A French company founded by August Hurtu, specialised in the construction of sewing machines, typewriters and bicycles.
After building a few light cars for Bollée, Hurtu decided to produce automobiles under his own name in 1896, and presented a small single cylinder model.
This was replaced in 1900 by a new model powered by a 3.4 hp De Dion engine. The range was then joined by a 4 cylinder model, with a radiator situated behind the engine and directly against the front bulkhead of the passenger compartment. This original layout remained a fixed feature on all Hurtu cars up to 1920.
A completely new car was presented in 1922 – the 12 HP, with a 2000 cc four cylinder straight four engine with overhead valves. This was an excellent car – it was fast (105 km/h), comfortable and, with mechanical brakes on all four wheels, safe.
However, the company’s decision to abandon smaller displacement models combined with the poor market reception of the admirable but expensive two litre models led to a drop in sales, and Hurtu was forced to close down at the end of the 1920s.
