Georges Irat (France, Morocco) - AllCarIndex

Georges Irat was a French automobile manufacturer founded in 1921 by Georges Irat, who had previously been associated with the production of the MAJOLA. The company initially operated from Chatou, Seine-et-Oise, before relocating to Neuilly and later to Levallois-Perret. The brand was known for producing a range of vehicles, including fast tourers and sports cars, until its cessation of production in 1953.

The first significant production of automobiles began in 1922, with the introduction of a fast tourer powered by a 1990cc overhead valve four-cylinder engine, designed by Maurice Gaultier, a former engineer at Delage. The company produced 150 cars in its first full year, with production numbers fluctuating in subsequent years. By the late 1920s, Georges Irat began to explore larger vehicles, including models powered by straight-eight Lycoming engines, which were produced in a new factory in Neuilly.

In 1935, the company experienced a revival with the introduction of the 6CV Georges Irat, a small sports car powered by an 1100cc Ruby engine. This model gained popularity, with approximately 1,500 units sold by 1939. The company also attempted to innovate with front-wheel-drive designs and introduced a new sports car in 1938, although production was interrupted by World War II. During the war, Georges Irat produced a number of small electric cars.

Post-war, the company showcased a new model at the 1946 Paris Salon, featuring an 1100cc flat-four engine and a magnesium alloy frame. However, this model never reached production. In 1950, Georges Irat shifted focus to a light Jeep-type vehicle called the VDB, produced in Casablanca, Morocco. This vehicle was powered by a rear-mounted Dyna Panhard engine and was accompanied by a matching trailer. Despite the introduction of a restyled version in 1953, the company ultimately ceased car production that same year.