A Brief History of the Marque
Ateliers Mécanique du Centre,
9 Rue Agrippa d'Auvigné,
Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Established in the 1920s by Henry and Louis Chartoire, the latter a fighter pilot during WWI, the firm produced paillons (straw packaging for wine and mineral water bottles). In the 1930s they had four factories which made 100,000 paillons per day, along with commercial cold storage equipment.
Louis built his first engine at the age of 16 and maintained his interest in engines throughout the 20s and 30s. He was also an aviation instructor at the Auvergne aero club, of which he was co-founder.
During the occupation AMC began developing motorcycle engines and the marque became a major force in the French motorcycle industry in the post-war years.
AMC propelled both Gima and Automoto to conquest at the 1949 Bol d'Or (Gima 125, Automoto 175), followed by victories at the 1951 and 1952 events by DS Malterre (175 class).
Louis died in 1992, the last surviving French WWI ace.
Machines built by the following constructors were equipped with AMC motors:
AMC Engine Types include:
Paris Salon de la Motocyclette, Octobre 1947
The OHV 125cc A.M.C. with 4-speed transmission and gear selector.
The engine is mounted on the frame using silent blocks. Note the Solex automobile-style carburettor.
1947 Salon de la Motocyclette, Moto Revue. Courtesy Memoire du Cycle.
Paris Salon de l'Automobile, Octobre 1948
A.M.C. ENGINES
MOTEURS A.M.C.
Fabriqué à Clermont-Ferrand par les Ateliers mécaniques du Centre, le moteur A.M.С. a, dès sa parution, suscité un gros intérêt. C'était en effet un des premiers 100 cmc. pour vélomoteurs qui fût un 4 temps à culbutuers. L'A.M.C. s'est rapidement imposé; nous nous rappelons avec plaisir l'essai que nous avons fait du 108 cmc. D'autres modèles sont nés depuis: un 125 et un 150 cmc., tous deux avec boîte à 4 vitesses et sélecteur au pied. Ces deux modèles avaient jusqu'alors la même culasse, máis on nous a assuré qu'au Salon nous verrions le dernier type 150 cmc. avec une culasse particulière.
Dans ce même numéro, une performance accomplie par Radior et une autre par Automoto mettront en valeur les qualités de ces moteurs.
Manufactured in Clermont-Ferrand by the Ateliers mécaniques du Centre, the A.M.C. engine, from its release, generated considerable interest. Indeed, one of the first 100cc mopeds was a four-stroke with overhead valves. The A.M.C. quickly became popular; we fondly remember our test drive of the 108cc model.
Other models have since been developed: a 125cc and a 150cc, both with a four-speed gearbox and foot shifter. These two models previously shared the same cylinder head, but we were assured that at the Motor Show we would see the latest 150cc model with a special cylinder head.
In this same issue, a performance by Radior and another by Automoto will highlight the qualities of these engines.
1948 Paris Salon, Motocycles. Courtesy Memoire du Cycle.
Notes
1. 1350 250cc engines were built between 1953 and 1960, of which some 800 went to Gima
Sources: Cycle Memory; acqs.free.fr, moto-collection.org; lesmotosgima; Moto-Histo.com; et al.
Mon Jan 04 2016
bill at earlyamericanautorepair.com
rocker lubrication
AMC 1949 170cc
How do the rocker arms get lubricated?
VA USA
Reply in the Emu Forum
Thu Dec 31 2015
bill at earlyamericanautorepair.com
Atlas Babycar
1949 170cc? 175cc?
Engine burns a lot of oil. Am searching for information and parts to repair piston/cylinder
VA USA
These machines were fitted with AMC 170cc engines. Ed.
Sat Nov 07 2009
liarces at hotmaildot com
Repuesto
AMC JEFREE 2006
Quiero saber si tienen el cilindro, la empaquetadura de arranque y
el piston de la moto amc jefree 125 cc
Ibague-Colombia
Thu Apr 28 2005
acqs92 at voila.fr
AMC website
Hi this is to inform you that a new website exits dedicated to AMC
french motors, and bikes that used at engines : Alcyon, New-Map, Huin,
Radior etc.
acqs.free.fr (404)
regards
Pierre
NB: The French AMC marque is not related to Associated Motor Cycle (AMC) UK
If you have a query or information about AMC motorcycle engines please contact us
