Métallurgique
Encyclopedia
Métallurgique were cars made by SA L'Auto Métallurgique, Marchienne-au-Pont
, Belgium
between 1898 and 1928. Before making cars, the company had made railway locomotives and rolling stock.
in 1903. These cars, with pressed-steel chassis, live rear axle and the option of electric lighting, were to establish the company as one of the finest makers of sporting cars in Europe. In 1906 there came the 4-cylinder, 10-litre 60/80 with inlet over exhaust valves and a claimed output of 100 bhp at 1400 rpm. The cars got a distinctive V front radiator in 1906. For 1908 the car range included the 60/80 and the 40-hp, which was a smaller version of the 60/80, the 2-cylinder cars being finally dropped. They were joined in 1909 by the smaller 5-litre 26-hp, and in 1911 all cars got 4-speed gearboxes. Bodywork was made by Vanden Plas
.
Métallurgique cars were also made from 1909 under licence by Bergmann in Berlin, Germany who had previously made electric cars. These were sold as Bergmann-Métallurgique.
After World War I, car production restarted with the 26-hp, which gained Adex 4-wheel brakes, the 20/40 and the 15/20. The first post-war designs arrived in 1921 with the 3-litre and, more importantly, the 2-litre overhead-cam tourer designed by Paul Bastien.
in 1927 and the factory was acquired by Minerva. The name was dropped. Paul Bastien joined Stutz
in America where he was responsible for the Vertical Eight.
This historic marque has a great following and La Societe Anonyme des Automobiles Métallurgique has been set up to bring Métallurgique owners together.
Marchienne-au-Pont
Marchienne-au-Pont is a section of the Belgian town of Charleroi within the Walloon region in the Province of Hainaut. It was a commune of its own before the merge of the communes in 1977, when it had a population of 17,000.-Sights:...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
between 1898 and 1928. Before making cars, the company had made railway locomotives and rolling stock.
Production
The first cars were 4.5-hp, 2-cylinder models with chain drive, but in 1905 a new modern range was introduced, designed by Ernst Lehmann, who joined them from DaimlerDaimler Motoren Gesellschaft
Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft was a German engine and later automobile manufacturer, in operation from 1890 until 1926. Founded by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach, it was based first in Cannstatt...
in 1903. These cars, with pressed-steel chassis, live rear axle and the option of electric lighting, were to establish the company as one of the finest makers of sporting cars in Europe. In 1906 there came the 4-cylinder, 10-litre 60/80 with inlet over exhaust valves and a claimed output of 100 bhp at 1400 rpm. The cars got a distinctive V front radiator in 1906. For 1908 the car range included the 60/80 and the 40-hp, which was a smaller version of the 60/80, the 2-cylinder cars being finally dropped. They were joined in 1909 by the smaller 5-litre 26-hp, and in 1911 all cars got 4-speed gearboxes. Bodywork was made by Vanden Plas
Vanden Plas
Vanden Plas is the name of a company of coachbuilders who produced bodies for specialist and up-market automobile manufacturers. Latterly the name became a top-end luxury model designation for cars from various subsidiaries of British Leyland and the Rover Group.-Belgium:It originated in Belgium in...
.
Métallurgique cars were also made from 1909 under licence by Bergmann in Berlin, Germany who had previously made electric cars. These were sold as Bergmann-Métallurgique.
After World War I, car production restarted with the 26-hp, which gained Adex 4-wheel brakes, the 20/40 and the 15/20. The first post-war designs arrived in 1921 with the 3-litre and, more importantly, the 2-litre overhead-cam tourer designed by Paul Bastien.
Takeover
The company was taken over by ImperiaImperia
Imperia may be:* Imperia , an Italian city* Province of Imperia, the Italian province of the above city of Imperia* IMPERIA, a vodka produced by Russian Standard* Imperia , a statue in Constance, Germany...
in 1927 and the factory was acquired by Minerva. The name was dropped. Paul Bastien joined Stutz
Stutz Motor Company
The Stutz Motor Company was a producer of luxury cars based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Production began in 1911 and continued through 1935. The marque reappeared in 1968 under the aegis of Stutz Motor Car of America, Inc., and with a newly defined modern retro-look. Although the company is...
in America where he was responsible for the Vertical Eight.
This historic marque has a great following and La Societe Anonyme des Automobiles Métallurgique has been set up to bring Métallurgique owners together.