born on 6.7.1909 in Pers-Jussy, Haute-Savoie
died on 3.5.1983 in Bry-sur-Marne, Val-de-Marne
was a French tuner who became particularly famous for his retrofitted Roots superchargers and his entries in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Just as many tuners, e.g. Michael May, began to use turbochargers to increase performance in the 1970s, it was common to use Roots superchargers in the 1950s. In Italy these were Enrico Nardi and Renato Danese and in France Alexis Constantin. In principle, any engine could be fitted with them. There were even Citroën 2CVs that lost their existence as traffic obstacles. Émile Darl'mat liked to use the retrofit kits for his sporty vehicles.
- Alexis Constantin.jpg (36.94 KiB) Viewed 75 times
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- Constantin-compresseur.jpeg (905.67 KiB) Viewed 75 times
But Constantin was not only active in the field of engine tuning, he also built special vehicles for racing and therefore deserves to be listed here in the coachbuild forum. Besides Peugeot 203s converted as coupés for 1952 and 1953, he also built a Barquetta on the same basis for 1954 and 1955. I could not find out who built the bodies.
His Le Mans entries all ended in retirement for various reasons.
From 1955 there is a photo of a Peugeot 203 built by Frua, which at first sight reminds of the "Supersonic" designed by Savonuzzi and built by Ghia.
- 1955_Peugeot_403_Constantin_Frua.jpg (92.51 KiB) Viewed 75 times
The road version of the Constantin Coupé
- Peugeot 203 Coupé Constantin 1.jpg (100.1 KiB) Viewed 75 times
Le Mans 1952
Alexis Constantin/Jaques Poch start number 43 retired after 117 laps (Coupé 1.3-Ltr supercharged)
- Peugeot 203 Coupé Constantin 2.jpg (209.98 KiB) Viewed 75 times
- Peugeot 203 Coupé Constantin 3.jpg (358.52 KiB) Viewed 75 times
- Peugeot_203_Constantin Le Mans 3.jpg (232.96 KiB) Viewed 75 times
Le Mans 1953
Alexis Constantin/Michel Aunaud start number 66 retired after 200 laps (Coupé 1.3-Ltr supercharged)
- Peugeot_203_Constantin Le Mans 1.jpg (256.63 KiB) Viewed 75 times
- Peugeot 203 Coupé Constantin Special.jpg (131.8 KiB) Viewed 75 times
Le Mans 1954
Alexis Constantin/Edmond Mouche start number 44 retired after 95 laps (Barquette 1.3-Ltr supercharged)
- Peugeot_203_Constantin 0.jpg (124.42 KiB) Viewed 75 times
- Constantin Barquette 1.jpg (777.49 KiB) Viewed 75 times
- Peugeot_203_Constantin Le Mans 2.jpg (235.34 KiB) Viewed 75 times
Le Mans 1955
Jacques Savoye/Jaques Poch, start number 69 retired after 52 laps (Barquette 2.0-Ltr without supercharger)
- Peugeot_203_Constantin 1955b.jpg (97.94 KiB) Viewed 75 times
- Peugeot_203_Constantin Le Mans 1955a.jpg (183.96 KiB) Viewed 75 times
A surviving Barquetta
- Peugeot_203_Constantin.jpg (141.15 KiB) Viewed 75 times
- Peugeot_203_Constantin 2.jpg (95.54 KiB) Viewed 75 times
- Peugeot_203_Constantin 1.jpg (149.5 KiB) Viewed 75 times
