Claveau (France) - AllCarIndex

Automobiles Claveau was a French automobile manufacturer founded by Emile Claveau in Paris. Claveau, born in 1892, was known for his inventive spirit in the automotive field, although his ventures resulted in limited commercial success. The company operated in two distinct periods: from 1926 to 1934 and again from 1946 to 1956.

The brand first gained attention in 1926 with the introduction of the Autobloc, a light car featuring a rear-mounted 1100cc flat-four engine and a monocoque frame. This model showcased advanced engineering for its time, including Lancia Lambda-type all-independent suspension. Claveau exhibited the Autobloc at the Brussels Show in December 1926 and later at the Paris Salon in October 1927, where he presented variations of the model, including a streamlined saloon. Despite ambitious claims of top speeds reaching 75 mph (120 km/h) for the Standard model and 85 mph (140 km/h) for the Special model, the cars did not achieve significant sales.

In 1930, Claveau shifted his design philosophy to front-engine, front-wheel-drive configurations, introducing a 750cc 2-stroke V-twin engine. This new design included a light delivery van, which was proposed to be built in England, although it is unclear if it ever materialized. Throughout the early 1930s, Claveau continued to develop front-drive vehicles, including the 1123cc Type C, but none of these models gained traction in the market.

After a hiatus, Claveau returned to the automotive scene in 1946 with the Descartes saloon, which featured a 2292cc V8 engine, front-wheel drive, and a streamlined body with a low drag coefficient of 0.34. Although the Descartes was showcased at various auto shows, including Paris and Geneva, Claveau struggled to bring the vehicle to production due to a lack of manufacturing facilities. His final appearance at an auto show occurred in 1955 with the Claveau 56, a 2-door saloon powered by a 996cc 3-cylinder DKW engine. Despite its aerodynamic design, the Claveau 56 also failed to attract a manufacturer willing to produce it.

Overall, Automobiles Claveau's legacy is characterized by innovative designs and engineering concepts that, while ahead of their time, did not translate into commercial viability.