GIMA  1947-1956 (Groupement Industriel Métallurgique Automobile) is a French motorcycle manufacturer that built lightweight bikes.

It resumed production in 2005 with the production of modern retro reincarnation of the original 1950s bikes, but compliant with modern standards.

Based in Auvergne in the Puy-de-Dôme.

The engines were of 108 - 125 - 175 - 250 cm3, with CMA and Ydral engines.

The 108 cm3 is one of the first French mopeds "modern" equipped with a telescopic fork. They won many racing success, including placing first in the Bol d'Or in 1949 with Mathieu.

History

GIMA was a short-lived French manufacturer that made small but stylish bikes from 1947 to 1956, and would have slipped into obscurity were it not for a businessman called Hilario Gonzalez. After working for engine maker AMC and then starting his own business, Gonzalez restored a GIMA for his son a few years ago. Bitten by the bug, he decided to remanufacture a 125cc GIMA using the original design, subtly updated with modern engineering—including electronic ignition and contemporary carburetion. Permissions were obtained from Paul Josué, the original frame designer, and from Gilbert Chartoire, the son of AMC’s founder.

Gonzalez revealed the prototype to the public in 2005, and by early 2009 small-scale production was underway. Since then, production has been steady and demand strong. But the financial crisis has virtually crippled GIMA’s parent company—Gonzalez’ general engineering business—and it threatens to drag down GIMA too. 

Demise

But the crisis in the motorcycle industry in general, the war in Algeria, and the arrival of cheaper Italian scooters and Japanese motorcycles caused the decline of the brand which folded in 1955. Inventories parts are then sold to the neighboring company Favor will distribute the 125, 175 and 250 of Gima under the Favor badge.