d'Aoust (Belgium) - AllCarIndex

Automobiles J. d'Aoust was a Belgian automobile manufacturer founded by Jules d’Aoust in the early 20th century. The company operated primarily in Anderlecht, a suburb of Brussels, from 1912 until its closure in 1927. Initially, d'Aoust produced small cars powered by French-built engines from manufacturers such as Aster, Chapuis-Dornier, and Decolonge.

In 1914, the company began developing its own engine, a 1,857 cc 10/14 CV four-cylinder side-valve unit, which powered a light car produced in limited quantities. This model achieved several sporting successes, enhancing the brand's reputation in the automotive community. After a brief hiatus due to World War I, d'Aoust resumed production in 1919 at a new factory nearby, introducing the 12/14 model, followed by a 3,052 cc 16 hp variant known as the Circuit de Corse, designed for competition use.

Throughout the early 1920s, the company focused on the 12/14 model, while also introducing a slightly larger short-chassis sport model in 1922, featuring front-wheel brakes. In 1923, d'Aoust launched two new small cars: the 6/8 CV, equipped with a 1,093 cc engine, and the 8 CV, with a 1,098 cc engine. Both models were available in sports versions, catering to a growing interest in performance vehicles.

In 1924, a notable event occurred when racing driver Arthur Duray piloted a d’Aoust car powered by a 9.4-litre Hispano-Suiza V8 aero engine, although this was a unique special rather than a production model. The 10/14 CV continued to be produced until the company's closure in 1927, alongside the two smaller models. In a bid to diversify its offerings, Jules d'Aoust also introduced two commercial vehicles during the final years of production: a 750 kg van and a 2-ton truck.