Métallurgique

Belgium, 1898 – 1928

SA L’Auto Métallurgique, Marchienne-au-Pont

The Metallurgique car was to become the most renowned sporting make of Belgium, but it started life with a 4½hp, 2-cylinder car on Daimler lines. 2- and 4-cylinder chain-driven Metallurgique cars on a similar pattern followed. From 1905, however, a major change began on Metallurgique cars. A range of lively, beautifully-made, modern Metallurgique cars, from an 8hp twin to two big fours, all featuring variable valve lift, steel frames and live axles, was offered. The Metallurgique cars were designed by Ernst Lehmann, formerly of Daimler. In case the owner wished to fit electric lighting on their Metallurgique car, a dynamo for battery-changing was provided. In 1906, there appeared the superb Metallurgique 60/80hp fast tourer. Its 4-cylinder ioe engine gave 100bhp at 1.400rpm. A year later this Metallurgique car and all other models acquired the sharp V-radiator that was to become the Metallurgique cars trademark. The 1908 range of Metallurgique cars included the Metallurgique 40hp, a smaller version of the great Metallurgique 60/80, while a year later came the 26hp Metallurgique car, which was to be the most famous model of all. These three Metallurgique car types all had 4-speed gearboxes, a refinement comparatively rare in Belgium, that was extended to all Metallurgique cars in 1911.

Most Métallurgique cars made in Belgium were exported to Britain, and a German factory (Bergmann) was set up. All bodies on the Metallurgique car were by Vanden Plas and were beautiful creations. A sports version of the 26hp Metallurgique car providing 75bhp with the aid of light pistons and large valves, was listed in 1912. The other big Métallurgique cars acquired sporting variants, too, but a small four also arrived, the Metallurgique 10/12hp of 1.7-litres. Sv engines were to be had in the more ‘touring’ Metallurgique cars of 1913. The 5-litre 26bhp was continued after World War 1, with the addition of Adex-type diagonally-compensated 4-wheel brakes. New in 1921 was a 3-litre sports Metallurgique car, one of which made the fastest lap in the 1922 Spa Grand Prix. However, a truly modern Métallurgique car arrived in that year; a 2-litre, 4-cylinder fast tourer Metallurgique car, in the postwar French tradition designed by Paul Bastien (who was later responsible for the Stutz Vertical Eight). The engine used a chain-driven overhead camshaft, there were front-wheel brakes, and the steering was notably light of this Metallurgique car. This fine machine was the Metallurgique car company’s mainstay until the acquisition of the Metallurgique car factory by Minerva and its machinery by Imperia in 1927. So ended a name with a remarkably consistent record of good cars.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; TRN

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