Audibert et Lavirotte

Audibert et Lavirotte
1896-1898 Ste des Voitures Audibert et Lavirotte, Lyons.
1898-1902 SA des Anciens Etablissments Audibert et Lavirotte, Lyons, France.

Maurice Audibert worked for the Scotte company which made wagonettes in Paris before joining Emile Lavirotte in car manufacture. Both young men had been destined for careers in the silk industry but, like so many others, they were lured by the idea of the car. Their early models, which were the first petrol cars to be made in Lyons, were closely based on Benz designs, though they soon began making their own 2 and 4 cylinder engines and carburettors. Production was very small, to customer demand only, until they set up their own company in 1896. Two years later they offered seven models, from a 2 seater "petit duc" to a large enclosed 4 seat coupe. From 1899 the engines were front mounted, with 3 speed gearboxes and chain final drive. Four models were listed in 1900, of 7, 12, 16 and32hp. The largest was a 4 cylinder racing car capable of 50mph. About 50 cars were made in 1899-1900 before the partnership split up. More than 150 vehicles were made in all, of which three survive. Maurice Audibert became commercial manager of another Lyon firm, Rochet-Schneider, while Emile Lavirotte became a partner of Marius Berliet in return for providing him with the Audibert et Lavirotte factory.