On the market: a rare French Benova light car

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Who's come across a Benova before? Not many people, we'd wager, but if we tell you that it was simply a Benjamin by another name then it may be more familiar. The short-lived Benjamin marque was established in 1921 by Maurice Jeanson of Asnières, and is known for its range of sometimes unorthodox cyclecars it manufactured throughout the '20s with twin- and four-cylinder, two- and four-stroke engines.

Towards the end of its life, its products were generally more conventional. In 1927, the marque was suddenly renamed Benova and its two models both used four-stroke, four-cylinder Chapuis-Dornier engines of 930 and 1095cc. They were joined by a remarkably small straight-eight of 1402 and latterly 1996cc, but Jeanson's motor-making enterprise did not survive beyond 1929.

A very original survivor

Naturally, it isn't often that a Benova appears for sale, but we've found this lovely example residing in rural Burgundy, which is surely the natural habitat for such a car. It's a very late model from 1929, with the 1095cc Chapuis-Dornier engine.

Described as being in good, running order, it is in really lovely condition with what looks to be its original interior and bodywork which sports a characterful patina. A car this charming and unusual will draw scores of admirers wherever it goes, and we can see it motoring happily at the VSCC Light Car & Edwardian Section's Welsh Weekend or at Vintage Montlhéry.

It looks so at home, though, among the old stone buildings of rural France, that it might just be a bit of a shame to expatriate it, and we're sure it would make a great village runabout. Of course, where you go with it is up to you, just be sure to preserve its lovely condition.

The Benova is priced at €13,500 (approx. £11,630) and the vendor may be open to a part-exchange.

Words: Zack Stiling
 

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