Gillet-Forest (France)

Sté des Automobiles Gillet-Forest was a French automobile manufacturer active from 1900 to 1907. The company was based in Saint Cloud, Seine, and was known for producing early motor vehicles that featured distinctive engineering designs. The first model introduced by Gillet-Forest was equipped with a 5-horsepower horizontal single-cylinder engine, which was notable for its innovative use of a three-speed gearbox and an aluminum oil bath for the drive system.

In 1902, the company expanded its lineup to include additional models with 9/10 horsepower and 12 horsepower engines, maintaining the horizontal engine configuration. The vehicles were characterized by their unique appearance, particularly the large, curved gilled-tube radiators that resembled steam car condensers. This design not only contributed to the aesthetic but also functioned to condense steam produced by the water jacket, making the Gillet-Forest one of the few water-cooled cars designed to operate at boiling temperatures.

Despite their initial success and fuel efficiency—demonstrated in trials where one vehicle consumed remarkably little fuel—the horizontal-engine models began to lose competitiveness by 1905. Consequently, the company shifted its focus to producing light vans and began to manufacture vehicles under license from other manufacturers. This included models with vertical engines sourced from the Belgian company Metallurgique, which offered a range of power outputs from 16 to 40 horsepower, utilizing chain drive for the larger models. Ultimately, the company ceased operations in 1907, marking the end of its brief but innovative presence in the early automotive industry.