Alma (France) - AllCarIndex

Alma was a French automobile manufacturer that operated briefly from 1926 to 1927. The company was founded by aviation engineer Vaslin and his associate Maurice Coquet in Courbevoie, Seine. The name "Alma" is derived from the initials of "Automobiles Legdres et Moteurs d’Aviation," reflecting Vaslin's background in aircraft engines.

The first model produced by Alma was a low-built coupé, which featured a 1640cc pushrod overhead valve engine. This innovative engine design included two inlet valves and one exhaust valve per cylinder, with separate ports and induction systems for each inlet valve. At lower speeds, only one inlet valve was operational, while both valves engaged at higher revs. Initially, the car was equipped with only two forward speeds, but this was later upgraded to a larger 1850cc engine and a three-speed gearbox due to performance considerations.

During its short production run, Alma manufactured approximately a dozen cars in 1927. The company also supplied engines to other manufacturers, including Harris, Leon Laisne, Rally, and Citroën. However, Alma ceased operations by the end of 1927. In 1928, a final vehicle was produced, which was not officially an Alma due to the company's closure. This car featured a 2460cc straight-eight engine and a four-door saloon body, capable of reaching speeds of 86 mph (138 km/h). The vehicle survived at least until 1951. After Alma's closure, Vaslin continued his work in aeronautics, designing a motorscooter in 1941 and later working for Matra from 1945.