CREMSA – Construcciones Radio-Electro Mecánicas, SA – was formed after the Second World War
The company was initially based at Carrer Cristóbal de Moura in Barcelona (later relocating to the nearby town of Manresa). In the beginning it had a small workforce and produced stamped metal parts for different sectors – automotive, textile and electrical.
Commencing in 1955, the company began manufacturing delivery three-wheelers, naming its first model “Pato” (or Duck in English) apparently it was so named because its front end and fenders resembled a duck. The Pato was one of the first with the cargo area behind the driver and cabin, and it was powered by a Hispano Villiers 6M, 197cc engine, with forced air cooling, located on the right side of the vehicle. Final drive transmission was by chain to a single wheel of the rear pair.
This 1955 PATO three-wheeler was displayed at Gironella (Catalonia) in 2023 in the Microcotxes Exhibition organised by and based around the collection of Claudi Roca i Casas.
In 1957, the three wheelers evolved with new versions of the Pato appearing. The engine was relocated to the centre, under the driver’s seat, with a transmission shaft to a differential and improved hydraulic braking systems to the rear wheels and a mechanical handbrake on the front wheel and hand lever on the transmission shaft.
Their only motorcycle – the Cremsa Rallye – came out in 1958, going into series production in 1960. The Rallye was an advanced and futuristic model, controversial to some and was offered in two Hispano Villiers engine options: the Model 6M, single cylinder, 197 cc and/or the Model 2T, twin cylinder 250 cc.
This Cremsa Rallye 200 motorcycle was loaned by Aldo de Alberto and was photographed at the Museu de la Moto de Bassella (Catalonia) by Joan Carles Orengo and reproduced here with his permission. ©JoanCarlesOrengo
The crisis in the transport sector took its toll on Cremsa and, in 1963, its assets were acquired by Trimosa (Triciclos Motocicletas S.A) also from Manresa. The Cremsa name continued to be used for some time afterwards though.
Spanish Motorcycles 