IMPERIA

Imperia produced automobiles from 1906 through 1948. The Imperia autos were well known for using a straight eight engine. This was the engine preference of the times. The company then switched to a 3L 32-valve 4 cylinder engine. This particular engine style allowed speeds up to 90 miles per hour. The next engine style to be used was a side-valve 1100 cc 4 cylinder. It was one of the first autos to be designed with a sun-roof. Between 1927 and 1931 Imperia took over 3 other Belgian car manufacturers, Metallurgique, Excelsior, and Nagant. In 1934 Imoeria merged with Manerva but then split with them again in 1939.