Bellanger (France) - AllCarIndex

The Automobiles Bellanger, officially known as Ste des Automobiles Bellanger, was a French automobile manufacturer based in Neuilly-sur-Seine. Founded in 1912 by Robert Bellanger, who had previously engaged in the motor trade by selling Delaunay-Belleville and Westinghouse cars, the company produced vehicles until around 1925. Bellanger's early offerings included medium-sized cars powered by 2.6- or 3.3-litre four-cylinder English Daimler sleeve-valve engines, followed by a 2-litre engine similar to that used in the BSA Stoneleigh, and a 6.3-litre six-cylinder engine that powered the Daimler 38hp in England.

During World War I, the company diversified its production to include aircraft, armored cars, and agricultural equipment. Bellanger also acquired the SA des Chantiers Naval de l’Ouest in St Malo, which manufactured various sea and river craft. After the war, the company continued to operate in these sectors while also producing automobiles. In 1919, Bellanger focused on a conventional car powered by a 3181cc four-cylinder side-valve American Briscoe engine, which featured wooden wheels. Approximately 2,000 units of this model, known as the Al, were produced, with some serving as taxicabs in Paris.

The later models designed by ex-Spyker engineer Valentin Laviolette included larger vehicles with 4253cc four-cylinder or 6362cc V8 engines, featuring advanced designs such as transverse horizontal valves and cantilever rear suspension. Despite their innovative engineering, production of Bellanger vehicles declined, and the company ceased operations around 1923, although some records indicate activity continued until 1925. In that year, the factory was sold to Peugeot, which subsequently transferred ownership to Rosengart three years later. The Bellanger name briefly resurfaced in 1928 when De Dion-Bouton marketed some of their 1.3-litre Model JPs under the Bellanger Model BI name, but this venture lasted less than a year. Robert Bellanger later transitioned into politics and spent his retirement restoring a historic chateau, utilizing a vehicle of his own design made from components of various Bellanger cars.