A Brief History of the Marque
Manufactured in France 1905-1932 1
Austral was established by Edouard Cheilus in Paris, initially producing tricars in Tourisme and Livraison (Utility) versions fitted with water-cooled Aster engines. Over the years they built a large variety of tricars.
The first motorcycles appeared in 1908 powered by 211cc two-strokes, and from 1911 to 1914 were built under licence to Alcyon. Production resumed after WWI in 1919, and 246cc two-strokes were introduced. They also built machines powered by 250, 350 and 500cc four-stroke engines from Zurcher, LMP, and Staub. Austral became part of the Alcyon group of companies.
Austral Models
PC 250
Introduced in early 1928, the first version had a Lutetia engine and rim brakes. That year it took equal 1st place in the Paris-Les Pyrénées-Paris race. For 1929 the engine was changed to LMP and drum brakes were fitted front and rear; it remained unchanged for the rest of its career. Production of the very popular PC continued until 1932.
C 27 175cc
Introduced in 1927, it differed to the Standard 27, having chain/chain transmission and Webb-style forks.
Astral, a subsidiary of the Austral company, built 98cc and 122cc two-strokes from 1919 to 1923. 2
Austral of Normandy
Marcel Coadou who had been associated with the original company back in the 1920s established a new cycle firm at 7, rue de l'Arquette, Caen in 1947 or possibly before the war. There they also built mopeds powered by Le Poulain engines in the early 1950s. This firm is discussed on the motocyclettesaustral.es.tl site in some detail.
Notes:
1. Tragatsch p80 says 1908-1932, another sources gives 1906-1930
2. Tragatsch p79
Sources: JLB Creations, Tragatsch, Henshaw, Cyclememory.org, lesmotosaustral.fr, motocyclettesaustral.es.tl.
Austral?...Or what?
by viking, 18 Jan 2011 03:27 pm
Forum Post
Can anyone tell me if this is a Austral-motorcycle? As you see, engine is LMP-
probably 250cc. Gearbox is Staub, carburator is JG (Gurtner?), magneto MEA and generator Novi. And frame is
near Austral frame?
It seems that frame is a little bit modernized? Should bike to be a "flat
tank"-model?
Tank is perhaps too modern for this bike?
All information is useful for me because we don't have many French bikes here in north..
Tue Apr 17 2007
gubben32 at hotmaildot com
Austral
211 cc two stroke 1920-1923
Hello could you help me with some pictures of how my Austral have look like when the bike
was new. I dont now which colour the bike is original paintet with.
Denmark
If you have a query or information about Austral motorcycles please contact us
