FN 3,5-hp Victoria

The Belgian company FN is originally a weapons manufacturer based in Liege. At the end of the 19th century, after being taken over by a German group, it was decided to start producing other things as well, including cars.

That little seat on the back of this FN 3.5 HP Victoria cannot have been very comfortable. Even though the design and suspension technology are quite refined, it is not really intended for passengers, but for the mechanic, or mecancien, who at the end of the 19th century was still regarded as a servant. After all, the owner of the car could certainly not be expected to get his or her hands dirty if, for example, moving parts needed to be lubricated or, worse still, the drive chain broke. Striking detail is that the starting crank has to be inserted through the spokes of the wheel. The Belgian company FN is originally a weapons factory based in Liege. The abbreviation stands for Fabrique Nationale dArmes de Guerre. At the end of the 19th century, after being taken over by a German concern, the decision was made to start producing other things as well, including cars. The first FN car dates from 1899 and has an air cooled two cylinder engine producing 2.5 hp. The car on display in the museum (which is very well preserved) has a water cooled 3.5 hp engine. The model is so popular that in the same year, 1900, a 4.5 hp version is also brought onto the market.