All you need to know about ... Salmson
Born: 1921 Nationality: French and British
The industrial background of Salmson goes back to 1890 when Emile Salmson set up a factory in Paris to build pumps and later aero engines at Billancourt. That latter work made the firm its fortune during the first World War. The business also went into full aircraft production, which necessitated a new factory near Lyons.
At the same time in Britain, the Salmson aero factory was established at Raynes Park, near Wimbledon, to capitalise on the major expansion of private flying that followed the war.
After Salmson died, the other shareholders took control, giving the founder's family the original pump making business. It's still in operation today.
The Billancourt factory was given over to car manufacture, under the name Société des Moteurs Salmson. The vehicles at first were GN Cyclecars from Britain, built under licence from 1921, powered by a 1086cc engine. The Val 3 4-door cabriolet of 1923 had a separate three-piece windscreen for the rear-seat passengers.
Very quickly, sporting Salmsons were built, using a more powerful 1194cc engine, and, in the custom of the time, many were bodied by specialist carrissories.
The 1924 Grand Sport L, pictured here, was built by Basle-based coachbuilder Wenger for hill climb events and is still used in classic competition. The pointed rear which was a characteristic of the style was continued in similar special sports models right into the 1930s. The S4 series touring car was first built in 1929, initially with a 1300cc engine and, in 1932, a DOHC 1480cc unit, with 55bhp of power. Up to this time, Salmsons for the British market were imported from the French factory, but exchange rates were making this unviable.
The aero engine factory in Britain hadn't done the anticipated business and was turned over to building Salmsons for the British market, often with a number of differences. These included a Sport version of the S4C with 70bhp on tap.
In 1934, the S4D was introduced, with a stronger chassis, a 65bhp 1596cc engine and an inclined radiator which gave the car a rakish look. It was built in berline (coupé) cabrio and hardtop versions. The British variant, the 14hp, retained the vertical radiator. The series continued in a number of evolutions until 1938.
The S461 shown in 1938 was built in small numbers because of the outbreak of the second World War. With a 1730cc engine, and in more streamlined form, it was revived in 1947 and built right through 1952, latterly with hydraulic brakes, independent front suspension, and in saloon and convertible forms.
In addition, a larger S4E first produced in 1938 was also built after the war, with a 2328cc engine. A GT version in the early 1950s had a sleek and distinctive coupé shape, reminiscent of the Borgward Isabella, with a power output of 110bhp.
The 1950s were austere times in France. Many French car-makers disappeared, Salmson going in 1957. Its assets were bought by Renault.
The British Salmson company had already ceased making cars, after a limited number of its S6D series powered by a 2596cc engine, went out of production with the start of the second World War. Its only post-war activity was the development of a small motor for bicycles, the Cyclaid, which died with the company in the mid-1950s. The factory at Raynes Park was eventually turned into a parking lot.
BEST CAR: Aficionados generally agree on the S4C, built between 1934-1938. This writer's favourite is the post-war Randonee saloon, possibly one of the most beautiful cars ever built
WORST CAR: So carefully built, nobody is on record as complaining
WEIRDEST CAR: Never done.