Galba; Huascar

Galba-Huascar was a French automobile manufacturer that operated briefly from 1929 to 1931. The company was based in Courbevoie, Seine, and was founded by Marcel Violet, who was known for his advocacy of the 2-stroke engine. Prior to establishing Galba-Huascar, Violet had been involved in the production of several other car brands, including Violet Bogey, Major, Mourre, Sima-Violet, and Deguingand.

The Galba model, named after a Roman emperor, featured a 564cc 2-stroke vertical twin engine, a 2-speed gearbox, and shaft drive. Its design included front suspension using transverse leaf springs, a characteristic that Violet had employed in his previous automotive endeavors. The Galba was marketed as an affordable option, with a two-seater variant priced at approximately £75.

In 1931, the company introduced a successor model named Huascar, which retained a similar design but increased the engine capacity to 625cc. Despite its innovative engineering, Galba-Huascar ceased operations shortly after, marking a brief chapter in the history of early 20th-century French automotive manufacturing.