Imperia Test Track: A Unique Rooftop Racing Relic in Belgium

Hidden within the village of Nessonvaux in Belgium, the abandoned Imperia Test Track offers a rare glimpse into early automotive history and innovative design. Built in the late 1920s by the now-defunct Imperia car manufacturer, this one-of-a-kind test track famously loops around and even atop the old factory buildings.

Let’s take a closer look at the history, construction, and lingering mystery of this fascinating rooftop circuit, which stands as a tribute to the bygone era of early 20th-century automotive engineering.

A Brief History of Imperia Automobiles

Imperia Automobiles, founded in 1906, initially operated out of the Belgian city of Liège, just a short drive from the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit. In 1907, the company moved its operations to Nessonvaux, a quiet village in the municipality of Trooz.

It was here that Imperia flourished, manufacturing cars that would later earn a reputation for quality and innovation. But what set Imperia apart was not just their vehicles, but the daring design of a rooftop test track, an idea almost unheard of at the time.

The Birth of the Rooftop Test Track

In 1928, Imperia took the bold step of constructing a 1-kilometer test track around and on top of their factory buildings in Nessonvaux. This design allowed engineers to test the performance and handling of each car in a real-world environment without ever leaving the factory grounds.

Only two other rooftop test tracks were ever constructed in the world. The Fiat Lingotto track in Italy, completed in 1923, and a similar track at Chrysler’s factory in Buenos Aires, opened in the same year as the Imperia track. Each of these rooftop tracks, including Imperia’s, represented the ambition of an automotive industry at the forefront of its era.

The Layout and Challenges of Imperia’s Test Track

The Imperia test track was built with a unique, high-banked layout to handle the cars’ speed on a compact rooftop course. The layout included two tight, 90-degree high-banked turns on one side and a long, sweeping 180-degree turn on the other. However, the layout also presented considerable challenges for drivers, who had to contend with sharp bends on a narrow track suspended above factory spaces below.

This track demanded skill and precision, as even slight mistakes could lead to dangerous consequences. Yet it offered Imperia an on-site method for rigorously testing their cars’ durability and handling – a forward-thinking approach that was still relatively novel at the time.

Decline and Closure of Imperia

Imperia’s success was not destined to last. The brand ceased manufacturing its own cars in 1948 and shifted to assembling Standard Vanguard cars under license. However, when Standard decided to establish a new factory in Belgium, Imperia’s plant at Nessonvaux was rendered obsolete and ultimately closed its doors in 1957.

Following the factory’s closure, much of the infrastructure, including sections of the test track, fell into disrepair. While parts of the track were later demolished.

The Remains of the Imperia Test Track Today

Today, the remaining sections of the Imperia Test Track offer a haunting glimpse of the past. The track is in a state of advanced decay. With crumbling surfaces and exposed sections that make it dangerous to traverse. The surrounding factory buildings are similarly deteriorated, with broken windows and rusted frameworks bearing witness to decades of abandonment.

Yet, for those who venture to the site, the remnants of the track’s high-banked turns and faded asphalt stand as a testament to an era when automotive design and ambition knew no limits.

A Legacy of Innovation and Ambition

While much of the original track has been lost, the story of the Imperia Test Track endures as a unique chapter in automotive history. Unlike any traditional circuit, the Imperia Test Track illustrates the experimental spirit of early car manufacturers who sought new ways to push boundaries, even in confined urban spaces. The track was ahead of its time, serving as both a testing ground and a symbol of Imperia’s commitment to automotive excellence.

Today, the rooftop track remains a hidden gem for automotive enthusiasts and history buffs alike, inviting visitors to imagine the sound of roaring engines and the thrill of testing cars at the limits – above the streets of Nessonvaux.