Sigma

CH, 1909 – 1914

Sté Industrielle Genevoise de Mécanique et Automobiles, Chene-Bougeries

Made in the former Picker-Moccand factory, the Sigma car took its name from the initials of the company. The Sigma cars carried the Greek letter Σ in the middle of their round radiators. The Sigma cars were medium-sized 4-cylinder vehicles, originally with 8/11hp sv engine. In 1911 the Sigma car company acquired a licence to built the Knight sleeve-valve engine in 18 and 28hp sizes, and the Sigma cars also made 15 and 25hp poppet-valve engines. Sigma cars achieved many successes in hill-climbs, and took second place in the 1910 Targa Florio, driven by de Prosperis, the Sigma car agent for Sicily. He entered a Sigma car again in 1912 and 1913, but came no higher than 11th, and 15th respectively.

France, 1913 – 1928

Sté des Automobiles Sigma, Levallois-Perret, Seine

Pre-war 1 Sigma cars used a variety of 4-cylinder Ballot engines, in sizes from 8 to 20hp, chassis of the Sigma car being made by Malicet et Blin. Just after World War 1 a short-lived 2-cylinder Sigma car was made, but most of the vintage Sigma cars used 4-cylinder proprietary engines and were of very conventional layout. The 1.494cc C.I.M.E. engine of 1925 had a single overhead camshaft, but other Sigma car models had sv units, by SCAP or Ballot, from 894cc to 1.614cc.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; GNG

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Ariès

France, 1903 – 1938

SA Ariès, Courbevoie, Seine

The first Ariès motor vehicle was the delivery truck of 1903, which was powered by an Aster 2-cylinder engine. The Paris Salon of that year saw the first Ariès car, which was also Aster-powered. It was designed by Baron Charles Petiet. These Ariès were unremarkable machines, except for the feature of De Dion-type drive, the rear wheels being driven by shafts above a ‘dead’ axle. Not all Ariès were so furnished; some Ariès models were available with the choice of live axle or chain drive. By 1905, 4-cylinder Ariès cars as well as a twin were listed. Engines were still by Aster. 1908 brought a six and a narrow V4 engine of 60mm x 100mm, so compact that it was mistaken for a single and in 1910 Ariès catalogued the smallest 6-cylinder car in the world. All models had De Dion-type drive. The production of commercial Ariès vehicles took precedence over passenger cars towards the end of the decade. One Ariès for sale of the 1913 range, following the fashion, used a Knight double sleeve-valve engine.
After making Hispano-Suiza engines during World War 1, Ariès went back to cars, but still in a small way. Among the longest-lived models were the Ariès 15CV for sale and its close relative the Ariès 12CV, touring cars using a 4-cylinder sv engine with a cubic capacity of around three litres, and a 4-speed gearbox. From 1922 there was an Ariès Sport model with overhead camshaft and front wheel brakes. The smallest Ariès, the 5CV Ariès Type CC2 was worthy of more attention. It had a single overhead-camshaft engine of 1.085cc and (from 1924) four forward speeds. The 1929 Ariès CC4S sports model, with two plugs per cylinder, was a fast car. The Ariès 15CV was still there, but by the end of 1930 both it and the Ariès CC4S had gone, making way for the 1½-litre Aries CB4 and its successor the slightly bigger Ariès CC4N, current until 1934. The 4-cylinder, 10CV Ariès Super of 1934-1938 boasted a 2-speed rear axle.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; TRN

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