Mitchell

US, 1903 – 1923

(1) Mitchell Motor Car Co, Racine, Wisc., 1903 – 1910

(2) Mitchell-Lewis Motor Co, Racine, Wisc., 1910 – 1916

(3) Mitchell Motors Co Inc, Racine, Wisc., 1916 – 1923

Mitchell and Lweis had been wagon builders since 1834, and their first Mitchell car was a light two-seater powered by a 7hp air-cooled 2-cylinder engine, using single chain drive, and priced at $1.200. In 1905 a 9hp engine was used on the Mitchell car, and air or water cooling was available. 4-cylinder engines of 18 and 30hp appeared in the 1906 Mitchell car range, and in 1907 shaft drive was employed on all Mitchell car models. Until 1910, 20 and 35hp fours were made, having pair-cast cylinders in 1910 when they were joined by a 50hp 6-cylinder Mitchell car. In 1913 a new range of T-head engines was introduced in a Mitchell car designed by René Petard and known as the ‘American-built French car’. A 40hp four and 50 and 60hp sixes were made in this Mitchell car range, which had high-cowled torpedo-style bodies and electric starters. Piston strokes were very long at 7 inches. At this time it was said that the Mitchell car company made 96% of all components. In 1916 a short-lived Mitchell 48hp V8 was made, and the following year the Mitchell car company settled down to making a range of conventional sixes of no great distinction. In 1920 a sloping radiator gave rise to the epithet, ‘the drunken Mitchell’ and this was hastily replaced by a vertical radiator for 1921. However, the company had lost a lot of money on their 1920 Mitchell car models, and few of the redesigned Mitchell cars were sold, as they lacked any distinctive qualities.

The 6-cylinder engines of the Mitchell car had acapacity of 4.7-litres. After production ceased in 1923, the Mitchell car factory was bought by Nash.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; GNG

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Pilain

France, 1902 – 1920

SA des Automobiles Pilain, Lyons

François Pilain made his first Pilain cars, with 2- and 4-cylinder engines, in 1902, but had dropped the twin in his Pilain car by 1904. The drive of the Pilain car was independent of the rear axle, but two shafts to internally-toothed rings, with a dead axle beneath. The principle on the Pilain car was the same as that used by De Dion, the aim being to allow the axle to move in relation to the frame without recourse to chain drive. The engines of the Pilain car had side valves in a T-head, and there were 4 forward speeds. Round radiators and low-tension magneto ignition were featured, and 1906 Pilain cars came in 4.1-litre and 8.6-litre sizes, both with 4-cylinder engines. High-tension ignition and pressure lubrication followed on Pilain cars in 1908. There was a 1.9-litre Pilain car with monobloc engine in 1909, and a small 2.4-litre six in 1912. A wide 1913 range Pilain cars covered everything from a 1-litre lightweight up to 6.3-litres, including an ultra-long-stroke 4.2-litre (85x185mm) four. The Pilain car was an expensive if excellent machine that did not long outlive World War 1 in its original form. The Pilain car was then developed into the extraordinary S.L.I.M.

France, 1930 – 1935

E. Pilain, Levallois-Perret, Seine

Emile Pilain, who had been responsible for the original Rolland-Pillain, produced a light Pilain car on his own account in 1930 for the mass market. This Pilain car was a 919cc, watercooled sv four, with a 3-speed gearbox and Perrot brakes. It was rated at 5CV, and in 1932 there was also a 1.2-litre version Pilain car with free wheel.

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