1951 Hotchkiss-Gregoire Sedan

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The 1951 Hotchkiss‑Grégoire embodied Hotchkiss’s audacious postwar push toward advanced engineering and modern automotive design. Conceived by Jean‑Albert Grégoire, a pioneer in lightweight construction and front‑wheel‑drive systems, the sedan marked a clear departure from the company’s traditionally conservative models. Produced from 1950 to 1953 in a limited run of about 247 units, it introduced engineering concepts uncommon in early‑1950s Europe.

The car was built with extensive aluminum components, including a stamped aluminum‑and‑steel body and a one‑piece cast aluminum chassis and firewall. Its 2,180 cc horizontally opposed, water‑cooled four‑cylinder engine, mounted far forward to facilitate front‑wheel drive, contributed to a low hood line and streamlined profile. A distinctive four‑wheel independent suspension with horizontal, stretch‑type coil springs gave the Grégoire an impressively modern driving feel for its time.

Commercial success proved elusive. High production costs, steep pricing, and French taxation policies limited sales. Few examples reached the United States; this 1951 Hotchkiss-Grégoire was shipped to New York in 1953 and later surfaced in Colorado with under 7,000 miles. It was damaged after decades beneath a fallen tree, though its aluminum structure remained repairable.

This 1951 Hotchkiss-Grégoire Sedan is now represented at no reserve by a Broad Arrow Specialist with a clean Florida title in the current owner's name.

Highlights

• Offered from the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum

• One of 247 produced from 1950 to 1953

• 2,180cc water‑cooled flat-four‑cylinder engine rated at 70 hp

• Four-speed manual transaxle gearbox with synchromesh on the top three gears plus an overdrive fourth

• Front‑wheel‑drive

Factory Equipment

• Cast‑aluminum structural “Hull” construction

• Variable‑rate independent suspension

• Low‑drag aerodynamic body

• Sedanette styling

• Aluminum wheels with chrome hubcaps

• Green leather upholstery

• Banjo steering wheel

• Chrome grill

• Woodgrain dashboard

Modifications

• Aftermarket gauge mounted below dashboard

• Seatbelts added for front-seat occupants

Servicing & Documentations

• Totally restored by the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum

• This 1951 Hotchkiss-Grégoire Sedan has been maintained by the museum’s dedicated restoration team to ensure it remains clean and “road ready."

• Said to have nice chrome and older repaint

Known Imperfections

• Crack in paint on right side of roof

Ownership History

This 1951 Hotchkiss‑Grégoire Sedan is offered from the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum.

Additional Information

A Broad Arrow Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the seller of this listing. As such, the purchase transaction will be facilitated by Broad Arrow, including vehicle payment, applicable taxes required to be collected by the seller or Broad Arrow, and title/ownership reassignment. Broad Arrow is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Donnie Gould Phone: 954.647.0779 Email: dgould@hagerty.com