René Bonnet

The young René first learned about machines working with his father, a carpenter. By 1915, with most teachers conscripted, René left school and started work, first as a farmhand and later in factories, eventually making his way to Paris. Bonnet was a capable athlete, playing right winger for the local Dompierre-sur-Besbre football team.

In 1925 he joined the Navy "to see the oceans", where a sadistic officer made him dive into a shallow pool, causing him a back injury which was to trouble him for the rest of his life. Diagnosed with tuberculosis of the bones, he spent some time in sanatoriums, where he learned how to make shawls. By 1929 he was back in his hometown of Vaumas, eking out a meagre living at this trade. His life really began to change soon thereafter when his sister asked René to come assist her in running the small garage which had become her responsibility after her husband's recent death. The garage was also a Rosengart dealer, although they had not yet managed to sell a single car when René took over. He proved an adept salesman and soon also became a Citroën dealer, a much more profitable agency. In October 1932, he bought a small coachworker called "La Maison Deutsch" from the founder's widow. The founder's 21-year-old son, Charles Deutsch continued to work for Bonnet and the two were to develop a long and fruitful collaboration.