History of brands. Hotchkiss: the brand of a man who never built cars
The Jeep was produced by Hotchkiss for the French army between 1946 and 1966, when the last copy was produced. The last copies of the French Jeep will be deregistered in 2000. Photo AFCVM
Benjamin Berkeley Hotchkiss was born on 1eh October 1826 in Watertown, United States. He quickly left school to become an apprentice in a mechanical workshop, where he learned a lot.
In 1855, together with his brother Andrew, he developed an artillery projectile then he placed an order for ammunition for his country starting the Civil War.
In 1867, he arrived in Europe to undertake new activities and created the Hotchkiss company in Saint-Denis. The company logo features two crossed cannons surrounded by a grenade, all surrounded by a belt closed with a buckle, an almost exact copy of the United States military badge.
Military Equipment Makes Progress
In 1872, Benjamin Hotchkiss invented a machine gun that was found in all armed forces for nearly 50 years. In 1885, upon his death, the company passed into the hands of his French collaborators under the name of Société des ancien establishments Hotchkiss et compagnie.
A large fleet of high-precision machine tools has earned the company orders from car manufacturers for crankshafts, pistons, etc. The experience encouraged them to develop the engine and chassis: a first prototype was released in 1903.
The Hotchkiss Artois type 864 s49, presented at the 1948 Paris Motor Show, is a luxury car produced between 1948 and 1950. It is an updated version of the 486 and 686 that appeared in the 1930s. Photo GT Spirit
1904, Hotchkiss became a car manufacturer
On February 26, 1904, the Mines Department received an 18 hp type G followed by an 80 hp type E in May 1904 with a displacement of 17.8 l. If these cars took part in the races, the first customer model of the type D left in 1904 (35 hp) then a type F of 17 hp arrived in 1907. An O model was produced that year by a raid of 34,000 km through France, England, Scotland and Ireland.
In 1908, the brand switched to 6 cylinders with engines generating 30 and 50 hp. Before the war in 1914, Hotchkiss released three other 6-cylinder models including the AF and AG types. During the war, Hotchkiss built 400 cars for the army.
The golden age from 1920
At the 1922 Paris Motor Show, Hotchkiss launched the AM 12 HP, taking the slogan of “the happy medium car” that synthesized the votes of a wealthy bourgeois clientele seeking comfort and discretion. From autumn 1925 a new line of 4 or 6 cylinder engines will be produced with some technical improvements until 1954.
In 1929, the brand set 13 world records in Montlhéry and won the Monte-Carlo rally in 1932, 1933 and 1934. From the show in 1934, the influence of aerodynamics marked the bodywork: slightly inclined grille, integrated and streamlined trunk; the cars attract by the difference of their lines.
After the acquisition of Amilcar in 1936, Hotchkiss offered the Amilcar Compound, a prototype studied by engineer Jean-Albert Grégoire; modern (front-wheel drive and independent wheels), however, it is too expensive to win. And the war ended the sales.
Paul-Emile Victor’s French polar expeditions will use this machine to replace the American tracked Weasel.
Rebirth in liberation
After building the body of a Tudor electric car in 1942, Hotchkiss began producing spare parts for the Willys Jeep from 1946, then selling Jeeps until 1966, while producing heavy trucks.
During this period, the design offices were preparing three new models, including the 686 that would win the Monte-Carlo rally in 1949. In 1950, the Artois models were replaced by the Anjou with streamlined bodywork.
In 1951, the brand offered the Hotchkiss-Grégoire, a 6-seater car with front-wheel drive. Problem: it was too expensive to produce because the car was 15 years ahead of schedule… The 2050 L sedan would be the last touring model produced by Hotchkiss before turning to heavyweight.
always ahead
In 1955, Hotchkiss purchased the Delahaye brand and produced its first PL-25 truck while continuing its military productions. In 1956, Hotchkiss merged with Brandt and produced 2,600 light armored vehicles, mainly for Federal Germany.
At the same time, Hotchkiss was studying and developing the HB 40 (Hotchkiss-Bouffort) intended for the French polar expeditions (EPF). In March 1963 after many improvements, the vehicle was crossing slopes of more than 60%, slopes of 45 to 60%.
In the field of heavy goods vehicles, Hotchkiss produced the first tilting forward cab with its PL-60 (6 tons GVW) in 1964.
