1929 Automoto AL9 Grand Tourisme Luxe

Automoto 1929 AL9 Grand Tourisme Luxe 348 cc side valve single frame # 51896 engine # 30122

Automoto is one of the pioneer French makes: at the end of the 19th century a group of bicycle parts manufacturers in St. Etienne merges into one company that gets the name Automoto. Soon production of complete cycles, motorised tricycles and automobiles is taken up, next to various other products such as washing machines, hunting weapons and sundry agricultural machinery. During the 1914-1918 war the company focusses on munitions manufacturing and by the end of 1922 motorcycle production is taken up again with a light two stroke model for which the Evans Powercycle has been the inspiration. In the course of the twenties four stroke machines are added to the programme and by 1929 the model range includes two stroke and four stroke models from 175 to 500 cc.

The AL9 Grand Tourisme Luxe is the most expensive model in the 350 cc class. It’s more refined than the comparable models from Terrot and Peugeot and has a number of outstanding features. The crankshaft runs on ball bearings, while most competitors have a bronze bush on the timing side. It’s also compact because of the outside flywheel. The gearbox is quite special, it’s a 3-speed British Campbell, made under licence in the Automoto factory. This gearbox is of the constant mesh system in which the gears are not sliding, a relatively novel construction principle at the time that makes for less wear and smoother gear change. In the 20s and 30s British components are popular on French machines; this Automoto has an Amac carburettor and Best & Lloyd oil pump.

The machine is fitted with substantial internal expanding brakes (164 mm diameter front and 194 mm diameter rear) and the petrol tank capacity is 12,5 litres. Top speed, as quoted by the factory, is about 95 km/h. A very prominent feature is the elaborate tank top instrument panel that holds an 8-day Jaeger clock, amp gauge and speedo and a light switch. Further accessories include front fork mounted tyre pump, rear view mirror, Meilleure pillion seat, G.G steering damper and Marchal full electric lighting with Vibror claxon. This older restoration machine comes with current registration. She’s one of the last true Automoto models; in 1930 the firm is taken over by Peugeot and soon the range of machines will be inspired by comparable Peugeot models.