For motorsport enthusiasts, the brand “Whizzer” likely rings a bell. This US motorcycle brand, originally from Detroit, has a lesser-known chapter in Luxembourg’s industrial history.
For a brief period from 1947/48 until the mid-1950s, Whizzer motorcycles were actually manufactured in Luxembourg, in the town of Cessange. There, a company employing around 60 workers assembled these motorcycles.
The story began with a newspaper advertisement seeking a “capable man” to install an engine into a motorcycle frame. A certain Pierre Didier answered the ad, ultimately securing approval from the United States to start production. Didier then hired staff, and operations commenced around 1947/48.
Gilbert Bredimus, a long-time vintage motorcycle enthusiast, has been captivated by the history of Whizzer motorcycles, especially those made in Luxembourg. Over the past 50 years, he has collected documents and interviewed individuals who witnessed the manufacturing process firsthand.
In an interview with our colleagues from RTL Télé, Bredimus shared that about 35 years ago, he managed to communicate via phone with people directly involved in the company. He took extensive notes, fearing that the story of Whizzer bikes made in Luxembourg might otherwise be lost.
Production in Luxembourg only lasted a few years. Parts shipped from the United States were delivered to Antwerp, where lorries transported them to Cessange. Once assembled, the motorcycles were loaded back onto lorries for distribution, including to Belgium. The process ran efficiently: the lorries would return to Antwerp empty, ready to pick up the next batch.
Recently, Bredimus acquired a Whizzer of his own, restoring it with the help of fellow enthusiast Joel Keyser. Keyser noted that motorcycle restoration “isn’t for everyone” but spoke of the satisfaction of seeing a machine come back to life.
The end of Whizzer production in Luxembourg coincided with the rise of affordable cars, such as the Volkswagen Beetle, which offered a more comfortable and practical alternative to motorcycles.
Reflecting on this period, Bredimus emphasised that the Whizzer story is an integral part of Luxembourg’s industrial heritage, though he doubts motorcycles will ever again be manufactured in the country. He believes preserving this history is essential, as many of these motorcycles still exist today, cared for by enthusiasts around the country.
