Founded in 1866 under the name Société Anonyme des Chantiers de La Buire. Focused on manufacturing rolling stock (trams, passenger and freight wagons). Also worked in sheet-metal work and steam engines.

In 1889, the company reportedly launched into building a series of steam tricycles, roughly identical to that of Léon Serpollet.

From 1903, car production began, and the company tested its prototypes on Alpine climbs: the 25/30 HP model was capable of climbing 35° slopes. It won the Mont Ventoux hill-climb races in 1906 and 1907.

La Buire equipped its cars with the "mountain brake," which would become its claim to fame — a brake pedal acting on the rear wheels and on the transmission, allowing the driver to keep both hands on the wheel.

It filed a patent for brightly colored clothing to be worn in case of breakdown.

-  Engine: 4-cylinder in-line, side valves
-  Zenith jet carburetor
-  Magneto ignition
-  Leather-lined cone clutch
-  Chain transmission, 3 speeds + reverse