Take a look at that pretty car pictured above. Notice its cute headlights and that warm, affectionate face. There’s no doubt that it is a pleasant and elegant looking thing. But you’d never believe that the company that built it used to be an arms manufacturer, making bombs and heavy artillery, would you? Well, it did. A quick look at the badge of Hotchkiss cars (a pair of crossed cannons...) is testament to that fact. Guns, war and bloodshed can be a beautiful thing, can’t it?
Born in Watertown, Connecticut in 1826, Benjamin Hotchkiss was fascinated by guns, bombs and anything else that went bang! He moved to France and set up the Hotchkiss Company in 1867 where his first factory near Paris produced weapons and explosives for the French Government. At the turn of the century, his company turned its attention to building cars and soon became one of the largest mechanical and auto engineering companies in France.
Its first car, the 17 CV with a four-pot motor in 1903 was remarkably similar to the engine in the Mercedes Simplex, built around the same period. Six-cylinder engines followed when the L and O types rolled off the production line four years later. By 1926, Hotchkiss was building bodies in-house and its 1929 AM73 was as attractive as they came.
People were sitting up and taking notice, especially when the cars began impressing at the Monte Carlo Rally in the Thirties. Next to capture the imagination was the 1936 686, also available as the high-performance Grand Sport and with twin carburettors. But the best of the bunch was the glamorous 1939 686 Riviera.
With a 3.5-litre six-cylinder engine and a double overhead cam, it came with the revolutionary Cotal electromagnetic gearbox (which allowed manual changes via a gear lever — without the need of a clutch pedal) as standard.
The chic Riviera was finished in a delightful cream over coffee paint and a tan leather interior. They were the cars to be seen in back and I suspect, today too. If you want one, then head to Barons’ British Heritage sale at Sandown Park on September 18 where a Riviera will be going under the hammer. But bring around Dh250,000 with you.
