The Balet brothers · 1901–1909
History of the Auto Garage Términus in Barcelona (1901–1909)
When and where was the Auto Garage Términus founded? (1901–1903)
In 1901 the brothers Domingo and Enrique Balet i Duran, sons of the master builder Domènec Balet i Nadal (known for wonderful buildings such as Casa Pere Llibre on Passeig de Gràcia, the Alhambra building or the Torre Vermella...), became sole agents in Spain for Benz (today Mercedes-Benz) and set up the Auto Garage Términus dealership.
Enrique Balet Duran (1915)
Domingo Balet Duran (1867 - 31/08/1936) studied law and worked first as a judge and then as a lawyer, but between the two, together with his brother Enrique Balet Duran (1885 - 21/11/1936), he created one of the finest car dealerships in early 20th-century Barcelona.
The Auto Garage Términus began selling Benz vehicles as sole agent for Spain in 1901 from sales offices at Passeig de Gràcia, 2, and later, in 1903, the brothers opened their first premises, a multi-brand dealership and workshop. From then on their catalogue included new and used vehicles of the Berliet, Anglada and Hispano-Suiza makes (among many others). This sales activity went hand in hand with repairs and the fitting of top-brand tyres.
Some years earlier, Emilio de la Cuadra Albiol (army officer, electrical-industry entrepreneur and car maker) had held the Benz agency from 1899 to 1901, but his electric and petrol car projects never quite worked, and the need for greater investment to build them made it impossible for the company to carry on.
The Auto Garage Términus had several locations:
- An advertisement from October 1903 places the business at Passeig de Gràcia, 2, but we believe these were only sales offices with no vehicle showroom.
- In December 1903 they opened their first premises at Carrer de Bailèn, 52, on the corner of Corts (today's Gran Via).
- Given their success, a month later, in January 1904, they moved to much larger premises at Carrer de València, 290 (between Passeig de Gràcia and Carrer de Pau Claris).
- In August 1904 they expanded the business by renting the premises next door, at Carrer de València, 292.
5. In 1905 they moved to Carrer de les Corts, 629 (today's Gran Via, between Pau Claris and Roger de Llúria). The photos below show the Auto Garage Condal, which later occupied the same premises (with its workshop at Carrer d'Aribau, 49). Today it is the Hotel Indigo.
“Then and now” photo of the premises, with the sign in the window for Rochet Schneider of Lyon cars and lorries.
The façade of the Hotel Indigo today.
Advertising for the Auto Garage Condal at Corts 629. It also shows the date 1913 and the make of vehicle it sold: Rochet Schneider of Lyon.
6. A last advertisement from 1912 places the Auto Garage Términus at Carrer d'Aragó, 282
The Auto Garage Términus lived through important moments in its short life:
- The sale of an Anglada to King Alfonso XIII
- The private driving lessons given to the King by Mr Domingo Balet.
- The later appointment as Purveyors to the Royal Household, which meant advising on and selling every vehicle bought by the King, a great collector.
- On the King's visit to Valencia, Domingo Balet presented him with a Benz 40 HP Landaulet.
- The first vehicle auctions (unique in Spain at the time).
- The publication of their own free magazine, called Barcelona Automóvil.
From this paragraph on, I invite you to read the news items about the Auto Garage to get an idea of everything that happened there, some of it of real importance for motoring in Spain. The Events, Advertisements and Clients sections of the website are also very interesting: don't miss them!
The first Auto Garage Términus advertisement (1901)
The book "Manual del Chauffeur nociones Teórico Prácticas de Automovilismo" by Don Pompello Martin (military engineer) contains an advertisement for the Auto Garage Términus which, right after the address, says "Fundado en el Año 1901" (founded in 1901), so we can be sure that this was the actual year of its founding.
Cover of the book
Inside page of the book with the Auto Garage advertisement
Enlarged detail reading: Fundado en el año 1901
Opening of the first premises in December 1903
A long feature in Los Deportes of 27 March 1904 gives us a great deal of information about when the first premises opened, when the dealership changed address, the makes and models it sold, and so on.
"Tireless activity is evident at this new garage: its owners, our friends Messrs Domingo Balet and Brother, go out of their way to offer real advantages to chauffeurs, so that all their enthusiasm is devoted to the true development of motoring, to helping the pastime thrive and, in a word, to providing every kind of financial facility, on which the growth of a sport so often depends.
Truly, Messrs Balet Brothers have worked with tremendous enthusiasm; they began their story as agents for Benz Parsifal cars and, undaunted by the many setbacks that competition and the reputation of other makes tend to bring, they have always worked with ardent faith, through which they have at last reaped the rewards of steady and determined effort.
They opened their Garage Términus last December in Calle de Bailén, on the corner of Calle de las Cortes, and barely a month after opening they had to move to grander premises; fortune has favoured them so much that, if there was bustle in the old premises, in the new one, in Calle de Valencia near Calle de Claris, one cannot enter without feeling intense satisfaction at the work and activity going on, proof that motoring has a thriving life in our country and that only firm resolve is needed for this industry to develop here with all the vigour we have a right to expect.
And that our friends Messrs Balet Brothers can be a most important factor in this vigour and in the sporting and industrial development we so eagerly desire is proved by the fact that, while on the one hand their enterprising spirit has created a new garage in this city, on the other their initiatives and hard work have swelled the ranks of motoring amateurs, bringing into the most modern of sports distinguished figures who had never dreamed of owning a motor car, besides the sales that various makes have achieved through them by placing their cars with long-standing and very keen motorists; so that shortly, and through their good offices, several cars and chassis have arrived and will continue to arrive in this city which, as well as attracting great attention, will write a brilliant page for the Garage Términus.
If Messrs Balet have won laurels and profit with the Benz-Parsifal make, it seems they will do even better, if that is possible, with the famed Berliet cars and their so-called ideal chassis, which are undoubtedly destined to do well in our country... "
First sales: trials, trips and the Berliets (spring 1904)
Trial run of the Berliet 24 HP from Barcelona to Puigcerdà
In Los Deportes, 8 May 1904:
"The two 24 H.P. Berliet cars we saw at the Garage Términus of Messrs Balet and brother are currently out on a trip to test their splendid qualities on the climbs of El Bruc. They left this city on Wednesday at two in the afternoon, reached Manresa at five and spent the night in Berga, where they arrived at six, then to continue on the road to Puigcerdà."
Sales trip through southern Spain
The same issue of Los Deportes of 8 May 1904 shows how important selling vehicles from Barcelona to the rest of Spain was:
"The distinguished chauffeur Enrique Balet, of the Garage Términus, has set off on a promotional tour of southern Spain in a magnificent «Benz Parsifal» motor car. We wish him a pleasant journey and every success in his business."
Three Berliets reach the dealership: 12, 24 and 40 horsepower
Los Deportes of 15 May 1904 explains how well vehicle sales were going in Barcelona and the rest of Spain thanks to the sales trips:
"We are told that in a few days several Berliet cars will arrive in this city, one of 40 H.P., another of 12 and another of 24, which may be admired at the Autogaraje Términus of Messrs Balet Brothers, at number 290, Calle de Valencia.
And speaking of Messrs Balet and their garage, we are informed that there is great motoring activity at the firm, since it is not only the Berliet cars mentioned that are arriving thanks to their initiative, but several Benz-Parsifal cars as well: some will stay here, such as that of D. Pedro Calvet, with a Roi des Belges body, and that of the Count of Bell-lloch, while others, after being on view at the said garage, will leave for Valencia, destined for D. Ricardo Hilario, the Count of Villamar, the Viscount of San Germán, etc., for the trip made by the eminent chauffeur D. Enrique Balet to the beautiful banks of the Turia has been so wonderfully successful that the firm's mechanic, Mr Campmany, has had to take to the road, steering wheel in hand, to help the venture along by driving a Berliet to Valencia and getting ready to receive other cars.
Those little devils, the Balet brothers, truly deserve congratulations for how much they are doing to spread motoring and widen their sphere of action, winning new converts every day to the most modern of sports."
Sponsoring a racing driver
Los Deportes, 29 May 1904
"Our friend Escoda, who has won so many laurels riding motorcycles, is to take up motoring and to that end joins the Garage Términus of Messrs Balet and Brother as a professional; they will place a 40-horsepower Benz Parsifal at his disposal for him to learn to handle the wheel, and the German engineer of the Benz y C. firm himself, Mr Kesler, will see to Escoda's training. We have no doubt he will win honour and profit from motoring, and he is a splendid acquisition for the very active Balet brothers."
Seven cars sold in Valencia
Los Deportes of that same 5 June announced the sale of 7 cars in Valencia (it must have been a huge commercial achievement at the time!). The start of the trip had been reported earlier, in Los Deportes of 8 May 1904.
"The well-known chauffeur D. Enrique Balet, of the Garage Términus, has returned from his tour of Valencia, Andalusia and Madrid, having reaped brilliant success and no little honour while away, for in the city of the Turia alone he has placed seven motor cars. May it do him good, and may he try his hand again."
Alfonso XIII, the Anglada 24 HP and the title of Purveyor to the Royal Household (1904–1905)
Sale of an Anglada 24 HP to King Alfonso XIII
Los Deportes of 22 May 1904 published the big news of the sale by the Auto Garage Términus of an Anglada 24 H.P. to King Alfonso XIII, his first car, at the age of 18. He was also given private driving lessons by Mr Domingo Balet in person.
"If all our reports and news prove true, no small luck attends Messrs Balet Brothers, owners of the Auto-Garage Términus in this city. Having placed several foreign cars due to arrive shortly, they have managed no less than to act as intermediaries for one that H. M. Don Alfonso XIII has acquired from Spanish industry, an Anglada of 24 horsepower, whose photograph is on display at the said Auto-Garage, Calle de Valencia, 290.
The Balet brothers are to deliver the Anglada car to H. M., and to that end will shortly set off for El Puerto de Santa María, where the maker is based, and from there drive the royal vehicle by road to Madrid; the chauffeur Don Domingo Balet will then spend a short while in the Spanish capital to train H. M. the King in the practice of motoring.
And if we add to this the recent sales of a Benz-Parsifal to D. Juan Garcí and another to D. Pedro Calvet, of this city, others of the same make to the Count of Villamar, of Valencia, identical to that of D. Ricardo liarlo, and another of the same make to D. J. Bosch, of Málaga, besides the 40 H. P. Berliet for D. Eusebio Bertrand, kindly tell me whether all this activity is not pure luck of the kind that brings both honour and profit.
We congratulate our friends and wish them many more years of progress along this well-trodden road."
Purveyor to the Royal Household (1904)
Detail of one of the published advertisements, cropped for legibility. The full poster is in the advertisements section of this website.
Los Deportes of 29 May 1904 reported that the Balets had been granted the title of Purveyors to the Royal Household (presumably as a result of the sale of the Anglada 24 H.P. and the private driving lessons given to the King), which, as mentioned above, would mean that from then on they were responsible for advising on and selling every vehicle bought by the King, a great collector.
The title of Purveyor to the Royal Household dated back to 1614. The titles granted since then are: Isabella II (83); Alfonso XII (142); Maria Christina (96) and in the reign of Alfonso XIII only 66 were granted (today, by the King's decision, the privilege no longer exists).
"A superb Berliet car is expected at the Garage Términus any day now, bought by the wealthy manufacturer D. Manuel Bertrand as a wedding present for his son Eusebio, who is to marry the beautiful and distinguished Miss de Matas. To celebrate the car's arrival in Barcelona, Messrs Balet Brothers are preparing a party at their garage in Calle de Valencia, which we shall report on in due course.
We have more pleasing news about the Autogarage Términus: Messrs Balet Brothers have just been appointed purveyors to H. M., a distinction on which we congratulate them."
Domingo Balet presents a Benz car to King Alfonso XIII (1905)
Benz 40 HP Landaulet
The Valencia newspaper Las Provincias of 14.04.1905 describes King Alfonso XIII's visit to Valencia.
"When the King returned to the city, the manager of the important Barcelona firm Balet Hermanos, D. Domingo Balet, handed H. M. a parchment offering him a Benz motor car. The King was most grateful for this splendid gift, and had the cars present parade before him, nearly all of them of the same make. The car offered to the King is of 40 horsepower, with a luxury body in landaulet form."
Benz Parsifal and parties: Barcelona's fashionable dealership (1904)
Entry to the Auto Garage Términus by invitation
(Recreated invitation, not an original)
Los Deportes of 5 June 1904 announced the arrival of a very special and powerful vehicle and, to control the crowds at the premises (as can be read), an invitation was required.
"The magnificent 40 H.P. Berliet mentioned in our last issue, bought by Mr Bertrand as a wedding present for his son Eusebio, has just arrived here. To mark the arrival of this superb car, the Balet brothers, owners of the Autogarage Términus, have put it on display all day today at their premises, which are magnificently decorated and look most brilliant. Admission to the garage is by invitation, and next week we shall report on the exhibition in detail."
The Auto Garage Términus party (June 1904)
Image taken from an original Berliet catalogue; it does not show the actual place, as it appears to be France, but it conveys the atmosphere of the time.
Los Deportes, 12 June 1904
"The Balet brothers set out to give some ceremony to the arrival of the 40-horsepower Berliet for Mr Bertrand, and they duly succeeded last Sunday, turning the presence of the vehicle in their garage into a full-scale exhibition.
On Saturday work began on decorating the premises, which were covered with tropical and indoor plants, trees and shrubs of every kind, to very fine effect.
The garage at number 290, Calle de Valencia, seemed to have been turned into a garden, at the far end of which stood the hero of the occasion, the handsome Berliet, whose magnificent appearance was highly praised by all the many visitors...
...As for those keen to inspect the vehicle at first hand, they were very numerous all day long, and Messrs Balet brothers received them with their customary kindness, satisfying everyone's curiosity and wishes, explaining and answering every question, and treating friends and fellow motoring enthusiasts to sweets and champagne.
In short, the party that D. Domingo Balet and brother set out to hold was a complete success, and all lovers of the sporting movement must be grateful for the energy these merchants have shown in bringing ever more motor traffic to our streets and roads."
The arrival of a dazzling Benz Parsifal
Benz Parsifal 22 H.P.
The same issue of Los Deportes of 12 June 1904 also reported the following:
"Last Thursday we had the pleasure of seeing at the Autogarage Términus of D. Domingo Balet and brother a car just arrived from Germany; if the Berliet we have just described attracted a great deal of attention, no less favourable will be the impression of anyone who takes the trouble to look at this new vehicle for a moment.
It is a 22 H.P. Benz Parsifal and at first sight one notices a solidity of construction alongside a refined elegance that make it thoroughly recommendable for high speeds on our roads. Everything about this magnificent car, tall, slender and sturdy as an ancient oak, inspires confidence through its solidity. Wheels, tyres, the whole chassis, four-cylinder engine, most luxurious body: everything seems purpose-built to achieve a degree of safety hardly seen until now.
We have no doubt that the Benz-Parsifal type in question will greatly appeal to enthusiasts, for it is in no way inferior in elegance to the classic types known until now and has, moreover, a solidity so well suited to our roads that it seems every resource of perfection has been exhausted in it."
Distributors of Automóviles Anglada for 3 years
Los Deportes, 19 June 1904:
"On its way to this city is a Spanish-built Anglada car, of the same type and power (24 H.P.) as the one H. M. King Alfonso bought from that Spanish maker in El Puerto de Santa María, province of Cádiz.
As Messrs Balet brothers hold the concession for this make in Catalonia for three years, the car is bound for the Garage Términus, and several enthusiasts are waiting to see it with their own eyes before deciding whether to buy a Spanish-made product where they previously thought they could only get one from abroad.
Given our oft-stated views on protecting national industry, it goes without saying how much we would welcome the taking root of Spanish motor manufacturing."
A multi-brand dealership (1904)
A long article in La Veu de Catalunya of 26 June 1904 refers to the sale of many makes.
"... The Garaje Términus has recently been set up by the Ballet brothers, who have shown great aptitude for this business, raising their firm to a high standing in about a year and handling the sale of a good number of cars here and in various towns, in Catalonia and beyond.
Their favourite make is the Benz-Parcifal, for which they are agents, though many cars of various makes can also be seen at their premises. Young and enterprising, the Ballet brothers' garage may be expected, as it continues along the path it has begun, to become one of the most important, which it has very nearly achieved already..."
Trips to Germany and the enlargement of the Carrer de València, 290 premises (1904)
Buying in person in Germany
On 14 August 1904 the weekly Los Deportes reported:
"The distinguished chauffeur D. Enrique Balet, of the Autogarage Términus, is in Mannheim, Germany, with the wealthy Valencia manufacturer D. José Moroder, to take charge of a magnificent 40-horsepower Benz Parsifal and bring it to Spain, where its many refinements will attract great attention from amateurs. The Balet brothers are preparing grand celebrations at the Autogarage Términus to receive and display so splendid a car at their garage in Calle de Valencia."
The enlargement of the Auto Garage Términus
That same day, 14.08.1904, the weekly Los Deportes reported:
"The active and tireless owners of the Auto Garage Términus, Messrs Domingo Balet and Brother, have leased for two years the large warehouses at Calle de Valencia, 292, next to the premises their garage now occupies, and have commissioned their brother, the respected architect Don José Balet y Duran, to design the building and decoration works so as to open next September a splendid garage with every modern improvement."
Return from the European trip and display of the Benz Parsifal 40 HP
Los Deportes, 28 August 1904
"The wealthy Valencia manufacturer D. José Moroder and the charming D. Enrique Balet, of the AutoGarage Términus in this city, have left Mannheim (Germany) bringing to Spain a superb and magnificent motor car of the reputable «Benz-Parsifal» make, rated at 40 H.P.
They are heading for Kalshat, will then visit the most important cities of Germany and France, and will return to Spain in the first half of September, reaching this city on the 15th of that month, when the premises of the Auto Garage Términus will be magnificently decorated and grand celebrations will be held at the AutoGarage, owned by the distinguished and clever Balet brothers, to mark the arrival of the 40 H.P. «Benz-Parsifal» belonging to D. José Moroder.
The 40 H.P. «Benz Parsifal» will remain in Barcelona until 15 October next, kindly lent by its owner, Mr Moroder, to his friends the active Balet brothers, so that they can show it to Barcelona's amateurs and let them try it."
Start of the decoration works at the Auto Garage Términus
(Not an original photo)
Article published in Los Deportes on 28 August 1904
"Work has begun at the Auto-Garage Términus, owned by the Balet brothers, on the decoration they plan in order to have a garage on a par with the best abroad.
The Balet brothers will make great improvements to their garage, and to that end the tireless chauffeur D. Enrique Balet, on his current trip through Germany and France, is studying improvements that could be introduced so that their clients enjoy every comfort."
Car repair and improvement workshop (1904)
Los Deportes, 4 September 1904
"From the Autogarage Términus: the distinguished motorist D. Francisco de Cepeda has left his 3½ H. P. Minerva at the establishment, and the Balet brothers tell us they have fallen in love with it.
They also tell us that they are to transform a Panhard belonging to some motorists from Madrid into a new car with several state-of-the-art improvements.
We are also informed that their workshops have completed the work being carried out on two cars, a Panhard and a Dacuman, belonging to the noted painter D. Ramon Casas, with notable success and under the direction of the respected mechanic Mr Campmany.
And finally, last week D. Domingo Balet drove a Benz-Parsifal all the way to Morella with his mechanic, Mr Campmany, on a delightful trip up those steep gradients, covering the distance from Vinaròs to Morella in 4 hours; the car caused a sensation in the feudal city of the Maestrat, as the people of Morella were seeing one for the first time, so difficult is it to reach those heights along the improbable roads that surround it."
Seven cars owned by the Garage Términus (September 1904)
Los Deportes, 11 September 1904:
"D. Enrique Balet has arrived from Mannheim (Germany), apparently summoned by telegram by his brother D. Domingo to settle several important matters relating to the manufacture of Benz-Parsifal cars in Barcelona. We have also learned from the Balet brothers that D. José Joaquín Cantalauba has sold them a 4-cylinder Panhard, buying in its place an 18 H.P. Benz-Parsifal, 1905 model.
On this occasion we are assured that the Garage Términus itself owns seven cars, as follows: the said Panhard and another of the same make, of 7 H.P. and 2 cylinders; a Cotteran of 10 H.P. and 2 cylinders; a Benz-Parsifal of 12 H.P. and 4 cylinders; a La Cuadra of 7 H.P. and 2 cylinders; an electric car of the Paktin system and an old 2-cylinder, 7 H.P. Benz.
We are truly delighted at all the activity the Balet brothers have brought to motoring."
The cars came from Germany to Barcelona by road
24 September 1904
"Another «Benz Parsifal» has arrived at the Garage Términus of Messrs Balet brothers, a model of refinement, which has come directly by road from Mannheim (Germany) without the slightest mishap. Next week we shall give further details of this magnificent car."
Hispano-Suiza, car auctions and the magazine “Barcelona Automóvil” (1905)
The Auto Garage Términus and Hispano-Suiza
Los Deportes, 28 January 1905
"We have the honour to inform our motorists that, having reached a satisfactory agreement with the Sociedad Hispano Suiza, motor-car manufacturers, to sell this make in Spain during 1905, we shall be able to make very advantageous offers, in return for the kindness that company has undeservedly shown us and in support of Spanish manufacturing.
DOMINGO BALET Y HERMANO"
For more information about the model they had on sale, visit the Hispano-Suiza section of the website.
The magazine Barcelona Automóvil and the auction rules (1905)
A long article in the weekly Los Deportes of 23.12.1905 set out how the auctions would work.
"Messrs Balet brothers have decided to introduce at their splendid garage at Calle de las Cortes, 629, the custom found in the great foreign capitals of holding auctions of used motor cars.
See the RULES OF ORGANISATION
- The Auto Garage Términus will publish a trade magazine called Barcelona Automóvil, to be distributed free of charge and devoted especially to promoting the sale of used motor cars; it will appear on the 15th and 30th of each month.
- Voluntary auctions of used motor cars will be held at the Auto Garage Términus on the 15th and 30th of each month, subject to general regulations.
- A permanent exhibition of used motor cars will be set up at the Auto Garage Términus, open to visitors free of charge every day; any cars sold must be sold at the prices set for them at the most recent voluntary auction.
- On the 15th and 30th of each month the Auto Garage Términus will hold temporary exhibitions of used motor cars that, without appearing in or being entered for the permanent exhibition, are presented to be advertised and sold at the voluntary auctions.
- Used motor cars that their owners wish to enter for sale at the voluntary auctions to be held at the Auto Garage Términus, or for the permanent exhibition, must first be registered, and their owners must abide by the brokerage and commission rates, as well as other charges for advertising, space and safekeeping of the cars.
- The first voluntary auction will be held on 15 January next year, and the permanent exhibition will open on the 1st of that same month and year; the first issue of the trade magazine Barcelona Automóvil will appear on 30 December of this year.
CHARGES
- For every used motor car sold through the Auto Garage Términus, whether at the voluntary auctions or at the permanent exhibition, the owner shall pay a 10 per cent commission at the time of sale.
- The registration fee for a motor car to be advertised at the voluntary auctions shall be five pesetas each time it is listed.
- Each prominently sized insertion in the trade magazine Barcelona Automóvil shall cost seven pesetas.
Any motor car whose owner wishes to have it on show at the permanent exhibition of the Auto Garage Términus shall pay a fee of thirty pesetas a month.
Barcelona, December 1905.
BALET HERMANOS."
First used-car auction (January 1906)
On 30.12.1905 the weekly Los Deportes announced this pioneering initiative in the Spanish motor world:
"The energy shown by the owners of the «Auto Garaje Términus» promises real success for the first motor-car auction, to be held on 15 January next at their splendid premises in Calle de las Cortes.
We know that many motorists will attend the motor-car auctions that day, and that many cars will go under the hammer.
It is to be hoped that Messrs Balet Brothers' idea will be a great success and that Barcelona will have a centre for supply and demand, a kind of motor exchange like those in the main foreign capitals."
What became of the Auto Garage Términus? The final years (1906–1909)
Death of the Balet brothers' mother and postponement of the first auction (January 1906)
As Los Deportes reported on 27.01.1906, the first auction mentioned above was called off following the death of the Balet brothers' mother.
"On the 13th of this month the distinguished lady Doña María Durán y Trinxería de Balet died, mother of our friends Messrs Balet brothers, to whom we extend our deepest sympathy. Owing to this sad event, the first auction announced at the Garage Términus for the 15th was postponed; it will take place on the 30th."
New tyre repair shop (1906)
In 1898 the illustrator Marius Rossillon created an advertising poster featuring Bibendum, the Michelin Man.
In Los Deportes, 17 March 1906:
"Messrs Enrique Balet and Company have just opened a tyre repair shop at Rambla de Catalunya, 92. The firm will also carry a large stock of most articles connected with rubber manufacture."
The last news of the Auto Garage Términus (1907)
The last mention of the Auto Garage Términus found in the magazine and newspaper archives of the time is this article in Los Deportes of 12 January 1907.
"The number of garages in our city grows by the day: new ones are opening and the old ones are enlarging their premises, which have become too small. Besides those of Messrs Balet, Boyé, Marsans, etc., the one founded by Messrs Bertrand, agents for the Berliet firm, will soon open.
The firm of Abadal y Compañía has also decided to change premises and move to a building of its own to be built in Calle de Aragón, between Rambla de Cataluña and Calle de Balmes. The new garage will have every modern improvement, room for 70 cars, dressing rooms and a showroom for bicycles, motorcycles, cars, etc., etc."
In 1907 they continued to invest in the motor industry
Los Deportes of 9 March 1907 refers to an investment of one million pesetas by Messrs Balet in the motor industry.
"...in Barcelona, the merger of the R.A.C. with the Círculo Ecuestre (which it seems will not take place until the latter important body moves to its new premises in Plaça de Catalunya), the creation of new car assembly and manufacturing plants such as the Victoria, which in a very short time has almost finished its building in Calle de Aribau, the plan for another company, sponsored by Messrs Balet, to raise a capital of one million and devote it to the manufacture of motor cars, the arrival of the new chassis for the «La Catalana» omnibus company and, finally, the opening and relocation of several garages, among which we must particularly mention that of Mr Abadal.
All these signs are enough to expect that very shortly the current important motoring activity will grow extraordinarily, extending its reach in every direction, from the luxury car to the goods lorry."
Agents for Peter's Union tyres (1909)
An advertisement in the magazine "Los Deportes" of 20 May 1909 lists the Balets as agents for Peter's Union tyres in various parts of Spain, together with a postcard of the time. By then the business address was Passeig de Gràcia, 2, Barcelona.
Cover of "Los Deportes", 20 May 1909
Part of an advertisement published inside the magazine "Los Deportes" of 20 May 1909
Peter's Union; translated from the German: leather non-skid tyres
Back of the postcard, which went through the post.
The last news of Enrique Balet Duran
A newspaper cutting of 15 June 1909 reports that he continued to work in the motor trade as sole agent for Mitteldeutsche Gummiwarenfabrik tyres, with an office at Passeig de Gràcia, 2, Barcelona.
