Turcat-Méry

Turcat-Méry
Company type	Private
Industry	Automotive
Founded	1899
Founder	Alphonse Méry, Simon Méry, Léon Turcat
Defunct	1928
Fate	Ceased manufacturing operations
Headquarters	Marseille, France
Area served	Europe
Key people	Henri Rougier (principal promoter and dealer)
Products	Automobiles

Turcat-Méry was a French automobile manufacturer active from 1899 until 1928, celebrated for its victory in the first-ever Monte Carlo Rally and its distinguished presence in Grand Prix racing. Promoted under the slogan The Car of the Connoisseur, the company maintained a significant partnership with Lorraine-Dietrich prior to the outbreak of World War I.

History

In 1895, Alphonse Méry, based in Marseille, began acquiring vehicles from Panhard et Levassor and Peugeot. His brother Simon Méry, alongside their engineer brother-in-law Léon Turcat, engineered an advanced 2.6-litre four-cylinder automobile featuring electric ignition, dual radiators, and a five-speed transmission that included two reverse gears. This innovation led to the establishment of Turcat-Méry & Cie in 1899. The firm collaborated with Baron Adrien de Turckheim of De Dietrich and Lorraine-Dietrich, producing automobiles marketed as The Car of the Connoisseur.

Henri Rougier acted as the Parisian representative and principal promoter for both Turcat-Méry and Lorraine-Dietrich, capitalizing on his achievements in motor racing.

The alliance with Lorraine-Dietrich persisted until the onset of World War I in 1914. Turcat-Méry ultimately discontinued manufacturing operations in 1928.

Models

The initial 1899 Turcat-Méry model was equipped with a 2.6-litre four-cylinder engine utilizing magneto ignition, dual radiator systems, chain drive, and a five-speed gearbox that included two reverse options.

Certain vehicles were produced under license by De Dietrich. In 1907, Turcat-Méry introduced its first six-cylinder model while continuing to offer four-cylinder variants ranging between 2.6 and 6.3 litres until production paused in 1914.

Following World War I, production centered on the 15/25 hp variant (with an RAC rating of 15.9 hp), powered by a 3-litre four-cylinder long-stroke engine featuring a cone clutch and a foot-operated transmission brake.

During the early to mid-1920s, Turcat-Méry developed an advanced overhead camshaft engine. However, subsequent efforts to penetrate new markets using smaller proprietary engines were unsuccessful, culminating in the cessation of automobile production in 1928.

Motor racing

Henri Rougier, serving as Turcat-Méry’s principal dealer, utilized motor racing both to advance technical development and to enhance brand visibility.

In May 1903, Rougier competed in the Paris-Madrid race, driving a 45 hp Turcat-Méry and securing 11th place overall as well as 9th in the heavy car category.

On June 17, 1904, he participated in the Gordon Bennett Cup held in Germany with a 45 hp Turcat-Méry, finishing third after covering 564 km in six hours and forty-six minutes.

Monte Carlo rally

The Automobile Club de Monaco launched the Monte Carlo Rally in 1909 with support from Albert I, Prince of Monaco. The event featured multiple starting points across Europe converging on Monte Carlo. In January 1911, Rougier was among nine competitors who began from Paris on a course spanning 1020 km. He emerged victorious driving a Turcat-Méry 45 hp model that combined driving skill with assessments based on vehicle elegance and condition upon arrival.

Rougier — Turcat-Méry

After World War I, Henri Rougier acquired a limited number of Turcat-Méry chassis from 1913/14 and upgraded them with more powerful engines alongside Henri Perrot’s advanced four-wheel drum braking system. These chassis were subsequently fitted with bodies by coachbuilders such as Million-Guillet located in Levallois-Perret and sold as exclusive 'Rougier' editions.

Notes

a. Drum brake innovations were patented by Henri Perrot; in 1924, Vincent Bendix acquired the rights to produce these designs under license.

External links