Buchet

Origins

Société Buchet was founded in 1888 at Levallois-Perret as a producer of lamps. In 1899 Élie-Victor Buchet began to manufacture engines for auto-makers. Buchet engines were also used to power other manufacturers' aircraft (from 1906), and motorcycles.

1920s

After the relocation, in 1919, to premises in Billancourt, Buchet remained largely faithful to their by now tried and trusted methods, and as the 1920s progressed they came to be seen as somewhat conservative.

In 1924 the manufacturer was offering the "Buchet Type B4 8/10HP" which used a 1545cc 4-cylinder side-valve engine, but during 1925 this was succeeded by The "Buchet Type B5" with a modified valvegear assembly that now incorporated rocker arms. The Type B4 on display at the Motor Show in October 1924 was priced at 21,800 francs for a "Torpedo" bodied car and 27,950 francs for a "Conduite interieure" (two-box sedan/saloon/berline) version. There were also a so-called "Normande" (light truck) version listed. and a smaller 1,131cc (6 CV/HP) engined model.

By 1929, when production came to an end, the little 4-cylinder 1,131cc (6 CV/HP) model was one of two Buchet models still listed. The other was a 6-cylinder 1,737cc (10 CV/HP) powered car which had been launched in 1928.

It was not till 1911, initially at Levallois-Perret, and after 1919 at Billancourt, that Buchet started to produce cars of its own.

In 1919 the company was purchased by Gaston Sailly and renamed Gaston Sailly, Moteurs et Automobiles Buchet, with a new factory at Billencourt. The cars continued to be branded with the "Buchet" name, however.

By the end of the decade Buchet was one of a number of automakers to find itself competed out of business by France's by now increasingly dominant larger auto-makers. Activity ceased at the factory at the end of 1929, and in 1930 Buchet went out of business.