Imperia

Imperia is a car manufacturer from Belgium. The brand was founded in 1904 by Adrien Piedboeuf, a former salesman for Metallurgique, and originated from the Pieper brand.

The Liège-based company – SA des Etablissements Pieper, Liège en Nessonvaux – was founded in 1866 by the German Henri Pieper, who had previously built the first electric tram in Belgium in Liège. Pieper created one of the first precursors to the hybrid car, an invention he patented as early as 1909. The cars used the energy released during braking, which would normally be lost, to charge batteries. When the cars had to drive uphill, the electric motors could then assist with the climb.

These cars were produced until 1903, after which Auto-Mixte used the patents for its vehicles. The workshop was taken over by Imperia. Originally, the brand had a crown as its emblem. Owner Piedboeuf lived in Aachen, the birthplace of Charlemagne, and therefore considered a crown a fitting emblem for his car brand.

The factory was initially located on the Rue de Fragnée in Liège, but in 1907, due to lack of space, the workshop was moved to the Rue Gomélevay in Nessonvaux, Trooz. Buildings from the factory can still be seen there, where the brand name remains on the facade. Parts of the test track that was located on the roof are even still visible.

Imperia cars

On the famous Brooklands circuit, an Imperia managed to achieve a speed of 144 km/h in 1910. In 1912, Imperia merged with Springuel from Huy. Between 1914 and 1917, a partnership was established with the Abadal company, and the cars were also known as Imperia-Abadal.

The models produced in the period between the two world wars were all given names of birds. For example, there was the Hirondelle (swallow), the Mésange (titmouse), the Albatros, and the Mouette (gull).

Imperia Honderelle

After the war, the factory had been completely looted, and Imperia struggled greatly to stay afloat. The new owner, Mathieu van Roggen, who already owned the Teixeira brand, created a new series of lightweight sports cars that would usher in the golden years for the Imperia brand. In 1923, the brand launched a car with an 1100 cc four-cylinder engine, and in 1927, a car with a 1650 cc six-cylinder engine. Van Roggen acquired Metallurgique from Marchienne-au-Pont and Excelsior from Zaventem, and in 1928, Nagant as well.

In 1929, a special test track was built on the roof of the factory, and in 1932, a license was obtained to produce Adlers. In 1934, it acquired Minerva. Van Roggen attempted to launch a very luxurious car on the market, but the Second World War thwarted these plans. Businessmen from Verviers bought out Imperia just before the outbreak of the Second World War. In its heyday, about nine cars rolled out of the factory a day.

Imperia test track on the roof of the factory

After the war, Imperia still holds the license of Eagle and production of this car continues. Alongside Adler, the English brand Standard enters production. However, this cannot save Imperia, and in 1958, the factory closes its doors for good.