Auto Simplette (France) - AllCarIndex

Auto Simplette was a French manufacturer of miniature cyclecars for children, active briefly between 1912 and 1913. Founded by Pierre Pestourie in Paris, the brand showcased its innovative designs at the 1912 Paris Salon, where it presented two models, including the Auto Simplette and the BABY AUTO.

The Auto Simplette was notable for its unconventional design, featuring a tiny 2-stroke engine that powered a 2-foot, 2-bladed propeller located within a wire cage at the rear of the vehicle. This unique propulsion system allowed the car to reach a maximum speed of 5 mph (8 km/h). The engine was reportedly governed to prevent the vehicle from exceeding this speed, even on downhill slopes, although the mechanics of this limitation were not detailed.

The braking system of the Auto Simplette was rudimentary, consisting of a shoe that acted on one of the solid rear tires. Pierre Pestourie's involvement in the cyclecar industry may have also linked him to the later PESTOURIE ET PLANCHON cyclecar, indicating a continued interest in small vehicle design.