1953 Nougier Grand Prix
1953 Nougier 500 Grand Prix
The wizard of Provence
Except in the early years of this century, French motorcycle manufacturers have made little impression on the international racing scene. Nevertheless, that hasn’t prevented the country’s many small workshops from continuing to build grand prix racers.
Hand-Built Superbike
Among the most outstanding were the bikes produced by the Nougier brothers at St. Andiol, near Avignon in Provence. Nougiers were built from stem to stern by brother Jean, but this old-fashioned approach gave away nothing in terms of sophistication to the machines built by the great makers from other countries. Already well-known for his twin-cam singles and twins based on Terrot and Magnat-Debon machines, Jean decided to challenge the all-powerful Gilera and MV Agusta bikes on their home ground. In 1953, he built a four-cylinder. With the aid of the metal founder Pierre Collignon, he made all the components for this remarkable machine, the sole French four-cylinder built in the postwar era, apart from Citroen-engined BFGs of the Eighties.
In the Forefront of Technology
Superbly finished and technologically formidable, the Nougier seemed to have everything going for it. But the Nougier brothers lacked the financial muscle to develop it or to employ a top-drawer rider capable of putting it in the winner’s circle. The results this amazing bike achieved were sadly disappointing.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: air-cooled 500 cc (54×54 mm) 4- cylinder four-stroke
Power Rating: 50+ hp @ 11,000 rpm
Valves: chain-driven twin overhead camshafts
Fuel System: carburetors
Transmission: 5 or 6-speed gearbox
Suspension: (front) telescopic fork; (rear) swinging arm
Brakes: (front/rear) Collignon twin leading shoe magnesium drum
Wheels: wire
Weight: 320 lb
Maximum Speed: 122 mph
The Nougier engine was remarkably narrow, thanks to a primary drive by gears cut directly into the crankshaft, a shaft-driven magneto behind the cylinders and just three float chambers for the quadruple carburetors.
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