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 Nougier - 500 4-cylinder Grand Prix
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Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
408

Capacity : 500
Model : 4-cylinder Grand Prix
Production : 1954 - 1955
Category : (R) Racing

NOUGIER

500 cc 4-Cylinder Grand Prix -1954

The wizard of Provence

Except in the early years of last 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 Saint Andiol, near Avignon in Provence. Nougiers were built from stem to stern by Jean Nougier 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 based on Terrot / Magnat-Debon machines and his 250 twin , 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. Norton try to buy the project but finally gave up. The results this amazing bike achieved never show its real potential.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: air-cooled 500 cc (54x54 mm) 4- cylinder four-stroke

Power Rating: 50+ hp @ 11,000 rpm

Valves: chain-driven twin overhead camshafts

Fuel System: 4 carburetors

Transmission: 5 or 6-speed gearbox

Suspension: (front) telescopic fork; (rear) swinging atm

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, and the dring pinions behind and not in between the cylinders. To keep it narrow, there is just tbree float chambers for the quadruple carburetors.

Much more info on all the Nougiers racing bikes, in the book «Nougier, 1932-1972 – Le rêve français» by François-Marie Dumas (Text in french only)

Click here to download the purchase order  / contact info@moto-collection.org




Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.