Alda (France) - AllCarIndex

Alda was a French automobile manufacturer active from 1912 to 1922, founded by Fernand Charron in Courbevoie, Seine. Charron, who was one of the founding partners of the C.G.V. company, had previously managed the Clement-Bayard works and held dealerships for various automotive brands. After acquiring the E.N.V. factory in 1912, he decided to re-enter the car manufacturing industry. Initially, he intended to name the vehicles after himself, but due to potential confusion with another brand, he opted for the name Alda, which stands for "Ah, la Delicieuse Automobile."

The first model produced by Alda was a 15 horsepower, 4-cylinder car featuring a 3176cc engine. Customers had the option of choosing between a Henriod rotary-valve engine and a conventional side-valve unit. Although the Henriod engine was soon abandoned due to reliability issues, the L-head engine continued to be produced until the outbreak of World War I. The cars were noted for their aesthetic appeal, characterized by a long wheelbase, wire wheels, and a Renault-style dashboard radiator. Alda offered a variety of body styles, including two-seaters, landaulets, and town cars.

In 1913, Charron entered two Alda cars in the Coupe de l’Auto, achieving a commendable sixth place. For the 1914 French Grand Prix, three cars equipped with 444cc single overhead cam 16-valve engines were entered, but all retired from the race. During World War I, Charron shifted focus to importing Federal trucks from the United States. After the war, in 1920, he launched a new model with a redesigned V-shaped radiator and a larger 3550cc engine. However, only a small number of these postwar cars were produced at the Farman factory before the company ceased operations in 1922.