Germain 18/22 HP
Car : Germain 18/22 HP
Year : 1905
Engine :4 cylinders in line
Bore and stroke :102?110 mm
Cylinder capacity : 3595 cc
Gears : 3 forward
Brake horse power : 22
Maximum speed : 42mph
Wheelbase :9 ft 3 ins (2.82m)
Suspension : front: semi-elliptic leaf- springs ; rear : ?elliptic leaf- springs
Founded in 1897, in Monceau-sur-Sambre, Germain began by assembling Daimler cars. Only in 1903 did it start independent production with the 15/18 HP which had an engine with an L-shaped cylinder head and dual ignition. The 35 HP had a rounded radiator and this became a characteristic of the make. In 1905 the 14/22 was put into production. This had a T-shaped cylinder head and a 3-speed transmission and was very fast for its capacity (3000 cc). It was thus able to make a name for itself in the racing world. The 18/22 is a derivation of it, the increase in capacity being achieved by increasing the bore (from 92 to 102 mm). This model remained in production until 1914.

Germain was involved in some sporting activity, taking part in the French Grand Prix of 1908. Subsequently the company took up a manufacturing licence for the sleeve-valve engine and its history is strewn with numerous attempts to keep pace with the other Belgian and International makes. The 1914 war put an end to its business. Historically this make will be remembered for the mechanism introduced on the 1906 range of models for lifting the valves. A centrifugal speed governor was fitted which limited the engine speed to 1,000 revs to protect the engine from damaging over-use.