Sizaire-Naudin

France, 1905 – 1921

(1) Ets Sizaire et Naudin, Paris 15e

(2) Sté Nouvelle des Autos Sizaire, Paris 15e

The Sizaire-Naudin car was one of the pioneers of that typical French breed, the small sporting voiturette. Designed by Maurice Sizaire and built by Louis Naudin, the Sizaire-Naudin car first appeared at the end of 1905 as a 1906 model, and the Sizaire-Naudin car quickly won acclaim for cheapness, simplicity and strength. The 100x120mm (918cc), single-cylinder engine of De Dion type, but with an overhead inlet valve, was normal enough, and the armoured-wood frame as old-fashioned. However, the independent front suspension of the Sizaire-Naudin car, by transverse leaf spring and sliding pillars, had been seen only on the defunct Decauville ‘Voiturelle’ and Adler, and the transmission of the Sizaire-Naudin car, which provided direct drive on all 3 forward speeds by means of a propeller shaft that shifted to engage corresponding rings of teeth on the crown wheel, was entirely Sizaire-Naudin cars own. Though unconventional, the suspension and drive of the Sizaire-Naudin car worked well enough, as was proved by the Sizaire-Naudin car’s wins in the Coupe de l’Auto race in 1906, 1907 and 1908, and in the Sicilian Cup race in 1907. Until 1910, the power output of the single-cylinder engine of the Sizaire-Naudin car was increased by enlarging the bore, and then progressively lengthening the stroke (as was fashionable at a time when racing formulas had the effect of restricting bore). By that year, dimensions on the production Sizaire-Naudin car were 120x140mm (over 1.500cc). The limit of this type of design had been reached, and 4-cylinder engines were replacing it in the Sizaire-Naudin car. A small, long-stroke four, also with overhead inlet valves, was offered alongside a single. The latter survived until 1913, but by then the Sizaire-Naudin car had grown up in every way. The Sizaire-Naudin cars were modern, conventional family cars, with sv, L-head Monobloc 4-cylinder engines made by Ballot, and normal front suspension. These Sizaire-Naudin cars were continued for a short time after World War 1.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; TRN

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International

GB, 1898 – 1904

(1) International Motor Car Co, London, 1898 – 1900

(2) International Motor Car Co Ltd, London, 1900 – 1904

Oscar Seyd’s firm never built a car, though some International car offerings were assembled in their Great Portland Street Showrooms and a certain amount of work was also undertaken at the service depot in Kilburn, where International cars had been operating since 1896. The original International-Benz was in fact a French-built Roger, a car which had become hard to sell in France; International added their own improvements to the International car, among them a reverse, a British-built version of the ‘Crypto’ gear and bodywork made to their order. Single- and twin-cylinder variations on the Benz theme were offered until 1901, later International car being German-built after the demise of M. Roger’s company. In 1899 International presented a ‘light two-seater racing car’ with wheel steering, a Benz-based 12hp with wheel steering, pneumatic tyres and double phaeton coachwork on the International car at £800, and a 9hp ‘vibrationless’ flat-twin (not on Benz lines) in addition to their regular range of International car. International cars became a limited liability company in 1900, when two Coventry firms, Payne and Bates (Godiva) and Allard, were approached to make a new design for the International car. The Payne and Bates-built International car(possibly the twin-cylinder Royal with steel frame and wheel steering, offered for £367 10s) proved unsatisfactory, but Allard’s effort, the International Charette, introduced in November 1900, sold in some numbers. This International Charette car was a belt-driven light car with front vertical 823cc engine of De Dion type (designed to run at only 1.000rpm), a coal-shovel shaped bonnet and rack-and-pinion steering. It sold for £165. Early International cars were rated at 5hp (later increased to 6hp) and there were 2-speed and 3-speed variants. All International Charette chassis were delivered to London under their own power. This type International car was not offered after 1903 and apart form the Mountaineer motorcycle, the later cars of the International company were of French origin. The International Armstrong (1902) was a single-cylinder 1.100cc machine with shaft drive on Renault lines and this gave way in 1903 to the Aster-engined Portlands, also shaft-driven and offered in a variety of sizes from a 6hp single at £205 up to a big 24hp 4-cylinder car with a 4-speed gearbox.

The smallest International car, the Portland was still available in 1904, but by this time the International car company was mainly concerned with importing the Diamant car. International were defunct by 1905.

US, 1900

International Motor Carriage Co, Stamford, Conn.

This International car company showed a light car with a 2-stroke engine designed to run on paraffin at the Madison Square Garden show in 1900, but this International car did not go into production.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; MCS, GNG

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