Esculape (France) - AllCarIndex

Esculape was a French automobile manufacturer established in 1899 in Paris. The company was named after Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine, reflecting a focus on innovation and engineering in the automotive field.

The brand specialized in producing very light voiturettes, which were small, lightweight cars designed for efficiency and ease of use. One of the notable features of Esculape vehicles was their 2.25 horsepower De Dion-Bouton engine. This engine was characterized by an air-cooled cylinder head and a water-cooled block, which contributed to its performance and reliability.

Esculape's design included a tubular frame with the engine mounted at the rear, positioned behind the rear axle. The vehicle utilized a 2-speed gearbox, and the drive was transmitted forward through bevel gears to a constant-mesh gearbox. This setup allowed for effective power delivery to the rear wheels via side chains, a design choice that was common in early automotive engineering.

Although Esculape did not achieve long-term prominence in the automotive industry, its contributions to the development of lightweight vehicles in the early days of motoring reflected the innovative spirit of the era.