Turcat-Méry
Encyclopedia
Turcat-Méry was a French motor manufacturer from 1899 until 1928. It is now celebrated as the marque that won the inaugural Monte Carlo Rally
, but in its prime it was also known for Grand Prix racing and for producing The Car of the Connoisseur. Prior to World War I it was closely associated with the Lorraine-Dietrich company.
and Lorraine-Dietrich
company, and produced cars whose slogan was The Car of the Connoisseur.
Henri Rougier
became the Paris agent and chief publicist for both Turcat-Méry and Lorraine-Dietrich which he achieved by a long and successful career in motor racing and rallying.
Turcat-Méry's liaison with Lorraine-Dietrich lasted until the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Turcat-Méry ceased production in 1928.
Some Turcat-Méry designs were produced by the De Dietrich
company. In 1907 Turcat-Méry produced their first six cylinder model but the four cylinder models from 2.6 to 6.3 litres continued until the outbreak of World War I in 1914.
After World War I production concentrated on the 15/25 hp (RAC rating of 15.9 hp) with a 3 litre, four cylinder long-stroke, fixed 'head engine. It also had a cone clutch and a foot-operated transmission brake.
In the early/mid-1920s, Turcat-Méry introduced an advanced, overhead-camshaft engine.
In the mid 1920s Turcat-Méry attempted to find new markets by switching to smaller-capacity proprietary engined models, but it was unsuccessful so they ceased car production in 1928.
In May 1903 Rougier finished 11th overall in the Paris-Madrid race
driving a 45-hp Turcat-Méry. He was also classified 9th in the heavy car class.
On 17 June 1904 Rougier competed in the Gordon Bennett Cup
race in Germany driving a 45-hp Turcat-Méry. Kaiser Wilhelm II had decreed that the race start from Bad Homburg
in the Taunus
mountains. He finished in third place, taking 6 hours 46 minutes 31 seconds to complete the 564 kilometres (350 mi).
. The Monte Carlo Rally
was to start at points all over Europe and converge on Monte Carlo. In January 1911 23 cars set out from 11 different locations and Rougier was among the nine who left Paris to cover a 1020 kilometres (634 mi) route. The event was won by Henri Rougier in a Turcat-Méry 45 Hp. The rally comprised both driving and then somewhat arbitrary judging based on the elegance of the car, passenger comfort and the condition in which it arrived in the principality. The outcry of scandal when the results were published changed nothing, so Rougier was proclaimed the first winner.
which he then had reworked to improve the engines and 4 wheel brakes using Henri Perrot's latest drum/shoe brake
design.> The chassis were then bodied by coach-builders such as Million Guillet in Levallois-Perret
Paris and the exclusive finished models were badged and registered as 'Rougier'.
Monte Carlo Rally
The Monte Carlo Rally or Rally Monte Carlo is a rallying event organised each year by the Automobile Club de Monaco which also organises the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix and the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. The rally takes place along the French Riviera in the Principality of Monaco and...
, but in its prime it was also known for Grand Prix racing and for producing The Car of the Connoisseur. Prior to World War I it was closely associated with the Lorraine-Dietrich company.
History
The Turcat-Méry motor manufacturing business began in 1895 when Alphonse Méry of Marseille bought a Panhard et Levassor and a Peugot. His younger brother Simon Méry and his brother in law Léon Turcat, both engineers, decided to improve on both models with their own design, a 2.6-litre, four cylinder, five speed car with electric ignition, radiators at each end of the engine and two speeds in reverse. Thus in 1899, when the car was ready for sale, they founded Turcat-Méry & Cie. They then established a partnership with Baron Adrien de Turckheim :fr:Adrien de Turckheim of the De DietrichDe Dietrich
De Dietrich is a holding company based in France which traces its history back to the early 17th century. It was active in the automobile, railway and industrial machines industry. It sold it holding stake in De Dietrich Ferroviaire to Alstom in 1990...
and Lorraine-Dietrich
Lorraine-Dietrich
Lorraine-Dietrich was a French automobile and aircraft engine manufacturer from 1896 until 1935, created when railway locomotive manufacturer Société Lorraine des Anciens Etablissments de Dietrich and Cie branched into the manufacture of automobiles...
company, and produced cars whose slogan was The Car of the Connoisseur.
Henri Rougier
Henri Rougier
Henri Louis Rougier, was a French sportsman, racing cyclist, pioneer aeroplane pilot and sporting motorist. He is best remembered for his victory in the inaugural Monte Carlo Rally when he drove his Turcat-Méry from Paris to Monte Carlo, but he was also a regular competitor in both 'City to City'...
became the Paris agent and chief publicist for both Turcat-Méry and Lorraine-Dietrich which he achieved by a long and successful career in motor racing and rallying.
Turcat-Méry's liaison with Lorraine-Dietrich lasted until the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Turcat-Méry ceased production in 1928.
Models
The 1899 Turcat-Méry had a 2.6-litre four-cylinder engine with magneto ignition. It also had a radiator at each end of the engine, chain drive and a five-speed gearbox with two speeds in reverse.Some Turcat-Méry designs were produced by the De Dietrich
De Dietrich
De Dietrich is a holding company based in France which traces its history back to the early 17th century. It was active in the automobile, railway and industrial machines industry. It sold it holding stake in De Dietrich Ferroviaire to Alstom in 1990...
company. In 1907 Turcat-Méry produced their first six cylinder model but the four cylinder models from 2.6 to 6.3 litres continued until the outbreak of World War I in 1914.
After World War I production concentrated on the 15/25 hp (RAC rating of 15.9 hp) with a 3 litre, four cylinder long-stroke, fixed 'head engine. It also had a cone clutch and a foot-operated transmission brake.
In the early/mid-1920s, Turcat-Méry introduced an advanced, overhead-camshaft engine.
In the mid 1920s Turcat-Méry attempted to find new markets by switching to smaller-capacity proprietary engined models, but it was unsuccessful so they ceased car production in 1928.
Motor racing
Henri Rougier was the main dealer for Turcat-Méry motor vehicles, and like most other manufacturers he used racing and competition as both a technical development and publicity aid for marketing.In May 1903 Rougier finished 11th overall in the Paris-Madrid race
Paris-Madrid race
The Paris–Madrid race of May 1903 was an early experiment in auto racing, organized by the Automobile Club de France and by the Spanish Automobile Club, Automóvil Club Español....
driving a 45-hp Turcat-Méry. He was also classified 9th in the heavy car class.
On 17 June 1904 Rougier competed in the Gordon Bennett Cup
Gordon Bennett Cup in auto racing
As one of three Gordon Bennett Cups established by James Gordon Bennett, Jr., millionaire owner of the New York Herald, the automobile racing award was first given in 1900 in France....
race in Germany driving a 45-hp Turcat-Méry. Kaiser Wilhelm II had decreed that the race start from Bad Homburg
Bad Homburg
Bad Homburg vor der Höhe is the district town of the Hochtaunuskreis, Hesse, Germany, on the southern slope of the Taunus, bordering among others Frankfurt am Main and Oberursel...
in the Taunus
Taunus
The Taunus is a low mountain range in Hesse, Germany that composes part of the Rhenish Slate Mountains. It is bounded by the river valleys of Rhine, Main and Lahn. On the opposite side of the Rhine, the mountains are continued by the Hunsrück...
mountains. He finished in third place, taking 6 hours 46 minutes 31 seconds to complete the 564 kilometres (350 mi).
Monte Carlo rally
In 1909 the Automobile Club de Monaco (Sport Automobile Velocipedique Monegasque) started planning a car rally at the behest of Albert I, Prince of MonacoAlbert I, Prince of Monaco
Albert I was Prince of Monaco and Duke of Valentinois from 10 September 1889 until his death.-Early life:...
. The Monte Carlo Rally
Monte Carlo Rally
The Monte Carlo Rally or Rally Monte Carlo is a rallying event organised each year by the Automobile Club de Monaco which also organises the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix and the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. The rally takes place along the French Riviera in the Principality of Monaco and...
was to start at points all over Europe and converge on Monte Carlo. In January 1911 23 cars set out from 11 different locations and Rougier was among the nine who left Paris to cover a 1020 kilometres (634 mi) route. The event was won by Henri Rougier in a Turcat-Méry 45 Hp. The rally comprised both driving and then somewhat arbitrary judging based on the elegance of the car, passenger comfort and the condition in which it arrived in the principality. The outcry of scandal when the results were published changed nothing, so Rougier was proclaimed the first winner.
Rougier - Turcat-Méry
After World War I Henri Rougier purchased a limited number of completed 1913/14 Turcat-Méry chassisChassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
which he then had reworked to improve the engines and 4 wheel brakes using Henri Perrot's latest drum/shoe brake
Drum brake
A drum brake is a brake in which the friction is caused by a set of shoes or pads that press against a rotating drum-shaped part called a brake drum....
design.> The chassis were then bodied by coach-builders such as Million Guillet in Levallois-Perret
Levallois-Perret
Levallois-Perret is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris.-Name:The name Levallois-Perret comes from two housing developments, Champerret and Village Levallois , and which resulted in the incorporation of the...
Paris and the exclusive finished models were badged and registered as 'Rougier'.