Peugeot Bébé
Encyclopedia
The Peugeot Bébé or Baby was a small car nameplate from Peugeot
made from 1905 to 1916. Vehicles under this name were known technically within Peugeot as the Type 69 and the Type BP1.
steering and a driveshaft
instead of a chain were included in the vehicle. Production began in Audincourt
in 1905, and the car proved to be popular. Bébé sold 400 units in the first year, or 80% of Peugeot's production. It was also exported, particularly to Britain
. The Type 69 was sold until 1912.
, initially for the German car firm Wanderer
, then also built under license by Peugeot for the French market. Peugeot displayed it under their marque at the Paris Motor Show in 1912. Production began in 1913 following discontinuation of the Type 69. Wanderer built their car with Bugatti's own 4-speed transmission, but in order to keep production costs down for the French version, Peugeot fitted a 2-speed gearbox initially, which was then replaced by their own 3-speed. The engine was also Peugeot's own, a tiny straight-4
that produced 10 hp at 2000 rpm, which gave the small car a top speed of 60 kilometres per hour (37.3 mph). Weight was again below 350 kilograms (771.6 lb), though the track was wide enough for two to sit abreast. Bébé scored some racing success among small car classes, notably at Mont Ventoux
in 1913, where it won in its class. This model ran until 1916, and a total of 3,095 were produced.
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
made from 1905 to 1916. Vehicles under this name were known technically within Peugeot as the Type 69 and the Type BP1.
Type 69
The original Bébé was presented at the Paris Motor Show in 1904 and stole the show as a modern and robust creation that was cheap, small, and practical. Its weight was 350 kilograms (771.6 lb) and length was 2.7 metres (106.3 in), and these tiny dimensions meant that its small engine could propel it to 40 kilometres per hour (24.9 mph). Though selling price was deliberately kept as low as possible, technologies like rack and pinionRack and pinion
A rack and pinion is a type of linear actuator that comprises a pair of gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion. A circular gear called "the pinion" engages teeth on a linear "gear" bar called "the rack"; rotational motion applied to the pinion causes the rack to move, thereby...
steering and a driveshaft
Driveshaft
A drive shaft, driveshaft, driving shaft, propeller shaft, or Cardan shaft is a mechanical component for transmitting torque and rotation, usually used to connect other components of a drive train that cannot be connected directly because of distance or the need to allow for relative movement...
instead of a chain were included in the vehicle. Production began in Audincourt
Audincourt
Audincourt is a commune in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France.-Population:-External links:*...
in 1905, and the car proved to be popular. Bébé sold 400 units in the first year, or 80% of Peugeot's production. It was also exported, particularly to Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The Type 69 was sold until 1912.
Type BP1
The Type BP1 Bébé was a design by Ettore BugattiEttore Bugatti
right|thumb|Ettore Bugatti in 1932Ettore Arco Isidoro Bugatti was an Italian-born and French naturalized citizen automobile designer and manufacturer....
, initially for the German car firm Wanderer
Wanderer (car)
Wanderer was a German manufacturer of bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles, vans and other machinery. Established as Winklhofer & Jaenicke in 1896, the company used the Wanderer brand name from 1911, making civilian automobiles until 1941 and military vehicles until 1945.-History:Winklhofer &...
, then also built under license by Peugeot for the French market. Peugeot displayed it under their marque at the Paris Motor Show in 1912. Production began in 1913 following discontinuation of the Type 69. Wanderer built their car with Bugatti's own 4-speed transmission, but in order to keep production costs down for the French version, Peugeot fitted a 2-speed gearbox initially, which was then replaced by their own 3-speed. The engine was also Peugeot's own, a tiny straight-4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
that produced 10 hp at 2000 rpm, which gave the small car a top speed of 60 kilometres per hour (37.3 mph). Weight was again below 350 kilograms (771.6 lb), though the track was wide enough for two to sit abreast. Bébé scored some racing success among small car classes, notably at Mont Ventoux
Mont Ventoux
Mont Ventoux is a mountain in the Provence region of southern France, located some 20 km northeast of Carpentras, Vaucluse. On the north side, the mountain borders the Drôme département. It is the largest mountain in the region and has been nicknamed the "Giant of Provence", or "The Bald...
in 1913, where it won in its class. This model ran until 1916, and a total of 3,095 were produced.