Rare Car Archive

Makes › Hotchkiss France › Grégoire · Rare production · 1950–1954 Extremely Rare

Hotchkiss
Grégoire

Aluminium-structured front-wheel-drive flat-four saloon by Jean-Albert Grégoire.

Hotchkiss Grégoire (Wikimedia Commons search)
Hotchkiss Grégoire (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Loudumo · CC BY-SA 4.0
247BuiltIndependently researched
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
247 Built
Years
1950–1954
Engine
Air-cooled flat four ("double flat-twin"), front-mounted ahead of the front axle · 2,190 cc / 2.2 LFactory: 2,190 cc
Power
59.7 kW / 81.1 PSFactory: 80 hp · converted
Top speed
155 km/hFactory: 155 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Jean-Albert Grégoire
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Hotchkiss-Grégoire was Jean-Albert Grégoire's advanced front-wheel-drive saloon with an aluminium monocoque structure and independent suspension. High costs and unusual looks limited sales to 247 cars, making it one of the rarest French cars of its era.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityExtremely Rare 247 · Built1
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

  • Hotchkiss Grégoire (Wikimedia Commons search)Hotchkiss Grégoire (Wikimedia Commons search)
    Photo: Loudumo · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Hotchkiss Grégoire (Wikimedia Commons search)Hotchkiss Grégoire (Wikimedia Commons search)
    Photo: Buch-t · Public domain

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionproduced 2471 Factory production Independently researched

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Designed by front-wheel-drive and light-alloy pioneer Jean-Albert Grégoire, the car was introduced by Hotchkiss in 1950. Its aluminium monocoque and independent suspension made it expensive to build, and its unconventional appearance did not help sales. Production ended in 1954 after 247 had been made.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard Grégoire.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutAir-cooled flat four ("double flat-twin"), front-mounted ahead of the front axle2 Independently researched
Cylinders42 Independently researched
Displacement 2,190 cc / 2.2 LFactory: 2,190 cc2 Independently researchedThe prototype engine displaced 2000 cc.
Bore 90 mmFactory: 90 mm2 Independently researched
Stroke 86 mmFactory: 86 mm2 Independently researched
Compression ratioNot yet verified
Fuel systemSolex 30 PAAI carburettor3 Independently researched
Power 59.7 kW / 81.1 PSFactory: 80 hp · converted3 Independently researched
Power atNot yet verified
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxNot yet verified
Gears42 Independently researched
Driven wheelsFront3 Independently researched

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisAluminium monocoque3 Independently researched
Front suspensionIndependent2 Independently researched
Rear suspensionIndependent with coil springs2 Independently researched
BrakesFour-wheel Bendix hydraulic2 Independently researched
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionOne-piece cast-aluminium cowl, windscreen and body frame2 Independently researched
Wheelbase 2,490 mmFactory: 98 in · converted2 Independently researched
Length 4,650 mmFactory: 183 in · converted2 Independently researched
WidthNot yet verified
Height 1,520 mmFactory: 60 in · converted2 Independently researchedStated as "near-60".
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weightNot yet verified
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 155 km/hFactory: 155 km/h2 Independently researchedSpeedometer reading; the owner quoted about 97 mph.
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tank 45.4 LFactory: 12 gal-us · converted2 Independently researchedApproximate, as stated.

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The Grégoire has a pronounced nose with the engine placed ahead of the front wheels, a one-piece cast-aluminium cowl, windscreen and body frame, and wide front-hinged doors. The accelerator is a suspended ball-shaped pedal, the four-speed gear lever is on the steering column with a separate chromed stalk used only for fourth, and the radio controls sit in front of the passenger. Semaphore-style indicators are fitted behind the rear doors, and the fuel filler is hidden inside the boot.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    1953 Hotchkiss Grégoire Type JAG | Osenat Level B
    • 247 produced
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  2. 2
    Hotchkiss Gregoire road feature Level C AutoWeek · 2006-02-13
    • described ... as a "double flat-twin"
    • 70-hp four-cylinder engine
    • production version ... displacing 2190 cc
    • 90-mm bore and 86-mm stroke
    • four-speed transmission
    • independently sprung wheels
    • independently sprung wheels and rear coil springs
    • four-wheel Bendix hydraulic brakes
    • one-piece cast-aluminum cowl, windshield and body frame
    • 98-inch wheelbase
    • 183-inch length
    • near-60-inch height
    • speedometer indicates the car can reach 155 km/h
    • gas tank holds right around 12 gallons
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  3. 3
    1953 Hotchkiss Grégoire Type JAG – Lot 24 Level B Osenat
    • Solex 30 PAAI
    • enabling its engine to develop 80 horsepower
    • front-wheel drive
    • aluminum monocoque chassis
    Accessed 2026-11-11

Keep exploring

More from Hotchkiss

See all 5 cars by Hotchkiss →

France More from France

70 other makes from FranceACMAAixamAlcatelAlpineAmilcarArzensAvions VoisinBACBallotBerlietBolloreBuccialiBugattiCGCharron, Girardot et VoigtChenard-WalckerCitroënClément-PanhardDAMSDarracqDBDB (Deutsch-Bonnet)De DietrichDe Dion-BoutonDe Dion, Bouton et TrépardouxDe La ChapelleDelageDelahayeDelaunay-BellevilleDerbyDSExagonFacel VegaFarmanFord FranceGentyGordiniHommellHopiumJimenezAll makes →