229 Donnet-Zedel G2 Saloon (1925) BF 7073 by Robert Knight Via Flickr: Donnet Model G2 Saloon (1925-28) Engine 1098cc S4 Registration Number BF 7073 DONNET ZEDEL ALBUM www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/albums/72157626668619670/ During their heyday in the late 1920s, Donnet-Zedel ranked fourth in the sales charts of France, well ahead of the likes of Salmson and Mathis, trailing only Citroen, Peugeot and Renault. In 1924 the wealthy industrialist, Jerome Donnet, acquired the Zedel car company, along with their factory at Pontarlier in the Eastern part of France. At the time they were manufacturing a 3.2-litre and 2.1-litre range of side-valve six-cylinder cars, the design of which dated back to 1912. The larger of the two engines was quickly dropped and in 1925 a new sports model with a smaller two-litre engine was introduced with an updated inlet-over-exhaust head designed by none other than Ernest Henry – best known for his superb Peugeot and Ballot designs. At much the same time, the new Type-G was introduced, another Henry design, this time with a simple 1,098cc side-valve engine mated to a four-speed gearbox. An altogether conventional machine, it was rugged and reliable, as proved by a 10,000km non-stop promotional adventure from Paris to Constantinople and back without carrying any spare parts. This car is a 1925 Type-G two-door saloon fabric body it was brought to England, having been purchased from a Parisian architect who had undertaken a substantial restoration of the car, which included main running gear, new springs, shackle pins and bushes, however it had not been run for around ten years, once in England it was recommissioned for the road over the Winter of 2014 Donnet Was founded by Jerome Donnet and Francois Denhaut at Neuilly-sur-Seine in 1914, the firm manufactured a highly successful line of patrol flying boats (the Donnet-Denhaut flying boats for the French Navy. The company became known simply as Donnet after designer Denhaut left it in 1919 (replaced by Maurice Percheron), but did not continue to build aircraft for long afterwards. Jérôme Donnet purchased Automobiles Zedel of Pontarlier, France and from here he made the Donnet-Zedel CI-6 with 2120 cc engine, a design originating from 1912. A new car, the 1098 cc Type G was introduced in 1925 and it sold well, helping Donnet to become France's fourth largest car maker in 1927. The Type G was made in a former Donnet aircraft factory at Gennevillers, Seine. The Pontarlier works was sold in 1928 and the Zedel part of the name was dropped. Donnet also bought another factory at Nanterre, Seine from Vinot et Déguingand which although small had room for expansion. An expanded range of cars appeared in the late 1920s and early 1930s including six-cylinder models but the great days were over and production ended in 1934. The factory at Nanterre was sold to SIMCA in 1935. Diolch am 96,254,900 o olygfeydd anhygoel, mae pob un yn cael ei werthfawrogi'n fawr. Thanks for 96,254,900 amazing views, every one is greatly appreciated. Shot 07.08.2022, at the VSCC Prescott Speed Hill Climb, Prescott, Gloucestershire REF 162-229
