Terrot G 1925

Terrot Type G from 1925, JAP 350 cc engine, 3.5 HP.

Terrot was a motorcycle manufacturer in Dijon, France (1902-1961). Charles Terrot and Wilhelm Stücklen had founded a machinery factory in Cannstatt, Germany in 1862, and Terrot added a branch factory in Dijon in 1887. In 1890 the Dijon factory added bicycles to its products. Its first motorized vehicles were three- and four wheelers with De Dion engines.

In 1902 Terrot made the first motorcycle, powered by a 2 bhp engine supplied by Zédel of Switzerland. It had angled cylinder and horizontal ribs; this scheme was used for several years. In 1905 a twin engine was introduced, with vertical back cylinder and angled front cylinder. This motorcycle, like previous one, had a belt drive. From 1915 Terrot supplied 500cc machines to the French Army. After WW1 Terrot started to build two-stroke motorcycles with proprietary engines; in 1921 the company launched two new models, the 175cc model L and 267cc model E. In 1925 the latter model was developed into the 250cc model F. From 1923 Terrot also produced four-stroke models with JAP and Blackbourne engines; firstly with a 350cc with JAP engine and from 1927 also with a 500cc engine. From 1926 Terrot started making its own four-stroke engines and in 1929 the company produced its 100,000th motorcycle. After the Great Depression a new vehicle class, motorized bicycles, was launched.

In 1931 Terrot entered motorcycle racing and won a triple championship, winning the French 250cc, 350cc and 500cc classes. In the Second World War Terrot supplied the French Army with sidecar outfits, the model GT from 350cc to 750cc and the model DT from 500cc to 750cc (to the left: Terrot requisited by German army). In 1951 Terrot made its first motor scooter, and in the 1950s the company concentrated on the market for mopeds and lightweight motorcycles. In 1958 Peugeot took over the company, and in 1961 production at the former Terrot factory was terminated.