Vallée

France, 1895 – 1901

Sté des Automobiles Vallée, Le Mans, Sarthe

Vallée was a bicycle maker, and his first Vallée car made its appearance at the 1895 Salon du Cycle. This Vallée car had a 4hp 2-cylinder horizontal engine, 4-speeds, chain final drive, and front wheels in a modified form of cycle forks. The headlamps of the Vallée car turned in the direction of the steering, surely the first example of this rare practice. By 1898 a range of Vallée cars was being made with 2-cylinder engines of 3, 4½ or 7hp, belt drive to a countershaft, and chain final drive. Bodies on the Vallée car ranged from a two-seater ‘racer’ to a six-seater brake. In 1899 appeared the curious racing Vallée car known as the ‘Slipper’ on account of its body shape. This Vallée car had a 4-cylinder engine, still horizontal, of 110x200mm (7.598cc). No gearbox was provided on the Vallée car, the engine being thought sufficiently powerful and flexible to avoid the need for one. Final drive was by a single wide belt to the rear axle. Driven by Dr. Lehwess, who later tried to drive a Panhard, ‘Le Passe Partout’, around the world, the Vallée car cometed in a number of events in 1899, its best result being 5th in the Paris-St. Malo race. Later Vallée carss used 2- or 4-cylinder horizontal engines, but of smaller size than that of the Slipper.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; GNG  

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