1930 G.A.R. Type B5

Automobiles G.A.R. of Clichy, a town west of Paris, built cyclecars beginning in 1921, eventually embarking on automobile production. Their four-wheel vehicles had lightweight designs and were equipped with four-cylinder engines with superchargers and overhead camshafts.

In 1926, G.A.R. entered the Bol d'Or, a 24-hour race for motorcycles and cyclecars limited to 1,100 cc capacity. At the completion of the race, all of the G.A.R.s had finished, demonstrating their durability and reliability.

After moving into larger facilities, G.A.R. began building engines of their own specifications. Their inline eight-cylinder model, dubbed the B5, was priced at 26,000 French francs, an exorbitant amount for 1930.

The G.A.R. Type B5 was powered by a 1,375cc SOHC inline 8-cylinder engine with twin Solex side-draft carburetors and produced 8 HP (French rating). It had a four-speed Cotal Pre-Selector gearbox and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes.

Not many G.A.R. B5 automobiles were built, and only three are believed to exist today.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2024