Rolland-Pilain
Encyclopedia
Rolland-Pilain was a French car maker founded 1905 in Tours
by François Rolland and Emile Pilain.
The Rolland-Pilain cars pioneered many innovative solutions despite very limited financial resources. One such feature was hydraulic brakes. The models ranged from family cars to sports and luxury cars.
During World War I
Rolland-Pilain produced shells and parts for aircraft engines using a female work force.
Participation in motor racing included several Grand Prix races
and Le Mans 24 hours.
The greatest success came in 1923, when Albert Guyot
drove a Rolland-Pilain A22 to victory in the San Sebastián Grand Prix
.
A lack of funds led to Rolland and Pilain losing control of the company in 1926. Things went downhill from there and the factory closed in 1932. When production ceased, more than 5 000 cars had been built.
Tours
Tours is a city in central France, the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department.It is located on the lower reaches of the river Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. Touraine, the region around Tours, is known for its wines, the alleged perfection of its local spoken French, and for the...
by François Rolland and Emile Pilain.
The Rolland-Pilain cars pioneered many innovative solutions despite very limited financial resources. One such feature was hydraulic brakes. The models ranged from family cars to sports and luxury cars.
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
Rolland-Pilain produced shells and parts for aircraft engines using a female work force.
Participation in motor racing included several Grand Prix races
Grand Prix motor racing
Grand Prix motor racing has its roots in organised automobile racing that began in France as far back as 1894. It quickly evolved from a simple road race from one town to the next, to endurance tests for car and driver...
and Le Mans 24 hours.
The greatest success came in 1923, when Albert Guyot
Albert Guyot
Albert Guyot was a French racecar driver. He was one of four drivers who entered with Duesenberg the 1921 French Grand Prix, the first in which a US make participated. Jimmy Murphy won with his Duesenberg 183; Guyot finished 6th.-Indy 500 results:...
drove a Rolland-Pilain A22 to victory in the San Sebastián Grand Prix
San Sebastián Grand Prix
The San Sebastián Grand Prix was an automobile race held at the Circuito Lasarte near San Sebastián, Spain.During most of its existence, it was the main race event in Spain, since the Spanish Grand Prix had not yet been properly established as a grand prix race...
.
A lack of funds led to Rolland and Pilain losing control of the company in 1926. Things went downhill from there and the factory closed in 1932. When production ceased, more than 5 000 cars had been built.