GAR (France) - AllCarIndex

GAR. was a French automobile manufacturer that operated from 1922 to 1934. Founded by M. Gardahaut, the company initially produced cyclecars in Clichy, Seine. The brand's name derived from the first three letters of Gardahaut's surname. GAR. began its production with a 2-cylinder engine and gradually evolved into manufacturing small sports cars, utilizing engines from various suppliers, including C.I.M.E., S.CAP., and Chapuis-Domier.

The vehicles produced by GAR. were designed to comply with different racing regulations, featuring engine sizes that ranged from 840cc to 1095cc. Notably, the 1095cc engine was an overhead valve unit from Chapuis-Domier, which was employed in GAR. cars that participated in the prestigious Le Mans race. Additionally, the company offered a 1492cc straight-8 engine from S.CAP.

In 1928, the collapse of Chapuis-Domier, primarily due to the failure of their major customer, prompted M. Gardahaut to develop his own engines. At the 1929 Paris Salon, GAR. introduced a new 770cc 4-cylinder single overhead cam engine, which was paired with a 4-speed gearbox. This model retained the transverse semi-elliptic front spring design characteristic of earlier GAR. vehicles. Another engine introduced was a 1375cc straight-8, also featuring a single overhead cam, but it utilized a gear-driven system instead of the vertical shaft found in the smaller engine.

GAR. offered various body styles, including sports bodies with staggered seating and longer wheelbase touring bodies, as well as cabriolets and saloons. However, it is believed that not all of these variants were produced. Ultimately, the company faced dwindling production numbers and ceased operations in 1934. A small number of straight-8 engines remained after the closure, which were later acquired by J. Pipaulr for use in a vehicle he named the J.P.