Charron, Girardot et Voigt

C.G.V. was a French manufacturer of automobiles from Puteaux, who served 1901-1906. In 1906 it, Automobiles Charron.

Fernand Charron, Leonce Girardot and Carl Voigt, all three were able to look back on a career as a cycling and racing driver for the brand Panhard & Levassor, began its activities as car designers in 1901 with a four-cylinder model with 3300 cc and chain drive - a construction the great similarity had with those of their former employer.

Race

Because all three founders were able to look back on an active racing career, it was obvious to build sports cars and take part in races. In 1902 took part Girardot with a 9.9 -liter CGV race car in the Coupe Gordon Bennett, but had to retire prematurely. In the same year constructed C.G.V. the first eight-cylinder in-line engine for an automobile at all. The racing engine for the 1903 Grand Prix season had a displacement of 7.2 liters and T- head valve control. The race car has been designed with no gearbox .. After an accident, the Girardot suffered in preparation for Coupe Gordon Bennett 1905, withdrew the brand of automobile racing.

American C.G.V.

Behind the general representation of the brand for the U.S. and Canada was the Smith & Mabley Company in New York, the models of various European brands sold in the USA. This company built from 1902 to 1903 the C.G.V. as " American C.G.V. " licenses in order to avoid high import duties. The automobile was available only as a five -seater tonneau. Nevertheless, the price was U.S. $ 5,500. This belonged to the American C.G.V. of the most expensive automobiles in the United States. Was advertised the vehicle as " The Only Authorized French Machine In This Country", which was referred to the fact that the leading French manufacturer at this time were often copied by U.S. trademarks.

The bodies provided JN Quinby in Newark (New York), were assembled the vehicles in the Rome Locomotive Works in Rome ( New York). Only about seven of them were built. The car seems to have been known as the American Charron. Smith & Mabley tried the experience gained with the American CGV in a private car, the S & M Simplex implement. This resulted in the simplex luxury cars. Regardless of imported Smith & Mabley about their CGV Import Co. still brand vehicles. One of them, a big 75/90 CV, was ordered by a slightly eccentric U.S. customers with a bathing facility in the back seat.

Between 1903 and 1906 worked C.G.V. also on an armored vehicle that was carrying a machine gun. It seems that the Imperial Russian Army earned some copies.

CGV automobiles were equipped until 1906 with chain drive. This year, the company introduced the 14/18 CV a first, smaller model with shaft drive on the market. The largest model in this year was the 75/90 CV with a four-cylinder engine of 12.9 liters and chain drive.

British consortium takes over

1906 different Girardot leave the company and managed the small car maker GEM. Charron in 1912 he founded Alda. A British investment group took over in 1906 CGV and called the company in 1907 in order Automobiles Charron Limited. Under this designation until 1930 automobiles were produced.

"Shovel nose "

Like several other vehicles of this time, for example Renault, Charron or Clément- Bayard, also had the CGV -Automobile a sloping front bonnet, popularly called "shovel nose ". In contrast to this, the water cooler was not mounted behind the engine, but sat at the front of the vehicle in the chassis. Therefore, the starter crank had to be led through the radiator.

Production figures

1902 created 76 vehicles. The following year, the number rose to 196 copies. 1905, the company produced 265 vehicles.