Gaston Barré (1864-1944) is a Choletais who first settled as a gunsmith in Parthenay, arquebusier to be precise, then manufacturer of bicycles and cars in Niort. The very first Gaston Barré dates from 1897-1898. It was more a cart than a real car, says Philippe Berneux, director of the Automobile club of Deux-Sèvres. A bicycle frame, four wheels, no bodywork, a small single-cylinder De Dion engine. It was called the “mother-in-law kills” because it featured an isolated seat in front.
The first authentic Gaston Barré car, with chassis and bodywork, was presented in 1904 at the Auto Show: a luxury model called “Tonneau”. At the previous year’s show, Gaston Barré occupied a stand which had been visited by the President of the Republic.
Luxurious and robust cars, all handcrafted
The activity is launched and follows the dynamics of the sector at the beginning of the 20th century, passionate about movement and speed. Peugeot, Panhard, Citroën… work wonders. Only in the Niortais, there were then eight car manufacturers , continues Philippe Berneux. This is the basic intuition…
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