Fouillaron (France) - AllCarIndex

G. Fouillaron was a French automobile manufacturer based in Levallois-Perret, Seine, that operated from 1900 until the onset of World War I. The company was founded by Gustav Fouillaron, who initially started his business with a bicycle shop in Angers in 1899. In 1900, he patented a unique transmission system that became a hallmark of his vehicles. This system utilized belts running over expandable pulleys, a design that would later be echoed in automotive technology by companies such as Daf.

The early models produced by Fouillaron featured conventional designs and utilized proprietary engines. In 1902, the company offered a range of light cars powered by single-cylinder De Dion-Bouton engines, including a 6-horsepower two-seater and an 8-horsepower four-seater tonneau. The lineup also included a 12-horsepower two-cylinder model with a Roi-des-Belges tourer body, as well as three four-cylinder variants with outputs of 12, 16, and 24 horsepower. The largest engine in this range was sourced from Bucher.

By 1904, Fouillaron introduced honeycomb radiators and Malicet et Blin steering gear, and soon after, shaft final drive became standard on the larger models. Between 1906 and 1908, the company adopted round radiators, and some models featured diagonally mounted engines and transmissions, with the propeller shaft driving one rear wheel. By 1910, shaft drive was universally adopted across the lineup. The final years of production before the war saw a diverse array of models, including an 8-horsepower 1-litre single and a 16/20-horsepower 3.7-litre four-cylinder. Notably, the only six-cylinder model offered was the 2.8-litre 15/18-horsepower variant. The bodies for the larger cars were crafted by Vicart, a neighboring company.

In addition to automobiles, the Fouillaron company also manufactured variable speed systems, which were presumably based on the same principles as those used in their cars. These systems found applications in various industries, including paper, chocolate, cement, earthenware, and pottery.