METALLURGIQUE (Belgium) 1898-1927
Long established as locomotive and rolling-stock manufacturers,
Métallurgique built their first prototypes in 1898 and opened a
car factory at Marchienne-au-Pont in 1900. Chain drive gave way
to shaft in 1902, and in 1903 ex-Mercedes designer Ernst Lehmann
became chief designer.
He produced a range of advanced design in 1905: these were Mercedes-like
cars with pressed-steel chassis, high-tension ignition and the option
of an electric lighting dynamo. A 10-litre 60/80 hp sports model
was added in 1906, and in 1907 a handsome vee-radiator became a
distinctive feature of the marque. The last two-cylinder Métallurgique
appeared in 1908, and was replaced by a 12/14hp four built in Germany
by Bergmann.
Big four-cylinder luxury cars like the 26/60 and the sporting 38/90
were Métallurgique's forte in Edwardian days: the 5 litre 26/60
continued after the war, with the addition of Adex four-wheel-brakes,
along with the l5/20 hp and 20/40 hp, thanks to Métallurgique's
skill in concealing their jigs and spares from the occupying German
forces. The 15 hp was dropped in 1922, and succeeded by a new 1882cc
12 hp with pushrod ohv, designed by Paul Bastien.
Impéria-Excelsior took over in 1929 and killed off Métallurgique:
Bastien joined Stutz in America.
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Métallurgique
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