Solved - MJW #117 - Gillet-Herstal cyclecar c.1932

[woodinsight]

Make and year please
One point on offer

[woodinsight]

Moving up a level

[woodinsight]

I don't know too much about this car but the photo was taken at the Bol d'Or if that helps

[woodinsight]

The year the photo was taken was 1932

[woodinsight]

I believe this car maker also made motor cycles

[Aaron65]

Amilcar?

[woodinsight]

Not that - wrong country

[Aaron65]

Is it a Special?  (Literally, that's about all I can find about the car)...

[woodinsight]

Well - It's difficult to answer that question although the name I have seems to tie it into a motorcycle manufacturer and the car may be powered by a motorcycle engine.
I suggest you find the country first - that will help a lot I think

[D-type]

Britain?

[woodinsight]

Not British but not far away

[Djetset]

French?

[woodinsight]

Not French but a bordering country

[Aaron65]

Is it Belgian?  A Minerva perhaps?

[woodinsight]

It is Belgian but not Minerva

[Aaron65]

Antoine?

[woodinsight]

Not Antoine.
I think this company was known for building motor-cycles primarily.

[Djetset]

Is it a Superia?

[woodinsight]

Sorry but not Superia.
I can give you a hint in that the name is a sort of cardigan in French

[Djetset]

It's a Gillet-Herstal.

[DeAutogids]

I thought they only made 3 wheelers...

[woodinsight]

I think you've probably solved this one Djetset.
One point more for you.
I have it as a Gillet being driven by Vroonen at the Bol d'Or 1932.

I have since found in a history of Belgian motorcycles that Vroonen was responsible for the construction of cyclecars (number built unknown) using Gillet engines and mechanicals.
No further information on engine size or other details at the moment.
Vroonen had competed with Gillet-Herstal motorcycles and sidecars extensively in the late 1920s.

S.A. des Ateliers Gillet were established in 1919 at rue Hayeneux, Herstal.
They finally ceased production in 1958.

I believe the company used the title Gillet-Herstal to distinguish it from the French Gillet concern.

[DeAutogids]

Would it not be a Vroonen-special then?

[Djetset]

Good to see that a fine Belgian motoring marque was revived with Gillet (Vertigo, etc.).

[DeAutogids]

Good to see that a fine Belgian motoring marque was revived with Gillet (Vertigo, etc.).

Sorry, but it was just due to the guy's name. Tony Gillet. If his name would have been Ickx, the car would've been called that.