Automobilette [2] (France) - AllCarIndex

Automobilette was a French automobile brand that operated from 1911 to 1924. The company initially began as Coignet et Ducruzel in Billancourt, Seine, from 1911 to 1915, before transitioning to Constructions d’Automobile de Bellevue in Bellevue, Seine-et-Oise, from 1919 until its closure in 1924.

The Automobilette was recognized as one of the more prominent French cyclecars of its time, closely resembling its competitor, the Bedelia. The pre-war models of Automobilette distinguished themselves by featuring doors, which were not available on the Bedelia. Both vehicles had tandem seating for two, with the driver positioned in the rear seat, although the Automobilette also offered a monocar variant. The engine options included a 6/8 horsepower twin, and the final drive was accomplished through belts. The chassis design was underslung, utilizing inverted semi-elliptic springs, similar to the American Underslung, and featured a distinctive bullnose radiator.

In 1914, the models offered a choice between a 6 horsepower Anzani twin engine or a 10 horsepower Automobilette four-cylinder engine, still employing beltdrive. However, in the summer of 1914, the company introduced a proper light car equipped with a four-cylinder engine, shaft drive, and side-by-side seating. This layout continued in the post-war Automobilette models, which utilized proprietary engines, including a 1095cc Ruby or a 1243cc Altos. Production took place at a new factory located on a hill, which contributed to the Automobilette's notable hill-climbing capabilities. The vehicles were sometimes referred to as C.A.B. Automobilettes.