1953 Nougier 500cc 4-Cylinder Grand Prix
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 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 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.