DARRACQ

Alexandre Darracq had made a fortune from the French cycle trade in the 1890s and his 'Perfecta' works that made components for motor tricycles was one of the largest in Paris. After a number of false starts it was not until 1900 that he marketed his first successful motorcar. It had a vertical front-mounted single-cylinder engine, over 700 being sold in the first year. Darracq concentrated on the popular end of the market, giving good value for money with a range of single, twin and four-cylinder cars, all with shaft drive. Design of Darracq cars took a significant step forwards in 1903 when the firm adopted the one piece pressed-steel chassis. This was not only stronger than those previously used but was relatively light in weight.

Although Darracq did not himself drive, he knew the value of publicity and pursued a vigorous policy of motor racing and record breaking with many outstanding successes. The huge 22 1/2-litre v-8 Darracq took the world's land speed record in 1905 at 109.65 mph.

Cars offered to the public were inevitably more restrained, and although some quite large models were available, it was the small and medium sized Darracqs that made the profits and, with occasional blips, kept the company successful. In 1914 Darracq was the third largest French car manufacturer after Renault and Peugeot.

Alexandre retired from his firm in 1912 at the age of 56 and after the Great War lived in some style in Monte Carlo where he had varoius business interests. In 1919-20 his old company acquired the English firms of Talbot and Sunbeam to form STD combine from which the Darracq name for a motorcar make was phased out before the Second World War.

1903 Darracq on tour