Background
Unlike so many of his contemporaries who entered the infant motor industry from existing engineering businesses, Marius Berliet was a simple, self-taught mechanic who began work in the silk-weaving industry before joining his father in his business making accessories for the clothing trade.
After attending engineering night-classes, he built his first somewhat disastrous car as early as 1894 and persisted in his endeavours, despite lack of capital, through that decade.
Finally obtaining backing from Alfred Giraud, he set up his own small factory in Lyons and in 1901, assisted by engineer Pierre Desgouttes, he designed a relatively successful and well-engineered, four cylinder, 22hp car of which it is thought about 100 examples were built.
Further expansion saw a wider range of models in production by 1904, his larger offerings taking their design cues from Mercedes.
Good fortune came in 1905 when he sold a licence to build Berliet-designed cars to Albert J.Pitkin of the American Locomotive Co., at the same time agreeing to supply major chassis components.
The 1906 40hp Berliet was superbly engineered - and expensive - and its buyers occupied the more elevated echelons of contemporary society.
The 944 took its name from the fact that it boasted 9 hp, 4 cylinders and 4 speeds.
Technically advanced, very well-built and a strong performer in a competitive market segment, the Berliet 944 fully deserved the considerable success it enjoyed – both reputationally and commercially.
