Buc (France) - AllCarIndex

Bucciali was a French automobile manufacturer founded by the Bucciali brothers, Paul Albert and Angelo, in 1922. The company was based in Courbevoie, Seine, and operated until 1927. The brothers, of Corsican descent, were born in Arras and raised in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Paul, who was the designer, began developing the first Bucciali vehicle, a two-passenger roadster, in 1917. This initial model was powered by a prewar Ballot 4J 4-cylinder engine and featured a conventional ladder-type frame, parallel semi-elliptic springs, a three-speed gearbox, and rear-wheel brakes.

In November 1922, the Bucciali brothers introduced the AB-1 voiturette, which was equipped with a 1340cc parallel-twin 2-stroke engine designed by Marcel Violet. This engine produced 39 horsepower at 4500 rpm and was notable for its four-wheel brakes and a four-speed gearbox with overdrive. The company produced at least three AB-1 models between 1922 and 1923. Subsequently, they developed various models, including the AB-2 and AB-4, which featured different body styles and engine configurations.

The 1924 introduction of the 4-Speciale marked a significant moment in Bucciali's history, as it was a racing model powered by a 1479cc single overhead cam engine with a supercharger, generating 65 horsepower. However, the car's weight hindered its racing success. Throughout its early years, Bucciali struggled to secure solid contracts and primarily focused on selling designs to the automotive industry. By 1925, the company had produced around 100 chassis, which were fitted with various body styles, including saloons and delivery vans.

In 1926, Bucciali began experimenting with front-wheel drive technology, inspired by the performance of contemporary racing vehicles. The company developed prototypes featuring a 1709cc SCAP engine and innovative suspension designs. However, these prototypes did not progress to production. By 1928, the Bucciali brothers rebranded their vehicles, dropping the name "Buc" in favor of "Bucciali," marking a new direction for the company.