Brandt (France) - AllCarIndex

Brandt was a French automotive manufacturer based in Draveil, Seine-et-Oise, that operated briefly from 1948 to 1950. The company was initially involved in armaments manufacturing before transitioning to automobile production. It gained attention at the 1948 Paris Motor Show with the unveiling of the Brandt Rcine 1950, a vehicle that introduced several innovative design concepts.

The Brandt Rcine 1950 was notable for its unique design philosophy, which emphasized a layout where "everything" was positioned forward. This included a front-mounted engine and front-wheel drive, which were relatively uncommon at the time. The car featured a compact drivetrain that occupied only 4 percent of its total volume, powered by a 2-stroke, 780cc, 4-cylinder engine that included an additional four charging cylinders. This engine design utilized two horizontally opposed pistons in each main cylinder, along with oscillating plates and ball joints for the connecting rods and main shaft, producing a claimed output of 75 brake horsepower.

Further innovations included an epicyclic gearbox and magnetic clutch that were integrated with the engine in a transverse arrangement, providing six forward gears. The suspension system was fully independent, utilizing transverse parallel arms with rubber springing, while braking was managed by dual-circuit hydraulically-operated drum brakes. The vehicle's lightweight alloy wheels were designed to allow all four to steer. The aerodynamic bodywork of the Rcine 1950 was distinctive, lacking traditional side doors and instead offering access from both the front and rear, accommodating four passengers seated on either side of a central gangway. Despite its groundbreaking features, the Rcine 1950 was never brought to market.