Fournier-Marcadier Barquette: France’s First Sports Kit Car

Racing Renaissance - While France is often celebrated for its haute couture, fine wines, and romantic cities, it has also quietly contributed remarkable innovations in the world of automotive design. Amidst the wave of industrial ingenuity that swept through Europe in the mid-20th century, one unique gem stood out—not for mass production or luxury, but for its spirit of performance and accessibility. 

The Fournier-Marcadier 01 Barquetta is a sports kit car made by the French duo André Marcadier and Marcel Fournier ranging of 1963 to 1966. (Picture from: ForumMarcadier)

That car was the Fournier-Marcadier Barquette, a pioneering sports kit car that brought racing dreams within reach for many French enthusiasts. The story begins in Lyon, where a talented bicycle maker named André Marcadier was crafting lightweight, high-quality bikes that stood out for their inventive design. Known for his attention to detail and structural efficiency, Marcadier's early reputation was built on two wheels. But his passion for speed and engineering soon took him beyond the world of bicycles. 

The Fournier-Marcadier 01 Barquetta is powered by a 1.1 liter straight-four engine derived from the Renault 8 Gordini which has been tuned to churn out up to 89 horsepower. (Picture from: ClassicCarWeekly)

By 1956, he shifted focus to four wheels, designing and constructing a lightweight go-kart chassis that would eventually achieve success on the European endurance racing circuit, particularly in 1961 with the Verd-Dumont-Janoray team.

The Marcadier Barzoï coupé is built ranging of the 1970s as many as 20 units. (Picture from: Marcadier)

Marcadier was deeply inspired by Colin Chapman—the visionary behind Lotus—and his revolutionary approach to lightweight racing machines. Fuelled by admiration and a desire to bring similar innovation to France, Marcadier ventured into the automotive arena. He partnered with Marcel Fournier, and their collaboration gave birth to something France had never seen before: its first kit car, the FM 01 Barquette, introduced in 1963.

The Marcadier Barzoï coupé is built featured with the unique style of gull-wing doors. (Picture from: Marcadier)

This compact yet powerful vehicle was a marvel in its time. Under its sleek fiberglass body sat a 1.1-liter inline-four engine sourced from the Renault 8 Gordini. Tuned to deliver up to 89 horsepower and positioned mid-rear for optimal balance, it provided an exhilarating driving experience that echoed the agility of race cars far beyond its price range. Visually and mechanically, the FM 01 Barquette drew comparisons to the Lotus 23—a testament to Marcadier's dream of creating a French alternative to British kit cars.

During the 1980s, Marcadier even had time to launch a futuristic car model called the Marcadier Barzoï 2. (Picture from: MegaNeccForum)

But the Barquette wasn’t just a lookalike. It stood on its own as a favorite among amateur racers and track-day fans who desired a stylish and lightweight car without the financial burden of factory-made performance vehicles. Between its debut in 1963 and the end of its production run in 1966, only 60 units were built—making it both rare and desirable to collectors today.

The Marcadier Barzoï 2 is built on the a Simca 1000 Rallye chassis and powered by an 80 horsepower straight-four engine of 1.3-liters. (Picture from: MegaNeccForum)

The 1970s brought change as Marcel Fournier left the partnership, leaving Marcadier to carry the torch alone. But instead of stepping back, Marcadier expanded his lineup with models like the Barzoï Coupé, known for its distinctive gull-wing doors. In the workshop at Mions, a total of about 150 units—including various Barquettes, Barzoï Coupés, and even single-seater race cars in the Formula Renault and Can-Am styles—were handcrafted over the years.

André Marcadier posed along with various of his creations ranging of his first bicycle product to a gorgeous Barzoï coupé. (Picture from: Marcadier)

Marcadier didn’t stop innovating. In the 1980s, he unveiled a futuristic follow-up called the Barzoï 2 and even began producing replicas of icons like the Seven, Cobra, and GT40. His workshop became a beacon for creativity and automotive ambition, all from the heart of Lyon. He continued to influence the French motorsport and kit car scenes until his passing in 2013, at the age of 88.😢

Today, the legacy of the Fournier-Marcadier Barquette lives on not only in the few surviving examples—like the one sold in 2013 for $32,750—but also in the inspiration it continues to offer to car builders and racing fans alike. It stands as a reminder that with passion, partnership, and a bit of bold engineering, even a small French workshop can make motorsport history. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MARCADIER | CLASSICDRIVER | OSENAT | CLASSICCAEWEEKLY | MYSPCARS | ]

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