Imperia TA-8 History

The TA-8 was conceived in the final years of the war and launched in 1947 as Imperia's attempt to re-enter the post-war market with a home-designed body on proven running gear. The chassis derived from the pre-war Adler Trumpf Junior while the engine was a 1340 cc (65 × 95 mm bore and stroke) inline four-cylinder sourced from Hotchkiss — an engine originally developed for the Amilcar Compound project that never reached production. Output was 45 hp (33 kW) with a three-speed gearbox.

Three body styles were offered: a two-door saloon, a four-seat luxury convertible, and a rakish two-seat Sport roadster. Approximately 100 units were built before production ended in 1949 — a tiny output that reflected both the limits of a small firm and the difficulty of re-establishing a niche car brand in austere post-war Europe. The TA-8 holds the distinction of being the last private car designed and built in Belgium.