Dresch et Cie (1920–1949)[1][2] was one of France’s more important motorcycle manufacturers.[3] It was founded in Étampes, France by the eccentric multi-millionaire French-Algerian industrialist Henri Dresch,[4] whose other business interests included an upmarket spa hotel. Within five months of its founding, it was able to rise to the forefront of its specialty,[1] going on to use advanced designs such as press-steel frame and forks and shaft drives, and later moved to the Everest factory in Paris‘s 15th arrondissement.
The company‘s products ranged from 98cc to 246cc single-cylinder two-stroke machines[3] to luxury 750cc four-cylinder model. Dresch used proprietary engines from various suppliers including Aubier Dunne, Chaise, JAP, MAG, Stainless and Train. In 1930, it produced a 498cc inline-twin model similar to the later British Sunbeam models.[5]
Dresch was a large company that produced up to 10,000 solo and sidecar-mounted motorcycles per year [citation needed] and bought other motorcycle companies such as Le Grimpeur in 1926, PS, Everest and in 1928, DFR. It aimed to sell good-quality, low-cost vehicles. The company built motorcycles for the Paris police. During its history,[6] it went through numerous restructurings as Général Motos Cycles in 1929, Dresch-Macam, DFR-Macam in 1932 and, ultimately, SA Dreschmotor.[7][8]
Production ended in 1939 and the factory was mothballed, due to the Second World War, but the company attempted to restart after it afterwards and launch its planned “Baltimore” model, a 350cc single with shaft drive. Dresch never resumed production; however, a prototype Baltimore model was eventually shown at an exhibition in 1948 and the company continued producing spare parts into the 1950s. Unfortunately, pre-orders were insufficient and production was halted.
External links
Bibliography
- Erwin Tragatsch, Alle Motorräder 1894-1981: Eine Typengeschichte. 2500 Marken aus 30 Ländern, Stuttgart 1997. ISBN 3-87943-410-7
References
- ^ a b PME et croissance économique: l’expérience française des années 1920. Michel Lescure. Économica, 1996
- ^ Illustrated Encyclopedia of Motorcycles. Erwin Tragatsch, 30 Jul 1992
- ^ a b The Illustrated Directory of Motorcycles. Micro De Cet, Mirco De Cet. MotorBooks International, 13 Feb 2003
- ^ Katya Pellegrino. Silverback Books, 15 Feb 2006
- ^ Les Motocyclettes Henri Dresch. François-Henri Denise. F.-H. Denise, 1983
- ^ Liaisons, Issues 276-290. Seine (France). Préfecture de police. Prefecture de police., 1986
- ^ Denise Francois-Henri, Henri The Motorcycle Dresch, 1983
- ^ The Motocyclettiste, No. 17 and 75
 French motorcycle manufacturers | |
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