Salmson Automobiles
Salmson Automobiles were manufactured by the French company Société des Moteurs Salmson between 1922 and 1954.
Early days and the formation of Société des Moteurs Salmson
Emile Salmson and Cie, a successful aircraft engine manufacturing company in the days following the end of the first world war were looking to expand their business and, after manufacturing car bodies, expanded into car production. Lacking car design expertise the company initially focussed on manufacturing British GN Cycle cars under license, successfully exhibiting at the 1919 Paris Salon and going on to manufacture 1600 of the popular vehicles.
With the demand for cyclecars beginning to wane, Emile Salmson and Cie turned their attention to developing a new automobile engine. This was first appeared in AL cyclecars from 1921 and by 1922 the successful automobile manufacturing part of the business became a new company: Société des Moteurs Salmson. The development of a twin overhead cam engine followed and allowed the production of a range of models under the Société des Moteurs Salmson marque.
Société des Moteurs Salmson Model range
Starting with the Salmson 1922 D type, the company produced a range of models throughout the 1920's and in 1929 released the first of the its long running Salmson S series of cars. These cars were to be in production until 1951 in a variety of model types. Next came the Salmson Randonnée E-72, produced between 1950 and 1951, followed by the Salmson Randonnée G-72 1951-1954. In 1953 what turned out to be the last Salmson model, the Salmson 2300 S was produced. This car went on to compete in the 1955-1957 Le Mans 24 hour races.
Bankruptcy and the end of car production
Declining sales in the post world war two period hit the company hard, going from peak production of 1162 passenger cars in 1950 to output of just 89 cars in 1952. Backed by the aircraft engine business of its parent company, Société des Moteurs Salmson struggled on. The introduction of the new model Salmson 2300 S in 1953 did little to change the company's fortunes and with the bank withdrawing their support, bankruptcy was declared in the same year. All car production activities had ended by 1957 and the factory was bought up by Renault. The parent company subsequently turned its attention back to pump manufacturing.
Société des Moteurs Salmson Racing Department
Production of the Salmson 1922 D-Type lead the Salmson company to automobile racing success and their racing department set 10 world records and were also to win 550 automobile races in a successful racing venture between 1921 and 1928, ending when the racing department was closed in 1929.