De La Chapelle
Corporate brand
UnclaimedDe La Chapelle is a French independent car builder known for limited-production classic-car replicas, bespoke sports cars, and miniature cars for children.
Last updated August 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile yet.
Overview
De La Chapelle is a French independent automobile marque with roots in bicycle, motorcycle, voiturette, and full-size car production. The historic company, De la Chapelle Frères et Compagnie, was formed in 1900 to manufacture bicycles. It moved into motorcycles in 1901 and voiturettes in 1907, before producing larger four-cylinder automobiles from 1910 through 1914. Its first light car to enter production was the 8CV, a small model powered by a De Dion-Bouton single-cylinder engine of approximately one litre. The marque was revived in 1975 by Xavier de la Chapelle. The revived business initially concentrated on recreating or reinterpreting important pre-war automobiles, particularly Bugatti designs. Its first Type 55 replica was produced between 1978 and 1982. Although inspired by the Bugatti Type 55, the car was not a dimensionally exact copy: it was redesigned around smaller, more modern wheels and contemporary mechanical requirements. Early examples used an Opel Commodore cam-in-head six-cylinder engine. The first revived cars were initially associated with the historic Stimula name, reflecting the Belle Époque identity of the earlier company. In 1982, De La Chapelle secured access to BMW six-cylinder engines in 2.0- to 2.5-litre capacities. This gave customers access to BMW powertrains and enabled servicing through BMW dealerships in France. The company subsequently expanded its replica range and engaged Lyon-based designer Bertrand Barré to develop additional interpretations of the same general sporting theme. The 2+2 Tourer appeared in 1990, followed by the lower and less expensive Grand Prix in 1992. Six examples of the Atalante were also built. The company restarted again in 1985, bringing back the Stimula Roadster and gradually developing variations on the roadster concept. In 1996, it introduced the Roadster, described as the company's first original design rather than a replica. The Roadster used Peugeot mechanical components, including four-cylinder and V6 engines. De La Chapelle also developed the Parcours, an original minivan concept powered by a Mercedes-Benz V8 or Jaguar V12, with three examples built according to the cited reference material. A distinctive additional business was the production of junior cars: small, functioning replicas of famous automobiles for children. Unlike many electrically powered children's cars, De La Chapelle's junior models used internal-combustion engines. The range included miniature versions of the BMW 328, Bugatti Type 55, and Ferrari 330 P2. Approximately 1,500 junior cars were produced before that activity ended toward the end of the 1990s. Overall, De La Chapelle occupies a specialist position between coachbuilding, historic-car recreation, low-volume sports-car manufacture, and luxury novelty vehicles. Publicly available reference material does not establish its current ownership, operating status, production scale, or official website.
History
De La Chapelle's history spans two distinct phases: the original French manufacturer established around the beginning of the twentieth century and a later specialist-car revival led by Xavier de la Chapelle. The original enterprise was formed in 1900 under the name De la Chapelle Frères et Compagnie. It began with bicycles, entered motorcycle production in 1901, and moved into voiturettes in 1907. By 1910 it was producing full-size cars with four-cylinder engines. The first light car to enter production was the 8CV, which used a De Dion-Bouton single-cylinder engine with a displacement of about 1,021 cc. The original automobile activity ended in 1914. Xavier de la Chapelle revived the marque in 1975. The revived company first became known for recreating the appearance and spirit of notable pre-war sports cars, especially Bugatti models. Production of the Type 55 Replica began in 1978 and continued through 1982. The car was an interpretation rather than an exact reproduction of the Bugatti Type 55: its proportions and construction were adapted for smaller modern wheels and contemporary mechanical components. Early cars used a six-cylinder Opel Commodore engine. The revived company initially used the Belle Époque-era Stimula name for this line. A significant mechanical change came in 1982, when the company obtained rights to use BMW six-cylinder engines of between 2.0 and 2.5 litres. The arrangement also allowed owners to have the cars serviced through BMW dealerships in France. De La Chapelle expanded the replica family with assistance from Lyon-based designer Bertrand Barré. The 2+2 Tourer was introduced in 1990, and the lower-cost Grand Prix followed in 1992. The company also built six Atalantes. The business was restarted again in 1985, with the Stimula Roadster returning and further variants being developed. In 1996, De La Chapelle presented the Roadster, its first original automobile design. The Roadster used Peugeot engines, including four-cylinder and V6 configurations. Another original project was the Parcours, a minivan concept using either a Mercedes-Benz V8 or Jaguar V12; three examples were built. Alongside full-size vehicles, the company developed junior replicas for children. These were small-scale copies of real classic and racing cars, but unlike many contemporary children's vehicles they used internal-combustion engines rather than electric motors. The junior range included BMW 328, Bugatti Type 55, and Ferrari 330 P2 versions. Around 1,500 were produced before the line ended near the end of the 1990s. The available reference material does not document later ownership, a confirmed present-day production program, or the company's current legal and operating status.
- 1996
First original Roadster design
[1]The Peugeot-engined Roadster became the company's first design not based on a direct historic-car replica.
- 1992
Grand Prix introduced
[1]The lower and less expensive Grand Prix variant joined the company's offerings.
- 1990
Tourer introduced
[1]The 2+2 Tourer added a more practical body style to the replica-oriented range.
- 1985
Company restarted
[1]The business restarted and brought back the Stimula Roadster while expanding its range.
- 1982
BMW engine arrangement
[1]The company obtained rights to use BMW six-cylinder engines between 2.0 and 2.5 litres and enabled servicing through BMW dealerships in France.
- 1979
Junior replica line begins
[1]The company began producing small internal-combustion replicas for children, starting with BMW 328 and Bugatti Type 55 versions.
- 1978
Type 55 Replica enters production
[1]Production began on the Type 55 Replica, an interpretation of the Bugatti Type 55.
- 1975
Marque revived
[1]Xavier de la Chapelle revived the marque, initially focusing on Bugatti-inspired replicas.
- 1914
Historic automobile production ends
[1]The original full-size automobile manufacturing period ended.
- 1910
Full-size automobile production
[1]De la Chapelle began producing full-size four-cylinder automobiles, including the 8CV light car.
Products and positioning
A French specialist marque combining historic automobile homage, coachbuilt styling, limited-series manufacturing, and miniature internal-combustion replicas.
Classic-car replica · 1978
De La Chapelle Type 55 Replica
Produced from 1978 to 1982, the Type 55 Replica was an homage to the Bugatti Type 55 rather than a dimensionally exact copy. Its design was adapted for smaller modern wheels and used contemporary mechanical components. Early cars were powered by the six-cylinder engine from the Opel Commodore; later examples used BMW six-cylinder engines.
2+2 replica grand tourer · 1990
De La Chapelle Tourer
Introduced in 1990, the Tourer extended De La Chapelle's replica theme into a 2+2 configuration. It was developed with Lyon-based designer Bertrand Barré and provided a more practical interpretation of the company's low-volume sporting cars.
Sports-car replica · 1992
De La Chapelle Grand Prix
The Grand Prix was introduced in 1992 as a sleeker and lower-cost variation on the company's established replica concept. It formed part of the range developed after the adoption of BMW six-cylinder powertrains.
Limited-production replica
De La Chapelle Atalante
The Atalante was a highly limited model in the revived replica range. Six examples were built.
Original sports car · 1996
De La Chapelle Roadster
Introduced in 1996, the Roadster was identified as De La Chapelle's first original creation rather than a replica of an existing historic automobile. It used Peugeot powertrains, including four-cylinder and V6 engines, and was built in very small numbers.
Concept minivan
De La Chapelle Parcours
The Parcours was an original minivan concept designed by Bertrand Barré. Its cited powertrain options included a Mercedes-Benz V8 and a Jaguar V12. Three examples were built.
Children's miniature automobile · 1979
De La Chapelle Junior Replicas
De La Chapelle produced small, functioning replicas of famous cars for children. Unlike many junior vehicles that used electric motors, these models used internal-combustion engines. Approximately 1,500 units were built across the line before production ended toward the end of the 1990s.
Junior replica · 1979
BMW 328 Junior
A small-scale internal-combustion replica of the BMW 328, produced as part of De La Chapelle's junior-car program.
Junior replica · 1979
Bugatti Type 55 Junior
A child-sized internal-combustion interpretation of the Bugatti Type 55, offered alongside the company's full-size Type 55-inspired automobile.
Junior replica
Ferrari 330 P2 Junior
A miniature replica of the Ferrari 330 P2, added to the junior range after the BMW 328 and Bugatti Type 55 versions.
Brand decisions
1996
Introduction of the original RoadsterProduct launchBackground
After years focused primarily on recreating historic designs, the company pursued an original vehicle concept.
Action taken
De La Chapelle introduced the Peugeot-engined Roadster, described as its first original creation.
Aftermath
The Roadster marked a shift from replica production toward original low-volume automobile design.
1992
Launch of the Grand PrixProduct launchBackground
De La Chapelle sought to broaden its low-volume range with a less expensive and lower-profile model.
Action taken
The company introduced the sleeker, lower-cost Grand Prix variant.
Aftermath
The model became part of the marque's expanded replica portfolio.
1990
Launch of the TourerProduct launchBackground
The company was expanding beyond its initial Type 55-inspired offering.
Action taken
De La Chapelle introduced the 2+2 Tourer as a broader interpretation of its replica-oriented sports-car theme.
Aftermath
The Tourer was followed by the Grand Prix in 1992 and further limited models.
1982
Adoption of BMW six-cylinder enginesStrategyBackground
The revived company sought a more serviceable and commercially practical powertrain arrangement for its replica cars.
Action taken
De La Chapelle obtained rights to use BMW six-cylinder engines with displacements between 2.0 and 2.5 litres and enabled servicing through BMW dealerships in France.
Aftermath
The BMW arrangement supported the development of additional replica variants, including the Tourer and Grand Prix.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/de-la-chapelle · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled