Donnet / Donnet-Zédel

France, 1924 – 1934

SA des Automobiles Donnet, Nanterre, Seine; Neuilly, Seine, Pontarlier, Doubs.

After Zédel and Vinot et Deguingand ceased production, Donnet, a new company constituted from them in 1924, offered two new cars called Donnet-Zédel. A light car was made, the 7CV Donnet-Zedel Type G, which had a side-valve 4-cylinder engine of 1100cc and (unusual for so small a vehicle) a 4-speed gearbox. It was a solidly-built machine, and a Donnet-Zedel sports model was listed. There was, in addition, a medium-sized four of about 2¼-litres. From 1926, the Donnet-Zedel firm came to concentrate upon a 2½-litre six, also with side valves, which proved a popular car. Another, smaller six with 1.3-litres (later 1.8-litre) Sainturat-designed engine was also offered by Donnet-Zedel. In the 1932 range however, was a new small Donnet-Zedel car in the shape of a 750cc 2-stroke. This, a violet design, had been sold as the Dequingand until 1930. A fwd 2-litre 6-cylinder Donnet-Zedel, shown at the 1931 Paris Salon came to nothing. With the demise of Donnet, Simca took over the Donnet-Zedel factory.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; TRN

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American Austin (Bantam)

US, 1930 – 1941

(1) American Austin Co Inc, Butler, Pa. 1930 – 1934

(2) American Bantam Car Co, Butler, Pa. 1935 – 1941

This was a license-produced Austin Seven with mirror-image engine. Chevrolet-like styling, and fixed disc wheels with detachable rims, selling in sedan form at $445. Unfortunately Americans have never been keen on sub-compacts, and rumoured orders for 180.000 American Austin cars boiled down to a trickle of sales. The make’s first year was its best, and even then only 8.558 American Austin cars were sold. There were receiverships in 1932 and 1934, and no car at all were produced in 1935 or 1936. In 1937 the American Austin was renamed the Bantam, with styling by Alexis de Sakhnoffski, a new horizontal-barred grille, pressure lubrication, mechanical pump feed, and synchromesh. The 1940 Bantam models had enlarged 800cc engines with 3-bearing crankshafts, and the range now included a four-seater convertible as well as roadsters, tourings, station wagons and light commercials, but few found buyers. In the same year the Bantam company produced the first successful Jeep prototype with 4-cylinder Continental engine for the US Army. Though the big contracts went to Willys and Ford, Bantam not only rescued themselves but abandoned car manufacture for good.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; MCS

The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com