Rovin D4- 1953

Robert and Raul de Rovin began building cyclecars and motorcycles in the 1920s. After World War II ended, the French government encouraged the development of economy cars to get the nation moving again after the devastation of war. Low purchase price and cheap maintenance were essential. Rovin began production of the D2 — a doorless body with a tiny 260cc engine; about 200 were produced from 1946-1948. The D3 was introduced in 1948 and it had a larger engine and the body now had doors, windows, and a roof. By 1950, the D4 which you see here went into production. Rovin was most successful in the early 1950s, although car production continued until 1961. By this time, the small company could no longer compete with the lower-priced, mass-produced cars of the large French manufacturers.