Lacoste et Battmann

France, 1897 – 1913

(1) Lacoste et Battman, Paris, 1897 – 1905

(2) Lacoste et Battman Ltd, Paris, 1905 – 1913

The Lacoste et Battman firm seldom sold cars under their own name, preferring to supply complete vehicles (and components) to other ‘manufacturers’, including several in England. Thus the Lacoste et Battman car products were marketed under such aliases as Napoleon (1903), Régal (1903), Gamage (1903), Speedwell (1904), Cupelle (1905), Lacoba (1906) and Simplicia (1910). Some, but not all models of Jackson in the 1905-1906 period are also clearly of Lacoste origin. The diversity of types offered indicates that specification was tailored to the trade client’s requirements.

The first Lacoste et Battmann car was a 4hp motor Lacoste et Battman quadricycle with electric ignition offered in 1897, and by 1902 the Lacoste et Battman car company had progressed to conventional voiturettes with Aster or Mutel engines, marketed as the ‘L and B’ by H. Cintrat, a dealer with premises both in Paris and in London. A good selection of Lacoste et Battman car models was available in 1903, smallest of which was a 6hp single-cylinder runabout styled in the manner of a De Dion Bouton, with underslung radiator, 3-speed gearbox and shaft drive, which cost £195. Bigger 12hp Lacoste et Battman cars resembled the smaller Panhards and had 2-cylinder De Dion engines, while later in 1903 a 24hp 4-cylinder Lacoste et Battman car with a Mutel engine was available. In 1904 a tubular-framed 700cc Lacoste et Battman single could be bought for about £125, and a year later Régal, Speedwell and Jackson cars were being advertised as ‘built on the Lacoste principles!’. Like Darracq, the Lacoste et Battman car company was now British-registered and though Lacoste et Battman cars were still made with armoured wood as well as steel frames, all the Lacoste et Battman cars sold in Britain had mechanically-operated inlet valves and rounded radiators. Over the next two seasons the choice of Lacoste et Battman cars was wide, including the singles, a 10hp 2-litre twin, a fairly small L-head 2½-litre four and two bigger fours of 3.3-litres and 4.9-litres. Though pair-cast engines were found on some of the 4-cylinder machines, a 12/16hp Lacoste et Battman car exhibited at Manchester in 1906 had separate cylinders. Single-cylinder Lacoste et Battman cars ran (under their own name) in voiturette races sponsored by L’Auto in 1905 and 1907, René Thomas being one of the drivers of a Lacoste et Battman car on the former occasion. During the 1905 – 1907 period the Lacoste et Battman car firm was said to be making a wide range with De Dion or Aster engines: in 1907, there were three Lacoste et Battman cars with singles, a twin and two fours, with ratings from 4½hp to 24hp, and prices between 2.350fr and 10.000fr. Light electric Lacoste et Battman cars were also said to be available. The Lacoste et Battman car company was reported defunct in 1909, but a year later had staged a comeback with the Lacoste et Battman Simplicia, which used a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder Aster engine in a tubular backbone chassis with transverse front suspension and central gearchange. This Lacoste et Battman car was on the British market at £320 and was still being made two years later, but by 1913 Lacoste et Battman cars were out of business.

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