Lyon, France And Zenith In World War 1

[Tim the Tank Nut]

I am working on an article for Supply Line about Zenith carburetors and need some background information.

Zenith started out in Lyon France before WW1 and opened a US office in 1911.

My questions are:

How much effect did WW1 combat have on Lyon and by extension Zenith production?

I have some books on WW1 but not anything useful. I don't think Lyon was shelled or bombed but would like to study it more.

Secondly, does anyone have a photo of a Zenith carb on a WW1 FT tank that can be published. I had a lot of FT stuff but don't anymore.

Lastly Zenith didn't go "big time" in the US til they got the Model A contract from Ford but can anyone verify if everything ship from France for assembly during WW1 or were Zenith castings done here in the Dodge building?

I have contacts at Zenith but Tanknet is mighty and I am curious as to what the forum may know...

[Ken Estes]

The French auto makers were big in the US from the beginning of the market and very advanced. There was no impediment to their doing business the way nowadays Peugeot, Citroën and Renault have been excluded since the 1970s. Correct, Tim, Lyon was far from any fighting front.

[Tim the Tank Nut]

based on how good an engine they developed for les camions and then stuck it in the FT they had to know what they were about. Apparently there is something called the "Zenith Principle" in carburetion but I am not sure what it is yet

[Colin]

Landrovers used Zenith carbs (along with solex, weber and SU) will check my parts books.

[Colin]

Not sure if anything is helpful

 

 

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http://www.s2cforum.com/archives/index.php?topic=8446.0