Motobloc

France, 1902 – 1930

(1) G. Carde, Fils et Cie, Bordeaux

(2) SA Motobloc, Bordeaux

The Schaudel of 1898, which became the Motobloc car or Schaudel Motobloc car, featured unit construction of engine and gearbox, the earliest known instance of this form of design and the reason for the name Motobloc. Furthermore, the change-speed gears were actually in the crankcase. The power unit of the Schaudel Motobloc car was a transversely-mounted, inclined twin with chain drive. This odd little voiturette survived until 1904, after which it was perpetuated only as a van chassis, and a conventional vertical 4-cylinder engine – still made in unit with the gearbox – was substituted. This was a highly efficient unit that soon acquired overhead inlet valves, and it was also very smooth, thanks to the positioning of the flywheel between the two parts of cylinders. A mid-mounted flywheel was also used in the 6-cylinder engine of 1909 and on all Motobloc car models throughout the 1920s. Only fours were made up to 1927, ranging from 1.327cc to 3-litres in capacity. Independent front suspension was introduced on the Motobloc car in 1928, and the 1929/ 1930 range consisted of a Motobloc 9CV, 1.453cc four, and two sixes, a 10CV (1.683cc) and a 15CV (3.013cc).

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