Description

1955 Grataloup

Another one-off named for its constructor.

This well-engineered and well- constructed car turned up in a Citroen garage in Biarritz, France. The garage owner met Monsieur Grataloup, who lived in Bagneres de Bigorre near Lourdes. He used the car as a daily driver.

A disparate collection of parts make up the drivetrain. The motor is a British Villiers Mk. IX, allegedly out of a BSA motorcycle. The Roman numeral designation was used by Villiers prewar, and the Mark IX Series 'A' dates from 1926. A separate gearbox from a French Renee Gillet motorcycle is driven by chain. A separate starter motor is connected by a leather link-belt. The clutch is connected by three belts, and there is chain drive to the rear wheel. Suspension is by leaf spring- longitudinal at the rear and transverse in front. Steering is by direct link to the steering arms. More BSA parts are used throughout.

It is hoped that more information will soon be made available.

Manufacturer: M. Grataloup, Bagneres de Bigorre France

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This was one of the vehicles sold at the Bruce Weiner Microcar Auction in February 2013. Website owner Harry Kraemer has all of the sale data from that auction in his Market Watch section of his Wheels & Wings site Flymall.org. See link below for the data.

Click here for auction sale report