Mysterious Imperia Roadster emerges during rally adventure

The last time we featured a car from the Belgian marque Imperia, it was a striking streamliner with a six-cylinder engine and coachwork by Karoserie Uhlík of Prague (click here to revisit that story). Today, we present another likely Imperia—this time a roadster, captured mid-adventure, and shrouded in just enough mystery to pique our collective curiosity.

The distinctive radiator grille certainly hints at Imperia origins, yet the short bonnet suggests it may not be one of the marque’s six-cylinder models. Add to that a notably compact wheelbase, and one might speculate this is the 7/25 model, powered by a four-cylinder slide-valve engine. That engine was indeed available in 1933, which aligns neatly with the photo’s stated date.

For those less familiar, Imperia was a Belgian company with an intriguing legacy and a uniquely stylish production facility in Nessonvaux—complete with a rooftop test track, much like Fiat’s famed Lingotto factory in Turin. Though innovative and full of character, Imperia never quite reached the international acclaim of some contemporaries, a fact that only adds to its charm and exclusivity today.

Take a closer look at the rear licence plate: "Sporting Motor Liège." Could this roadster have been snapped mid-rally? Indeed it was. This very car once belonged to the family of William Wilmot, who took part in the Liège-Chamonix-Liège rally of 1933. Unfortunately, William has little information about the model or its history—and would love to learn more.

What about the elegant roadster body? Could it be the work of a Belgian coachbuilder?

As ever, we turn to you, our knowledgeable and passionate readers. If you have any insights into this car, its origins, or its coachbuilder, we’d love to hear from you.

Words: Jeroen Booij
Photo: William Wilmot

Published:

Monday June 23rd, 2025

Guy RAYMOND

01 July 2025, 17:34

The IMPERIA of the William WILMOT family put to the test: Liège – Chamonix – Liège

The SPORTING MOTOR of Liège had a permanent office at the GRAND HOTEL VENICIEN, 2 HAMAL Street in Liège. It was located at the corner of HAMAL Street and SAUVENIER Boulevard. This hotel was demolished in the 1980s and replaced by the Liège offices of the PNP PARIBAS FORTIS bank.

From 1933 to 1939, they organized a car rally: Liège – Chamonix – Liège, covering more than 2,000 km at an average speed of 50 km/h over 3 days.
There were 3 categories: motorcycles, sidecars, and cars.

In October 1933: 1st place – Von GUILLAUME and BARTH in an IMPERIA 1800 cc, and 3rd place – GALHAUSSEN and de BIOLLEY in an IMPERIA 1800 cc

In July 1934: 1st place – GALHAUSSEN and de BIOLLEY in an IMPERIA 1800 cc, and also LANFRANC and DEWANDRE in an IMPERIA 1800 cc, STEVENS and DAVROS in an IMPERIA 1800 cc, HAGEMEYER and SMITH in an IMPERIA 1800 cc

In July 1935: 2nd place – HUMBLET and HILGERS in an IMPERIA 1800 cc, 3rd place – LENFRAND and DEWANDRE in an IMPERIA 1800 cc, 7th place – SMITH and KAISIN in an IMPERIA 1800 cc

It appears that four IMPERIA cars with a 1,800 cc, 6-cylinder, valveless engine were produced, and that one of the four is on display at the Francorchamps Circuit Museum in STAVELOT.

Reference:

IMPERIA, a Belgian Automotive Empire by Michel BEDEUR, Editions “Vieux Temps”, 2004

Archives of Belgian daily newspapers, KBR BELGICAPRESS

Guy Alexandre RAYMOND – AUTORETROMOSAN.BE

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L’IMPERIA de la famille de William WILMOT à l’épreuve Liège – Chamonix – Liège

Le SPORTING MOTOR de Liège avait un bureau permanent au GRAND HOTEL VENICIEN Rue HAMAL N° 2 à Liège. C’était au coin de la Rue HAMAL et du Boulevard de la SAUVENIER. Cet hôtel a été démoli dans les années 80 et remplacé par les bureaux Liégeois de la banque PNP PARIBAS FORTIS.

De 1933 à 1939, ils organisaient une épreuve automobile : Liège – Chamonix – Liège sur plus de 2000 km à 50 km/h de moyenne sur 3 jours.
Il y avait 3 catégories : motos, sidecars et autos.

• En octobre 1933, 1er Von GUILLAUME et BARTH sur IMPERIA 1800 cm³ et 3ème GALHAUSSEN – de BIOLLEY sur IMPERIA 1800 cm³
• En juillet 1934, 1er GALHAUSSEN – de BIOLLEY sur IMPERIA 1800 cm³ et LANFRANC et DEWANDRE sur IMPERIA 1800 cm³, STEVENS et DAVROS sur IMPERIA 1800 cm³, HAGEMEYER et SMITH sur IMPERIA 1800 cm³
• En juillet 1935, 2ème HUMBLET et HILGERS sur IMPERIA 1800 cm³, 3ème LENFRAND et DEWANDRE sur IMPERIA 1800 cm³, 7ème SMITH et KAISIN sur IMPERIA 1800 cm³

Il semblerait que 4 IMPERIA avec moteur de 1800 cm³, 6 cylindres et sans soupapes ait été produites et que l’une des 4 est exposée au musée du circuit de Francorchamps à STAVELOT.

Référence :
• IMPERIA, un empire automobile Belge par Michel BEDEUR, Editions « Vieux Temps » en 2004
• Les archives de quotidiens de la presse Belge, KBR BELGICAPRESS

Guy Alexandre RAYMOND AUTORETROMOSAN.BE

Mysterious Imperia Roadster emerges during rally adventure

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