Ballot was a French manufacturer, initially of engines, that also made automobiles between 1919 and 1932. Ernest Ballot became well known as a designer of reliable engines. He helped Ettore Bugatti in developing his first engines.
Origins
Ernest Ballot and Julien Faivre founded their company at the Boulevard Brune in south-central Paris in 1905.Ernest Ballot's brother Albert was also involved early in the company's life.[1] Ernest Ballot was a former naval officer, which explains the "anchor" that featured in the badges on the cars.
Before World War I the factory concentrated on marine and industrial engines,[2] and from 1910 or 1911 they also offered automobile engines.
The company was re-founded as Etablissements Ballot SA in 1910.
Sporting successes
There is little sign that Ernest Ballot himself took much interest in automobiles until December 1918.[2]