The French engineering company, Salmson, originally produced automobiles and airplanes. They later turned to pump manufacturing in the 1960s. The company was formed by Emile Salmson in 1890 who was later joined by engineers George Canton and Georg Unné. The company was one of the first to make purpose-built aircraft engines, beginning just before the start of World War I and continuing into World War II. After World War I, the company diversified into car body production and then building complete cars. Car production concluded in 1957. They built a reputation for their radical plane engines. Their small 'cyclecars' also gained notoriety, with the reliable two-overhead cam engine.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2016
In the early 1930s, the company introduced a mid-size executive-level car named the S4. It was the company's principal or sole model for the next two decades. Production would continue through the early 1950s, with the exception of wartime years. In 1950, Salmson produced the S4E convertible. The engine, from 1952, was an overhead cam unit made from aluminum and mated to an electromechanical Cotal gearbox.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2016
