GM (France) - AllCarIndex

Gendron et Compagnie was a French automobile manufacturer based in Paris, active from 1922 to 1928. The company was founded by partners Gendron and Michelot, who had previously been involved in the production of automotive components such as gearboxes, rear axles, and steering gears prior to World War I.

In 1922, Gendron et Compagnie announced a tourer model powered by either a 2815cc or a 3620cc four-cylinder T-head Janvier engine; however, this model did not enter production, with only one unit possibly being made for M. Gendron. The company began serious production in 1924 with the introduction of the GC1, a light car equipped with a 1098cc overhead valve C.I.M.E. engine, a three-speed gearbox, and available in both four- and five-seater tourer and saloon body styles. The bodies were primarily constructed from steel, although fabric options were available through specialist coachbuilders. By 1927, the GC1 offered a four-speed gearbox.

In 1928, the GC1 was updated to the GC3, featuring a slightly larger 1203cc engine, also from C.I.M.E. The GC2, produced only in 1925, was equipped with a 1494cc single overhead cam C.I.M.E. engine and had a longer wheelbase than the GC1. Gendron et Compagnie had a notable presence in motorsport, participating in events such as the Circuit des Routes Pavées and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as rallies like the Tour de France. Both founders actively drove their cars in these competitions, although Michelot tragically lost his life while testing a vehicle before the 1926 Le Mans race.

The last new model introduced by Gendron et Compagnie was the GC6, or G.M. Six, which was showcased at the 1927 Paris Salon. This model featured a 1215cc six-cylinder side-valve C.I.M.E. engine but was produced in smaller quantities compared to the four-cylinder variants. A distinctive characteristic of Gendron et Compagnie vehicles, shared with Chenard-Walcker, was the braking system that operated on the front wheels and the transmission, while the rear wheels remained unbraked. One of the notable owners of a second-hand GC1 was the prominent French historian Serge Pozzoli, marking the brand's legacy in automotive history.