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

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

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

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