206 - BERNARD/GFA TRUCKS - c.1946

BERNARD/GFA TRUCKS - c.1946 “The heart and muscles of the all-around athlete” Rare, original, single-sided enamel advertising sign. “GFA” version. Generous size: 85 x 57.5 cm. In very good condition— The sign features vibrant colors and a superb original luster. There are only minor signs of wear along the outer edge and more pronounced metal oxidation on the right side of the lower edge, neither of which affects the overall aesthetic of the piece. BERNARD trucks were nicknamed “Lord of the Road” or “the Rolls-Royce of trucks.” In 1923, engineer Édouard Bernard founded his company in Arcueil and, as early as 1924, began full-scale production of Bernard trucks. The manufacturer took a major turn in 1933 by acquiring the exclusive license for Gardner diesel engines. After World War II, the brand joined the Groupement Français de l’Automobile (GFA) as part of the Pons Plan. Following the founder’s death in 1951, the company partnered with the American firm Mack Trucks, which acquired a stake in 1955 before taking full control in 1963. Plagued by serious financial difficulties, this iconic road transport brand ceased operations permanently when it went into receivership in 1967. The Générale Française Automobile (GFA) was an economic interest group created in April 1941 to address wartime shortages. This state-run consortium brought together the French automakers Bernard, Delahaye, Laffly, Simca, and Unic to streamline national production. The GFA was permanently dissolved in the early 1950s with the return to a free market. Val-de-Marne/Île-de-France The black-and-white photographs, which are not included in the sale, are an integral part of the description and serve to illustrate the lot.