Société Gladiator, cycle manufacturers at Pré-St.

Gervais, were cycle makers whose business was acquired in 1896 by motoring pioneer Harvey Du Cros.

Under Du Cros's leadership they built their first car, a single-cylinder, 4hp voiturette in 1896.

Later light cars were Aster-powered and S.F.

Edge's Motor Power Co.

in London was appointed a Gladiator agent.

Gladiator cars were to participate in some of the great motor racing events in the first decade of the 20th Century, including the Paris-Berlin Race and early Tourist Trophy races on the Isle of Man.

Gladiator introduced a 12/14hp, four-cylinder model in 1906, conventional in all respects and with a four-speed gearbox, however by 1909 the more sporting motorist could buy a mighty 60hp six-cylinder model at the top end of a varied range.

In 1910 the company moved to Puteaux, following acquisition by Vinot et Deguingand and essentially the new Gladiator was a badge-engineered Vinot.

The 12/14hp model, with its L-head configurat...