war models (before 1914): The first cars were powered by sleeve-valve Daimler engines in displacements of 2,000 cc, 2,600 cc, 3,000 cc, and 6,300 cc. The smaller three options were frequently used as Paris taxis.
Post-war models (from 1919): After the war, production resumed with the Type A1, powered by a 3.2-litre four-cylinder side-valve engine designed by Valentin Laviolette (who had previously designed cars for Spyker). Bellanger had switched to Briscoe Frères as its engine supplier.
At the 15th Paris Motor Show in October 1919, Bellanger exhibited three models:
- Type A1 – 4-cylinder, 3,170 cc (17 HP), wheelbase 2,800 mm
- Type D – 4-cylinder, 4,240 cc (30 HP), wheelbase 3,750 mm
- Type F – V8-cylinder, 6,340 cc (50 HP) OHV, wheelbase 3,750 mm (priced at 60,000 francs in bare chassis form)
- Type B1 – 4-cylinder De Dion engine (Type JP)
In 1928, three years after the Bellangers had sold their factory, De Dion-Bouton manufactured some of their Model JP cars with vee-radiators and marketed them under the name "Bellanger Model B1," but this venture lasted less than a year.
Fate
The company was acquired by Peugeot in 1925, and the factory site was sold to Rosengart in 1928, marking the end of Bellanger automobile production.
