Alexandre Darracq

Alexandre Darracq ( born November 10, 1855 in Bordeaux, † 1931 in Monte Carlo ) was a French entrepreneur, one of the pioneers of the automotive industry.

Darracq trained as a technical draftsman. In 1891 he founded the Société Gladiator his first company with which he produced bicycles, from 1894 the bike of Millet. Already in this company, he busied himself constructing automobiles. After five years, he sold the company at a profit to a consortium led by Adolphe Clément.

A little later he founded the company Automobiles Darracq SA in Suresnes, near Paris. In 1904, he presented her already about 10 % of the French automobile production.

Automobiles Darracq S. A. ( French law ), he transformed in 1905 into a company under English law to. The name was A. Darracq & Company (1905 ) Limited.

Darracq vehicles successfully took part in various racing events. The company expanded partly through license production to other European countries. Opel in Germany was one of the partners. In Italy he founded in 1907 together with Cavaliere Ugo Stella Italiana Automobili Darracq, the Società that initially produced automobiles in Naples and then in Portello in Milan. This company is considered the predecessor company was founded in 1910 company Alfa Romeo.

1912 Alexandre Darracq sold its French company to a British investor group. This resulted in 1920, the company Sunbeam - Talbot - Darracq, which was after bankruptcy part of the Rootes Group in 1935. His last shares in Alfa Romeo, he sold in 1915., He invested his fortune then outside of automobile. So Darracq was temporarily assigned to the casino in Deauville involved. Also at the famous Hotel Negresco in Nice, he held significant interests. He spent his retirement years on the French Riviera.

His grave is located in Paris's famous Père Lachaise Cemetery in the family tomb next to his wife Louise ( 1850-1920 ).

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