Benjamin was a French manufacturer of cyclecars between 1921 and 1927 and based on the north-west edge of Paris.[1] 1927 was a year of changes which included a name change, and between 1927 and 1929 the company operated under a new name, Benova.[1]
The business started out with a range of cycle cars, identified as the Benjamin "Type A", Benjamin "Type B" and Benjamin "Type C", a two-seater coupé. The "Type A" was powered by a 4-cylinder unit of 751cc: it weighed less than 350 kg and therefore enjoyed the favourable tax treatment available to cyclecars. The "Type B" used a 2-cylinder 547cc engine, while the "Type C" was a sporty version of the "Type A", the volume of its 4-cylinder engine increased to 817cc.
In 1924 the smaller engined Benjamin was replaced by the "Type AR". It sat on a 2,100 mm (82.7 in) wheelbase and was powered by a rear-mounted 2-stroke twin cylinder 450cc[2] or 525cc[1] engine.
Thanks to the success of the early models the manufacturer broadened the range with a "Type P2" and a "Type P3", but these were less successful. The "Type P2" was built on a 2,300 mm (90.6 in) wheelbase and used a 2-stroke twin cylinder engine, of 550cc, and was produced from 1924.[2] The "Type P3" had a 2-stroke triple cylinder engine. The cylinders were the same size as on the "Type P2", but there were three of them and the engine capacity was given as 817cc. (Other sources quote engine sizes respectively of 750cc and 1125cc for the 2 and 3 cylinder "Type P2" and "Type P3" in 1924.[1]) In October 1924, at the 19th Paris Motor Show the manufacturer's listed prices started at 5,500 francs for a 2-seater "Type AR" cyclecar, while a Torpedo bodied 2-seater "Type P2" was listed at 8,900 francs.[2]
Restructuring and renamingedit
Following the construction of a second factory at 39 Rue de Paris in Gennevilliers the company launched a new range, powered by engines bought in from Chapuis-Dornier. The company was now restructured and renamed as Benova. With a rapid rise in consumer incomes during the mid-1920s the cyclecar era was coming to an end, and the manufacturer moved into production of standard-sized motor cars, including even one powered by an 8-cylinder engine - albeit a small one.
The "Benova Type B3" used a Chapuis-Dornier 4-cylinder side-valve engine of 0.95-litres and sat on a 2,450 mm (96.5 in) wheelbase. Standard bodies included a 2-seater Torpedo, a 4-seater Torpedo and a 2-seater coupé.[3]
The "Benova Type E2" used a Chapuis-Dornier 4-cylinder overhead-valve engine of 1.1-litres and sat on a 2,950 mm (116.1 in) wheelbase. Standard bodies included a "Torpedo de luxe" and a 4-door "conduite interieure souple" (sedan/saloon).[3]
Both B3 and E2 were also listed in "commercial" versions with a drop down opening hatch at the back and, according to one picture, a removable back seat.[3]
The "Benova Type G" used a S.C.A.P. 8-cylinder side-valve engine of 1402 cc (later, if briefly, increased to 1996cc) and sat on a 3,100 mm (122.0 in) wheelbase. Standard bodies listed included a "Torpedo grand luxe", a 4-door "conduite interieure souple" (sedan/saloon) and a cabriolet.[3]
Reading listedit
Harald Linz, Halwart Schrader: Die Internationale Automobil-Enzyklopädie. United Soft Media Verlag, München 2008, ISBN978-3-8032-9876-8. (German)
George Nick Georgano (Chefredakteur): The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. Volume 1: A–F. Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago 2001, ISBN1-57958-293-1. (English)
George Nick Georgano: Autos. Encyclopédie complète. 1885 à nos jours. Courtille, Paris 1975. (French)
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maurice Jeanson.
GTÜ Gesellschaft für Technische Überwachung mbH zu Benjamin (retrieved 23 March 2013)
GTÜ Gesellschaft für Technische Überwachung mbH zu Benova (retrieved 23 March 2013)
Sources and notesedit
^ abcdGeorgano, Nick (1968). The Complete Encyclopaedia of Motorcars 1885-1968. London: George Rainbird Ltd for Ebury Press Limited. p. 77.
^ abc"Automobilia". Toutes les voitures françaises 1925 (salon [Oct] 1924). 72. Paris: Histoire & collections: Page 60. 2005.
^ abcde"Automobilia". Toutes les voitures françaises 1929 (salon [Oct] 1928). 84. Paris: Histoire & collections: Page 60. 2006.
January 01, 1970
benjamin, automobile, benjamin, french, manufacturer, cyclecars, between, 1921, 1927, based, north, west, edge, paris, 1927, year, changes, which, included, name, change, between, 1927, 1929, company, operated, under, name, benova, benjamin, 1921, 1927, benova. Benjamin was a French manufacturer of cyclecars between 1921 and 1927 and based on the north west edge of Paris 1 1927 was a year of changes which included a name change and between 1927 and 1929 the company operated under a new name Benova 1 Benjamin 1921 1927 Benova 1927 1929 Benova Type B3 2 seater Sports 1927 IndustryWholesale Founded1921Defunct1929Fatereborn as Benova in 1927HeadquartersAsnieres FranceGennevilliers FranceKey peopleMaurice JeansonProductsCyclecarsAutomobiles The firm was established by Maurice Jeanson in Asnieres at 139 Boulevard Voltaire Contents 1 The cars 2 Restructuring and renaming 3 Reading list 4 External links 5 Sources and notesThe cars editThe business started out with a range of cycle cars identified as the Benjamin Type A Benjamin Type B and Benjamin Type C a two seater coupe The Type A was powered by a 4 cylinder unit of 751cc it weighed less than 350 kg and therefore enjoyed the favourable tax treatment available to cyclecars The Type B used a 2 cylinder 547cc engine while the Type C was a sporty version of the Type A the volume of its 4 cylinder engine increased to 817cc In 1924 the smaller engined Benjamin was replaced by the Type AR It sat on a 2 100 mm 82 7 in wheelbase and was powered by a rear mounted 2 stroke twin cylinder 450cc 2 or 525cc 1 engine Thanks to the success of the early models the manufacturer broadened the range with a Type P2 and a Type P3 but these were less successful The Type P2 was built on a 2 300 mm 90 6 in wheelbase and used a 2 stroke twin cylinder engine of 550cc and was produced from 1924 2 The Type P3 had a 2 stroke triple cylinder engine The cylinders were the same size as on the Type P2 but there were three of them and the engine capacity was given as 817cc Other sources quote engine sizes respectively of 750cc and 1125cc for the 2 and 3 cylinder Type P2 and Type P3 in 1924 1 In October 1924 at the 19th Paris Motor Show the manufacturer s listed prices started at 5 500 francs for a 2 seater Type AR cyclecar while a Torpedo bodied 2 seater Type P2 was listed at 8 900 francs 2 Restructuring and renaming editFollowing the construction of a second factory at 39 Rue de Paris in Gennevilliers the company launched a new range powered by engines bought in from Chapuis Dornier The company was now restructured and renamed as Benova With a rapid rise in consumer incomes during the mid 1920s the cyclecar era was coming to an end and the manufacturer moved into production of standard sized motor cars including even one powered by an 8 cylinder engine albeit a small one At the 22nd Paris Motor Show in October 1928 Benova were exhibiting three models 3 The Benova Type B3 used a Chapuis Dornier 4 cylinder side valve engine of 0 95 litres and sat on a 2 450 mm 96 5 in wheelbase Standard bodies included a 2 seater Torpedo a 4 seater Torpedo and a 2 seater coupe 3 The Benova Type E2 used a Chapuis Dornier 4 cylinder overhead valve engine of 1 1 litres and sat on a 2 950 mm 116 1 in wheelbase Standard bodies included a Torpedo de luxe and a 4 door conduite interieure souple sedan saloon 3 Both B3 and E2 were also listed in commercial versions with a drop down opening hatch at the back and according to one picture a removable back seat 3 dd The Benova Type G used a S C A P 8 cylinder side valve engine of 1402 cc later if briefly increased to 1996cc and sat on a 3 100 mm 122 0 in wheelbase Standard bodies listed included a Torpedo grand luxe a 4 door conduite interieure souple sedan saloon and a cabriolet 3 dd Reading list editHarald Linz Halwart Schrader Die Internationale Automobil Enzyklopadie United Soft Media Verlag Munchen 2008 ISBN 978 3 8032 9876 8 German George Nick Georgano Chefredakteur The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile Volume 1 A F Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers Chicago 2001 ISBN 1 57958 293 1 English George Nick Georgano Autos Encyclopedie complete 1885 a nos jours Courtille Paris 1975 French External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maurice Jeanson GTU Gesellschaft fur Technische Uberwachung mbH zu Benjamin retrieved 23 March 2013 GTU Gesellschaft fur Technische Uberwachung mbH zu Benova retrieved 23 March 2013 Sources and notes edit a b c d Georgano Nick 1968 The Complete Encyclopaedia of Motorcars 1885 1968 London George Rainbird Ltd for Ebury Press Limited p 77 a b c Automobilia Toutes les voitures francaises 1925 salon Oct 1924 72 Paris Histoire amp collections Page 60 2005 a b c d e Automobilia Toutes les voitures francaises 1929 salon Oct 1928 84 Paris Histoire amp collections Page 60 2006 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Benjamin automobile amp oldid 1220605148, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
