Alexandre Darracq

Darracq 6,5 CV (1901)
Gladiator Double Phaeton from 1907, 2 cylinder, 2423 cc, 12 PS, 45 km/h, Cité de l’Automobile – Musée National – Collection Schlumpf, Mulhouse, France
Darracq Coupé Chauffeur SS 20/28, 1907, 4 cylinder, 28,5 PS, 4728 cc, 70 km/h, Cité de l’Automobile – Musée National – Collection Schlumpf, Mulhouse, France

Alexandre Darracq (10 November 1855 – 1931) was a French investor, engineer, cycle manufacturer and automobile manufacturer. By 1904, Darracq was producing more than ten percent of all automobiles in France and he sold a substantial part of his business to British investors. He became fascinated by the possibilities of a rotary valve engine, put it into production and although it became a disaster for Darracq & Cie, persisted in installing it in Darracq products. He was obliged to retire in June 1912 aged 56. After the Armistice his name was dropped from his Suresnes factory's mass-produced products.

In 1906 he founded Società Anonima Italiana Darracq (S.A.I.D.) in Milan, Italy, which became [Società] Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili (A.L.F.A.) in 1910 and eventually Alfa Romeo.


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