Dechamps

Dechamps
1899 Ateliers H.P.Dechamps, Brussels, Belgium.
1900-1903 SA des Moteurs et Automobiles Dechamps, Brussels.
1903-1904 SA de Construction Mecanique et d'Automobiles, Brusels, Belgium.

In March 1899 H.P.Dechamps exhibited a De Dion Bouton type tricycle and a voiturette powered by a front mounted 3hp 2cylinder engine, with a 3 speed gearbox and chain drive. On the 31st December 1899 the new company was formed, with larger premises which included a foundry and a coachbuilding shop. The 1900 range consisted of three types, the tricycle, a 4.5hp 2 cylinder 2 seater voiturette and an 8hp 4 seater car, while in 1901 the tricycle gave way to a 6hp single-cylinder voiturette, and the larger car was a 12hp. A variety of bodies were made, including a wagonette and a light truck. Dechamps entered in town-to-town races such as the Paris-Berlin for whioch they built a 20hp 4 cylinder car.
In 1903 the company came under British control and the name was changed to SA de Construction Mecaniques et d'Automobiles, although the name Dechamps was still used for the cars. These were now larger, from a 2198cc 9/11hp twin to two fours, a 4396cc 14hp and a 5024cc 18hp, and theyvwere all chain driven. In January 1904 the compoany brought out a new car under the name Baudouin and the name Dechamps was dropped.