BSH: The Rare French Kit Car That Left a Lasting Impression

 

Introduction

Imagine stumbling upon a mysterious photo of a rare French race car. That’s exactly what happened to me when I first encountered the BSH. After studying the car's unique stickers and design, I managed to track it down to its origins: the BSH (Benais Saint-Hilaire), a rare and fascinating piece of motorsport history. This article isn’t just about a car; it’s a journey to uncover the story behind a hidden gem from the 1960s and 70s.

The BSH may not be glamorous by today’s standards, but it carries a distinct charm—a low-volume French kit car built for motorsport enthusiasts, designed to make high-performance driving accessible to those with the passion but not necessarily the budget for factory-built race cars.

The Story Behind the BSH

BSH was the brainchild of two passionate engineers, François Benais and Max Saint-Hilaire. Combining their last names, they created the company that would bring this unique car to life. Benais was an engineer with a deep love for motorsports, and he wanted to design a car for people who shared his enthusiasm. Saint-Hilaire, his partner, worked alongside him, contributing heavily to the car’s engineering and construction. Together, they built a car that was not just for professional racers but for anyone with a desire to get behind the wheel of something special.

The duo’s goal was clear: create an affordable and customizable kit car that anyone could assemble using parts from existing production vehicles. The result was the BSH—a car that promised thrilling performance without the hefty price tag.

Production began in September 1969, with the car rolling off the assembly line until 1972 at a small workshop in Issy-les-Moulineaux, France. For a time, the car was sold locally, but by 1971, it was acquired by Marland, a French company known for building VW Buggies and roadsters based on the 2CV.

The Technical Details

Renault R8 Gordini 

At its core, the BSH was built using the mechanics of the Renault R8, later incorporating elements from the Renault R12 and R16. The R8’s 1255cc, 85hp Gordini 4-cylinder engine formed the heart of the car. Paired with a lightweight two-piece fiberglass body mounted on a custom tubular chassis, the BSH was a beast on the track. The combination of the powerful engine and the lightweight body allowed the car to reach speeds of 200 km/h, with a total weight of just around 600 kg.

The BSH wasn’t just a lightweight machine—it was a customizable one. While the base model used the Renault R8 engine, later versions featured a 1.6-liter engine from the Renault R16, delivering 125 bhp. This made the car especially popular among amateur motorsport enthusiasts, especially in club events. The beauty of the BSH was that it came as a complete knock-down kit, ready to be assembled by anyone with a bit of mechanical know-how.

In 1970, the BSH was priced at 9,250 F (roughly 10,497€ in today’s value), and it required an additional 1,000 to 2,000 euros for a salvaged Renault R8 for the mechanical parts. Despite its affordability, it was a performance car at heart, frequently seen at hill climb events and—perhaps most notably—at the Tour de France automobile race. However, contrary to popular belief, it never made an appearance at Le Mans.

Assembly was no easy task. It took roughly 200 hours to put together a fully functional BSH, making it a true labor of love. And while many kits were sold, only a handful have survived to this day. According to one BSH expert, “We estimate that 50-60 BSH kits were sold, but not all were completed. Today, there are likely only around twenty left in working order.”

The Design and Legacy

The BSH may not have been a head turner, but it more than made up for it in performance. Its design was unmistakable, with a front end that some have compared to the Porsche 904. From the side, it evokes the look of Lola and the 1960s Ferrari/Maserati Birdcage prototypes—definitely a car that commanded attention.

The car's design was all about function. Featuring a central cockpit and a complete one-piece, hinged front and rear body clips, it was easy to assemble and maintain. Visibility was excellent, and the cabin was surprisingly spacious—allowing even the tallest of drivers to wear their helmets and get behind the wheel comfortably.

What stood out the most about the BSH, however, was its purpose: it wasn’t about looks—it was about delivering real performance. And in that respect, it certainly delivered.

Conclusion

When I first came across the BSH, I couldn’t help but be intrigued. This rare French kit car has its own fascinating history—one that blends engineering innovation with a deep passion for motorsport. While the BSH may never have reached the mainstream popularity of other iconic cars, its legacy lives on through the small number of surviving models.

This article, while brief, is my personal journey to understand a car that left a lasting impression on me. It’s a record I’ll be able to refer back to when I want to remember a time when car enthusiasts didn’t need to buy the best—they just needed the drive to create something great.