Genestin (France) - AllCarIndex

Genestin was a French automobile manufacturer founded by Paul Genestin in Fourmies, Nord, in 1919. The company initially focused on restoring vehicles abandoned by the retreating German army during World War I. Following this, Genestin began assembling cars using 1.1-litre side-valve Fivet engines mounted on Malicet et Blin chassis. The bodies for these early models were produced by a neighboring company, Bastien. After producing approximately 15 vehicles, Genestin temporarily ceased operations.

In 1925, Genestin resumed car production after a visit to Paris, where he met M. Poyet, the maker of C.I.M.E. engines. This led to the introduction of a new range of cars powered by C.I.M.E. engines in three sizes: the 1098cc G7, the 1202cc G6, both of which featured pushrod overhead valves, and the 1494cc G5, which utilized a single overhead camshaft. The G5 powered short-chassis sports cars that competed in the Circuit des Routes Pavées, where Genestin achieved class victory in 1926. The company also produced heavier tourers and saloons, employing these engines along with a 1681cc C.I.M.E. side-valve six-cylinder engine.

Genestin's vehicles featured distinctive design elements, including slightly pointed radiators until 1927, when the company adopted a flatter radiator style similar to that of the Donnet. Some saloon models utilized Pegamoid fabric bodies, a more economical alternative to the Weymann design. The company implemented Perrot-Piganeau servo-assisted brakes, which were modified to Genestin's specifications. Two chassis lengths were available, with shorter versions typically used for sports cars and cabriolets, while longer versions accommodated saloons, tourers for up to eight passengers, and light trucks powered by the smaller engines.

In 1927, the 1094cc C.I.M.E. G7 was replaced by a 1093cc Chapuis-Domier engine, and a lowered sports model was introduced featuring a 1098cc S.C.A.P. engine, which could be equipped with a supercharger. Genestin had aspirations to develop a chassis powered by a 1808cc straight-eight S.C.A.P. engine; however, this model was likely never produced as the company ceased operations by the end of 1929.