Delaugere et Clayette

Classic Delaugere

Delaugere 1898 - 1926

SA des Ets Delaugere, Clayette Freres et Compagnie, Orleans, Loiret.

This regional car maker, little known even in France let alone abroad, grew from a company which dated back to the middle of the nineteenth century. Jean-Pierre Delaugere (1810-1863) was a carriage and wagon maker whose son Emile and great-nephew Felix built a 3-wheeled car in 1898, followed by a 4-wheeler in 1900. The latter used a De Dion Bouton engine, but a year later Delaugere were making 2 cylinder engines in their own factory, following these with a four in 1902. The cars were on Panhard lines, with automatic inlet valves and double-chain drive. The 20 hp 4 cylinder car had a 4 speed gearbox. In 1904 Maurice Clayette joined the company, which became E. et F. Delaugere et M. Clayette, changing to it's final title two years later.
By 1905 a wide range of cars was offered, from an 8/10 hp twin to a massive 80/100 hp four of 15 litres, as well as taxicabs and trucks. One model, the 16 hp 4CCA, had shaft drive, and this gradually spread up the range which, by 1907 had shrunk to the twin and two fours, of 4.4 and 8 litres. They had 350 workers in 1909, production running at about two vehicles per day. The first monobloc engine came in 1911 in the shape of the 2.1 litre 10CV. Twins were still catalogued in 1912, along with the company's first six, the 5.2 litre Type 6N. A rear axle gearbox was used on some models, as was the Fischer side valve engine in the 2.7 litre Type SS. Although the marque never became well known, even in France and their products were seldom written up in the Press, some were exported as far afield as Romania, the United Statens and Mexico.
During the First World War Delaugere made trucks and shells for the French Army and resumed car production in 1919 with three models; two fours of 2154 and 3176cc (Types 4 and 4Y), and a large six of 4764cc, the Type 6Z. They all had sde valve engines, 4 speed gearboxes and electric lighting and starting. They were continued through the 1922 season, when the Type 6Z 6 seater saloon had twin rear wheels. Front wheel brakes were adopted on the 6Z in 1923 and across the whole range by 1925. For 1923 Delaugere turned to proprietary engines in place of their own, though the 6Z was continued up to 1925. The new engines came from Ballot, in three sizes, 1690, 2120, and 3327cc, all 4 cylinder side valve units. Five body styles, made in house, were listed for 1924, 3 seat and 4 seater tourers, 3 and 4 seat saloons and a camionette Normande or light truck. Larger commercial bodywork, including a hotel bus, was also available with the 3327cc engine, and there was still a 3.5 ton truck. This was the L)3, with 4396cc engine, solid tyres and chain drive.
By 1925 Delaugere was struggling. The cheapest chassis cost 19,500 francs, whereas a Citroen B2 cost 14,200 francs for a complete car. Only one model, the 1690cc 10CV, was offered for 1926, and very few were made that year. The factory was bought by Panhard, who removed the machine tools to their plants at Paris and Rheims, and devoted the Delaugere factory to body manufacture. From it came the famous Panhard bodies of the 1930's and 1940's such as the Panoramique, Dynamic, and the Dyna. Pierre Delaugere stayed on as a director, and a small staff of eight remained up to 1931 to ensure a supply of spare parts. The factory stood until 1973 when it was demolished to make way for a large block of flats.