D.F.P.

France, 1906 – 1926

Doriot, Flandrin et Parant, Courbevoie, Seine

Doriot and Flandrin had worked for Clément-Bayard and Peugeot, and their first products were straightforward shaft-driven single-cylinder voiturettes with transverse rear suspension, sold as Doriot-Flandrins until Parant arrived to complete the triumvirate. The singles DFP cars were still being marketed with 1100cc engines as late as 1910, but the 1908 DFP car range already included two 4-cylinder cars with sv Chapuis-Dornier engines of 2.4-litres and 2.8-litres capacity. By 1910 there was a small DFP four, the very successful DFP 10/12hp of 1.6-litres, with L-head Monobloc engine, magneto ignition, thermos-syphon cooling, cone clutch and 3-speed gearbox. There was also a DFP 25/30hp 6-cylinder car in 1911. In 1912 DFP started to make their own engines the ‘DFP 10/12’ being joined by an excellent 2-litre ‘DFP 12/15’ with pressure lubcrication, 3-bearing crankshaft and 4-speed gearbox, capable of 2500rpm and 55mph. Further, the British concession was acquired by the brothers W.O. and H.M. Bentley, who ran the ‘12/15’ in competitions; by the end of 1913 a specially prepared example of the DFP car had been timed of the half-mile at 89.70mph. Nothing, however, could be done with the DFP 16/22hp, a 2.8-litre (later 3-litre) machine with pair-cast cylinders and poor performance. In 1914 came the sporting DFP 12/40hp with V-radiator and electrics: for this model the Bentleys persuaded D.F.P. to fit aluminium pistons, as a consequence of which a 65mph performance was available for only £320. W.O. Bentley finished 6th in that year’s T.T., an excellent effort for a 2-litre car competing against specialized 3.3-litre machines.
DFP never recovered fully from World War 1 and Bentley’s decision to set up as a manufacturer in his own right meant that the DFP car company lost its best export market. A DFP 12/15hp chassis now cost £675 as against £290 in 1914. Failing finances forced the DFP company to use proprietary engines, Altos for the 2-litre models, and a Sergant in the ‘10/12’, which went American in 1922 with central change and coil ignition, but reverted to a magneto in 1923. 1922 ‘DFP 12/40s’ had 4-wheel brakes, and a year later this model was supplanted by an ohv 4-speed ‘13/50’, once again with a DFP-built engine. At the same time the DFP company marketed the little D.F.Petite, a sporting machine in the Amilcar idiom, with an ohv 1100cc engine, 3-speed gearbox, quarter-elliptic springing all round and a back axle without differential. This DFP car had front-wheel brakes by 1925, but a year later production had ceased, the DFP car factory being acquired by the Lafitte concern.

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

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