Ballot was a French automobile manufacturer that operated from 1905 to 1932. The company was founded by Edouard Ballot, who started out as a precision machinist and mechanic, and began building engines in the early 1900s.
History
Ballot was a French automobile manufacturer that produced cars from 1910 to 1932. The company began by producing cars with four-cylinder engines and shaft drive. During World War I, Ballot shifted to producing aircraft engines for the French military, which helped to establish its reputation for high-quality engineering. After the war, Ballot resumed car production and gained a reputation for building high-performance sports cars, such as the 2LS race car, which won the French Grand Prix in 1921 and 1922. In the mid-1920s, Ballot shifted its focus to building luxury cars, such as the 3-liter six-cylinder RH model and the 2-liter DA with an overhead valve engine. However, the global economic downturn in the late 1920s led to financial struggles for the company, and it was eventually sold to Hispano-Suiza in 1930. Hispano-Suiza continued to produce Ballot cars under its name until 1932. Today, Ballot cars are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, particularly the 2LS race car and the luxury models of the 1920s.
