Darracq Voiturette / Single-Cylinder History

In 1900 chief engineer Paul Ribeyrolles completed Darracq's first practical petrol automobile: a voiture légère with a 785 cc single-cylinder engine rated at 6.5 hp, shaft drive, and a three-speed column gear change. The car closely resembled contemporary Renault designs in layout but distinguished itself with a novel mechanism that allowed engine speed to be varied between 100 and 2,000 rpm by regulating both ignition timing and inlet-valve lift simultaneously — an unusually sophisticated control for the era.

Demand proved immediate and vigorous. More than 1,000 units had been sold by the end of September 1901, even though Suresnes employed only around 300 workers, meaning production relied heavily on bought-in components and final assembly. The car was sold in Britain through agents as the 'Whippet', broadening Darracq's early export market.

By 1902 the single-cylinder range was joined by 1.1-litre singles and 1.3-litre and 1.9-litre twins; a 3.8-litre four-cylinder model had appeared by 1903, signalling the rapid step-up from voiturette to full touring car that characterised the early French industry.