The French Rochet-Schneider Type 9000 from 1909, 12 HP, four cylinders, 2500 cc, 70 km/h.
Rochet-Schneider was a French company, based in Lyons, that produced automobiles between 1894 and 1932.
Like other motorcars of the Brass Era, the cars made by Rochet-Schneider were largely intended for wealthy hobbyists and made use of brass fittings, pattern leather, hand-crafted wood and other expensive components.
Edouard Rochet and his father were bicycle manufacturers before entering motorcar production. In 1894 they were joined by Théophile Schneider, a relative of the eponymous armaments family.
Between 1895 and 1901, the company built approximately 240 single-cylinder cars “Benz-type” cars. At the 1901 Paris Salon, the company introduced a range of two and four-cylinder cars. Around 1903, these were redesigned along similar lines to Mercedes.
By this time, Rochet-Schneider had become one of the most respected car manufacturers in France. In 1904 the company was sold for 4.5 million francs and a London-based company called “Rochet-Schneider Ltd.” was formed. Production averaged less than 250 cars a year and by late 1907 the company was in liquidation.
