Dechamps (Belgium) - AllCarIndex

Dechamps was a Belgian automobile manufacturer that operated from 1899 to 1904. Founded by H.P. Dechamps in Brussels, the company initially focused on producing small vehicles, including a De Dion-Bouton-type tricycle and a voiturette powered by a front-mounted 3-horsepower, 2-cylinder engine. The company was officially established on December 31, 1899, and expanded its facilities to include a foundry and coachbuilding shop.

In its early years, Dechamps offered a range of vehicles, including a 4.5-horsepower, 2-cylinder 2-seater voiturette and an 8-horsepower, 4-seater car. By 1901, the company had transitioned from the tricycle to a 6-horsepower single-cylinder voiturette, while also introducing a more powerful 12-horsepower model. The company produced various body styles, including wagonettes and light trucks, and participated in competitive events such as the Paris-Berlin race, for which they developed a 20-horsepower, 4-cylinder car.

In 1903, Dechamps came under British control, leading to a rebranding as SA de Construction Mécaniques et d'Automobiles, although the Dechamps name continued to be used for its vehicles. The new models were larger and included a range of engines from a 9/11-horsepower twin to 14-horsepower and 18-horsepower four-cylinder options, all utilizing chain drive. However, in January 1904, the company introduced a new vehicle under the name Baudouin, marking the end of the Dechamps brand.