Vermorel

France, 1908 – 1930

Etablissements V. Vermorel, Villefranche, Rhone

These makers of woodworking machinery were established in 1850 and were experimenting with Vermorel cars as early as 1902, though production of Vermorel cars did not start until 1908. Early Vermorel cars were conventional 1.8-litre T-head machines with 4-speed gearboxes and three-quarter-elliptic rear suspension. 2.2-litre and 3.3-litre cars of this type were listed in 1912, but 1913 saw the beginning of a more modern trend with the introduction of new L-head monobloc Vermorel carmodels, the 1½-litre 8/10hp Vermorel carand the 2.8-litre 16/20. The bigger Vermorel cars had V-radiators and were said to be capable of 72mph. A year later the last of the T-head Vermorel cars had been replaced by a 2.3-litre L-head 15/18, which Vermorel car reappeared after World War 1 in much the same guise. Also rather old-fashioned was the 1.7-litre 8/16CV Vermorel car of 1922, with its sv fixed-head engine, foot transmission brake, and cone clutch, though a dunamotor was fitted, the 4-speed gearbox had central change, and 4-wheel brakes were available. An ohv sports version Vermorel car with wire wheels was offered in 1923, and these two parallel Vermorel cars acquired full-pressure lubrication in 1925, and coupled brakes and plate clutches a year later. 1924 saw an ohc 16/60hp 4-cylinder Vermorel car with a 2.6-litre engine and detachable head, but this Vermorel car was clearly intended for formal coachwork with its 11ft 3in wheelbase. In 1927 the ZX type 1.7-litre Vermorel car was still being made, and there was also an undistinguished 1.100cc sv 4-cylinder Vermorel car on conventional lines. The last of the Vermorel cars was the type AH3 of 1929, a straightforward ohv 2-litre 6-cylinder with 12-volt coil ignition, a 4-speed unit gearbox with central change, semi-elliptic springs, and spiral bevel final drive. The Etablissements Vermorel abandoned Vermorel car manufacture in 1930.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; MCS  

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