Hurtu
Encyclopedia
Hurtu was a pioneering French car made by Diligeon et Cie based in Albert, Somme
from 1896 to 1930. As well as cars, the company also made sewing machines and bicycles.
The company was founded in 1880 as Hurtu, Hautin et Diligeon as a maker of sewing machines but soon added machine tools and bicycles to their range. In 1895 E. Diligeon bought out his partners and renamed the company Diligeon et Cie but continued to use the Hurtu name on his products. They made their first car in 1896, a licence built version of the Leon Bollée
tricar. They ended up making more of these then Leon Bollée themselves. Four wheel vehicles followed in 1897 with a close copy of the German Benz, a version of which was also made in England by Belsize Motors
in Manchester.
In 1899 the company was re-organised and renamed as the Compagnie des Auto et Cycles Hurtu. In 1900 the Benz type car was replaced by a new model powered by a De Dion-Bouton
3.5 hp single-cylinder engine with shaft drive and 2- or 4-seat open coachwork.
1907 models started to feature a dashboard radiator as used by Renault, and this style continued in use until 1920.
1913 production seems to have been around 600 cars comprising 4-cylinder models of 1692cc and 2120cc capacity with the gearbox and engine constructed in-unit.
After World War I car production re-commenced and from 1920 a conventional front-radiator 2358cc four-cylinder model appeared with front wheel brakes being fitted from 1922. A smaller 1328cc joined the range in 1925. These continued until 1930 when the company stopped car production but continued as machinery manufacturers.
Albert, Somme
Albert is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.It is located about halfway between Amiens and Bapaume.-History:Albert was founded as a Roman outpost called Encre, in about 54 BC...
from 1896 to 1930. As well as cars, the company also made sewing machines and bicycles.
The company was founded in 1880 as Hurtu, Hautin et Diligeon as a maker of sewing machines but soon added machine tools and bicycles to their range. In 1895 E. Diligeon bought out his partners and renamed the company Diligeon et Cie but continued to use the Hurtu name on his products. They made their first car in 1896, a licence built version of the Leon Bollée
Léon Bollée Automobiles
Léon Bollée Automobiles was a French company founded by Léon Bollée in Le Mans to build a first vehicle called "Voiturette".The Bollée family, all car makers, created three brands:* steam vehicles, Amédée Bollée , built between 1873 and 1885....
tricar. They ended up making more of these then Leon Bollée themselves. Four wheel vehicles followed in 1897 with a close copy of the German Benz, a version of which was also made in England by Belsize Motors
Belsize Motors
Established in 1901, Belsize Motors was based in Clayton, Manchester, England. The company was founded by Marshall & Company and took its name from their Belsize works where they had built bicycles.-Marshall & Co:...
in Manchester.
In 1899 the company was re-organised and renamed as the Compagnie des Auto et Cycles Hurtu. In 1900 the Benz type car was replaced by a new model powered by a De Dion-Bouton
De Dion-Bouton
De Dion-Bouton was a French automobile manufacturer and railcar manufacturer operating from 1883 to 1932. The company was founded by the Marquis Jules-Albert de Dion, Georges Bouton and his brother-in-law Charles Trépardoux....
3.5 hp single-cylinder engine with shaft drive and 2- or 4-seat open coachwork.
1907 models started to feature a dashboard radiator as used by Renault, and this style continued in use until 1920.
1913 production seems to have been around 600 cars comprising 4-cylinder models of 1692cc and 2120cc capacity with the gearbox and engine constructed in-unit.
After World War I car production re-commenced and from 1920 a conventional front-radiator 2358cc four-cylinder model appeared with front wheel brakes being fitted from 1922. A smaller 1328cc joined the range in 1925. These continued until 1930 when the company stopped car production but continued as machinery manufacturers.