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

Rauch & Lang

US, 1905 – 1928

(1) Rauch & Lang Carriage Co, Cleveland, Ohio, 1905 – 1916

(2) Baker, Rauch & Lang Co, Cleveland, Ohio, 1916 – 1922

(3) Rauch & Lang Electric Car Manufacturing Co, Chicopee Falls, Mass., 1922 – 1928

Rauch & Lang were an old-established carriage building firm (founded 1853) when they began to make electric Rauch & Lang cars in 1905. These Rauch & Lang cars followed the usual pattern for such electric vehicles, being mainly closed town cars, although a few open phaeton Rauch & Lang cars were also made. The biggest Rauch & Lang cars were heavier vehicles and included a six-seater limousine with separate outside seat for the chauffeur. Some Rauch & Lang cars had 4-doors, a very unusual feature in electric cars. In 1916 the Rauch & Lang cars became part of the Baker, Rauch & Lane group and production declined. From 1919 onwards the Rauch & Lang cars were sometimes listed as Raulangs, and from 1922 this became the official name of the Rauch & Lang cars.

By this time production of Rauch & Lang cars had been transferred to the Stevens-Duryea factory at Chicopee Falls where the number of private cars made was very small. The factory, which was still turning out a few Stevens-Duryeas, also made petrol and electric taxi-cabs under the name Rauch & Lang cars, and bodies for Stanley Steamers.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; GNG

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