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

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