Wonder Motorcycles

Wonder 1953 175cc Type 254

Wonder 125cc by Ravat, 1951

A Brief History of the Marque
Manufactured: Ravat 1923-1954, Mercier 1954-

The Wonder cycle marque was established by Jules Ravat in 1906, and trademarked in March 1910, along with the brand name Sweet.

A prototype motorcycle was built in 1922, and production began in 1924 and continued at a furious pace until the clouds of war engulfed the nation in 1938.

The range of models offered through those years was quite remarkable - 1928 alone saw 20 new models released.

Wonder was acquired by Mercier in 1954 when it bought the parent company Ravat. The group which bought Ravat consisted of Talbot, Automoto, Hurtu, René Gillet and Mercier.

Mercier's Wonder motorcycle was all but identical to a number of other brands marketed at the time by Mercier including Antonin Magne, Lapébie, Louison Bobet and André Leducq, all powered by Ydral 125cc engines.

Models include:
1923-1924 Wonder, Massardier 125cc engine
1933-1939 Type A35 98cc
c1953 Wonder Type B48 (Ravat A48)
1954 Type 154 125cc 3 speed engine
1955 Types 136 & 136GS
Type 254 175cc
1955 R36 - R36SL

Ravat-Wonder Equivalents

Sources: Club Ydral, Didier Mahistre

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