Gladiator (France) - AllCarIndex

Société Gladiator was established in 1891 by Paul Aucoq and Alexandre Darracq in Pré Saint-Gervais, France, initially focusing on bicycle manufacturing. The company gained significant success, which led to a buyout in 1896 by a British syndicate that included Harvey Du Cros and Ernest Hooley. This acquisition resulted in the formation of Clement, Gladiator & Humber (France) Ltd., which expanded the product line to include motorcycles and light automobiles.

The early automobiles produced by Gladiator were small voiturettes equipped with rear-mounted 4hp single-cylinder engines. By 1899, the design evolved to feature front-mounted Aster engines, available in 2.5hp and 3.5hp configurations, and utilized a 2-speed gearbox with chain drive to the rear axle. These vehicles were noted for their compact design and were marketed under both the Gladiator and Clement names, the latter being associated with Adolphe Clément until his departure in 1903.

By 1903, the Gladiator factory was producing over 1,000 cars annually, with a significant portion of sales occurring in England. The range of vehicles included various models, from basic twin-cylinder cars to more advanced four-cylinder options. By 1906, all engines featured mechanically-operated valves, and the lineup included models with both armoured wood and steel frames. In 1908, Gladiator announced a collaboration with Austin for certain models, although it is believed that none were ultimately produced.

In 1909, Gladiator was acquired by Vinot et Deguingand, leading to a shift in production to the Vinot works in Puteaux. Following this transition, Gladiator vehicles became nearly indistinguishable from Vinot models, although some six-cylinder variants retained the Gladiator branding. The company continued to produce vehicles until 1920, after which the Gladiator name was phased out, while Vinot continued operations for several more years.