Darracq factory racer Rene Thomas 1921 French Grand Prix at Le Mans photo auto

A superb and rare photo of French factory Darracq in 1921 during the French Grand Prix at Le Mans with legendary racer Rene Thomas .

The French Automobiles Darracq S.A. company was founded in 1896 by Alexandre Darracq . Using part of the substantial profit he had made from selling his Gladiator bicycle factory, Alexandre Darracq began operating from a plant in the Parisian suburb of Suresnes. The company started by building electric motor carriages until 1900 when they produced their first vehicle with an internal combustion engine. The Darracq automobile company prospered and the 1904 "Flying Fifteen" was a production model of exceptional quality that helped the company capture a ten percent share of the French auto market.

In 1902, Alexandre Darracq signed a contract with Adam Opel to jointly produce vehicles in the German Empire under the brand name "Opel Darracq." Three years later, the company expanded to the Britain, incorporating the A. Darracq Company (1905) Limited with a capitalization of £650,000. In 1906 the company expanded to Portello, a Milan suburb in Italy. They established Società Italiana Automobili Darracq (SIAD) through a licensing with Cavaliere Ugo Stella, an aristocrat from Milan. The business did not do well and Darracq shut it down in 1909 but a new partnership called Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili (ALFA) acquired the business which a few years later was called Alfa-Romeo. In 1907, Darracq formed Sociedad Anonima Espanola de Automoviles Darracq in Vitoria, Spain with a capitalization of 1,000,000 pesetas.

The company began competing in auto racing as a way of gaining publicity for its products. Paul Baras drove a Darracq to a new Land speed record of 104.53 mph (168.22 km/h) at Ostend, Belgium, on November 13, 1904. Another new world record was set by a factory built Darraq special on December 30, 1905 when Victor Hémery drove his V8 Special to a speed of 109.65 mph (176.46 km/h) at Arles, France. The V8 was shipped to Ormonde Beach Daytona where it was timed at 122.45 mph (197.06 km/h) in 1906 to win the title "1906 Speed King". On return to Europe the car was sold to Algenon Lee Guinness who set many records over the next few years until the car was retired in 1909 with a broken piston. This V8 Special(see full story at [1]) was rebuilt in 2005 using its original engine which had survived intact. Darracq vehicles won the 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup at Long Island, New York in the United States and the Cuban race at Havana. Notable drivers who raced Darracqs were Louis Chevrolet, Victor Hémery Louis Wagner and Vincenzo Florio, who later founded the Targa Florio.

In 1913 Alexandre Darracq sold out to British financial interests led by Owen Clegg who relocated to the Paris headquarters to take over as the Managing Director of the company. During World War I, the Darracq factory were converted to the production of various war materials. The War ended in 1918 and in 1919, Darracq took over British Talbot and Talbot models were then marketed as Talbot-Darracqs. In 1920, the operation was reorganised as part of the Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq (STD) conglomerate and in 1935, the company was purchased by the Rootes Group.

This is a very nice and very rare non period photo that reflects a wonderful era of Daraccq and automotive history in a wonderful way.  This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 11" (ca. 20 x 28 cm).  It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.

Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!

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No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.

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 We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.

After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!

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