Peugeot Bébé

Infobox Automobile generation


name = Peugeot Bèbè
manufacturer = Peugeot
parent_company =
aka = Peugeot Type 69
Peugeot Type BP1
production = 1905-1916
assembly = Audincourt
Beaulieu
predecessor = Peugeot Type 57
successor = Peugeot Quadrilette
class = Supermini
body_style =
layout = FR layout
platform =
engine = 652 cc single-cylinder
855 cc I4
transmission = 3-speed manual
wheelbase =
length =
width =
height =
weight =
fuel_capacity =
related =
designer = Ettore Bugatti (Type BP1)

The Peugeot Bèbè or Baby was a small car nameplate from Peugeot made from 1905 to 1916. Vehicles under this name were known technically within Peugeot as the Type 69 and the Type BP1.

Type 69

The original Bèbè was presented at the Paris Motor Show in 1904 and stole the show as a modern and robust creation that was cheap, small, and practical. Its weight was convert|350|kg|lb and length was convert|2.7|m|in, and these tidy dimensions meant that its small engine could propel it to convert|40|km/h|mph. Though selling price was deliberately kept as low as possible, technologies like rack and pinion steering and a driveshaft instead of a chain were included in the vehicle. Production began in Audincourt in 1905, and the car proved to be popular. Bébé sold 400 units in the first year, or 80% of Peugeot's production. It was also exported, particularly to Britain. The Type 69 was sold until 1912.

Type BP1

The Type BP1 Bébé was a design by Ettore Bugatti, initially for the German car firm Wanderer, then also built under license by Peugeot for the French market. Peugeot displayed it under their marque at the Paris Motor Show in 1912. Production began in 1913 following discontinuation of the Type 69. Wanderer built their car with Bugatti's own 4-speed transmission, but in order to keep production costs down for the French version, Peugeot fitted a 2-speed gearbox initially, which was then replaced by their own 3-speed. The engine was also Peugeot's own, a tiny straight-4 that produced convert|10|hp|kW at 2000 rpm, which gave the small car a top speed of convert|60|km/h|mph. Weight was again below convert|350|kg|lb, though the track was wide enough for two to sit abreast. Bébé scored some racing success among small car classes, notably at Mont Ventoux in 1913, where it won in its class. This model ran until 1916, and a total of 3,095 were produced.

References

* [http://www.peugeot.com/en/history/a-century-of-models/1900-1910/1905--bebe-type-69.aspx Bebe Type 69]
* [http://www.peugeot.com/en/history/a-century-of-models/1910-1920/1913--bebe-type-bp-1.aspx Bebe Type BP 1]
* [http://peugeot.mainspot.net/models2.shtml Peugeot car models from 1910-1949]