One of the best-known French sportscar makers, the name Amilcar comes from its two backers, Joseph Lamy and Emile Akar.  Production began at St. Denis in 1921 and by 1924 over 15,000 cars had been built.  From the late 1920’s, the company concentrated on touring cars, but sales declined in the 1930’s and Hotchkiss bought the firm in 1938.  The last cars to be badged as Amilcar were manufactured in 1939.