Ballot was a French automobile manufacturer.
The Ballot brothers, Edouard and Maurice, founded their company in 1905. Before the World War I they manufactured automobile and marine engines.
A Ballot vehicle driven by René Thomas finished second in the 1919 Targa Florio and second in the 1920 Indianapolis 500. Ralph DePalma, an American national champion and winner of the 1915 Indianapolis 500, finished second in the 1921 French Grand Prix and French driver Jules Goux finished third. Goux went on to win the inaugural Italian Grand Prix at Brescia, Italy driving a Ballot.
Edouard Ballot was well-known as a designer of reliable engines. He helped Ettore Bugatti in developing his first engines.
After the World War I, the company entered motor racing with a straight-eight cylinder 4.9 litre car for the 1921 French Grand Prix. Later, a 2 litre tourer was developed called Ballot 2 LS. In 1923 Ballot 2 LT and a sport version, Ballot 2 LTS followed. From 1927, eight cylinder engines were used.
In 1931 the company was taken over by Hispano-Suiza. Swift decline followed: the last model was practically a Hispano-Suiza and only the chassis was provided by Ballot.
Ballot closed down in 1932.
External links
(Memories of the 1921 French Grand Prix relating to the Ballot racer)
