Hotchkiss

History

Benjamin Berkeley Hotchkiss

Benjamin Berkeley Hotchkiss (1826-1885) is an American , which had established in Europe a subsidiary company of the building firm of weapons and ammunition that it had founded in 1855, settles with Viviez, close to Rodez, to manufacture metal cases just before does not burst the war free-Prussian of 1870. Two surmounted cross guns of a grenade on fire, the whole surrounded by a belt closed in loop this emblem, copies almost in conformity military badge of the the United States of “Ordnance Department” indicates the origin of it.

The factory of Saint-Denis is inaugurated in 1875. Benjamin deposits many patents and with its death, in 1885, it left a prosperous company.

Car

In 1902, while continuing its military manufacture, Hotchkiss launched out in the subcontracting of spare parts for the car, then in 1904 built its first frame-engines of 20CV. The type E - almost 18 liters of cubic capacity - was prepared for the competition.

At the beginning of the Years 1920, Hotchkiss adopted the slogan: “The car of the happy medium” and launched AM 12CV. In fact the mark rejoined the votes of easy middle-class customers which sought comfort and discretion. Starting from 1925 was developed a new line of valve engines at the head. These engines of 4 or 6 cylinders will be produced with some technical evolutions until in 1954: the 4 cylinders 2,3l (13 CV) established in the series of the AM2 and the 6 cylinders of 3l (17CV) with 3,5l (20CV) established in the AM80. Starting from 1934, the influence of the aérodynamisme is felt: calender slightly tilted, integrated and shaped trunk. The body allures by the classicism and the distinction of their lines. And Hotchkiss shine with the rally of Monte Carlo and in the contests of elegance. In 1936, the firm offered a Camion to Capot of 2 ton S, with a Moteur with Essence of 4 Cylindre S of 2.3 Liter S. After the Second world war, this model was improved with Freins hydraulic and taken the name of PL20.

In 1937, to diversify its range, Hotchkiss, which had repurchased Amilcar, exposed the Amilcar-Compound. It was about a prototype studied by engineer J-A Gregoire with the support of French Aluminum. Modern car (front traction, independent wheels, light alloy frame…), it was much more expensive than its competitors and could not impose itself.

During the Second world war, the automobile production was suspended. Under the aegis of the COA (Steering Committee of the car), Peugeot took an important participation in the capital of Hotchkiss. With the Release, for its displacements in Paris released , the Général de Gaulle required a convertible French car, it is Hotchkiss which was, not without evil, discovered by its staff. After the war, Hotchkiss took again its activities slowly by modernizing the 13 CV and the 20 CV (independent wheels with front, hydraulic brakes). With the Living room of 1950, these two models are replaced by Anjou, which preserves same mechanics but adopts a new body. With the Living room of 1951 is exposed the Hotchkiss-Gregoire. The engineer still succeeded in convincing! Its prototype, the Gregoire R with the very modern technical solutions (four-cylinder motor flat, 4 independent wheels and suspension with variable flexibility, light alloy frame) is with the antipodes Hotchkiss tradition. The weight contained and the Cx (coefficient of penetration; cf Aérodynamique) very favorable ensure of good performances and a moderate consumption. But industrialization proves to be expensive and difficult and manufacture is stopped after 247 produced specimens. This adventure worsened the financial problems of Hotchkiss. And after fusion with Delahaye in 1954, Hotchkiss gives up the construction of private cars. The last model, the Heap, fitted with body by Chapron, with the engine of 20CV will not be produced beyond a few units. In 1956, a new cap truck, named PL50, with a petrol engine, of 4 cylinders, 2.3 liters, 70 Horses and 5 tons of payload.

Thus dies out a mark which will have incarnated, by the elegance and the classicism of its models, a certain tradition of the French car.

In 1961, Hotchkiss signed a marketing agreement (but which did not last) with Leyland, to sell Leyland trucks in France. The factory will however continue to produce commercial vehicles until 1969 stamps " Hotchkiss" and the name of Hotchkiss-Delahaye will survive for the military production before becoming Hotchkiss-Brandt in 1960 then Thomson-CSF in 1971. In 1965, Hotchkiss offered its last model of truck in the name of DH70, with tilting advanced cabin, of payload from 3.7 to 7 tons, with engines of 91 horses, of 3.5 liters, with gasoline or Diesel with the choice, with Transmission of 4 and 5 Rapport S.

The name of Hotchkiss-Brandt was used for the production of mortars and that of Hotchkiss-Brandt-Sogem for the department of the letter sorters. The military vehicles of the mark Thomson-CSF (in the past Hotchkiss-Brandt) preserved the emblem at the cross guns plain with that of Thomson.

Military vehicles

Tank Hotchkiss H35
Tank Hotchkiss H38, which is in fact an alternative of the precedent
Char Hotchkiss H39 (idem)

Hotchkiss and the Jeep

In 1946, Hotckiss joins Willys-Overland Export Corporation, for the sale and the diffusion in France of Jeep CJ 2A then CJ 3A.

on June 16th, 1952, Willys concedes in Hotchkiss the license of manufacture and marketing of the spare parts for the military and civil markets, then the license of construction of all the type of vehicles produced by Willys-Overland. The first assembled model will be the JH101.

the July 29th, 1954, Hotchkiss absorbs the Company of the Cars Delahaye.

1955, starting of a production line and assembly on the site of Holy Denis with 32, Bd Ornano. The French Army starts again the production of Jeep following the failures of the tests of the " program French light vehicle of connection all-terrain" (VLR Delahaye, VSP Peugeot…). The first order carries on 465 vehicles called " Jeep Hotchkiss MB" license;. In fact, it are practically identical to the American models.

1956, Hotchkiss amalgamates with the New Company Brandt. The production is carried out in the factory of Stains (northern of Paris). Following some improvements, the Jeeps then built take the denomination " M201 MB" license; and will be produced with 27.628 units. Put aside 24 specimens intended for the administration, the totality of the production is intended for the army. It will be also produced 5.554 civil vehicles type JH 101, JH 102 and HWL.

1960, starting from the frame 08961, production of Miss M201- 24 Volts.

1961, creation of the Thomson-Houston Hotchkiss-Brandt.

1962, the Jeep is proposed with a diesel engine Indenor 85 XD P4.

1966, the production stops.

1967, the contracts expire.

2000, the M201 last - 24 V are reformed.

Versions armed with Hotchkiss M201

During the war of Algeria, the Army equipped some with its M201 of guns without recoil of 75mm then of 106mm (US M40). At the end of the years 1960, it is sometimes armed with anti-tank missiles SS10 wire-guided. In 1976 M201 Milan appears: each vehicle carrying 3 missiles.

Data sheet of Hotchkiss M201

Years of production: 1956-1967
Length/width/height (in m): 3,37/1,57/1,72
Mass: 1,06 T
Driving: 4 cyl. in line with gasoline of 52 CV
maximum Speed: 105 km/h
Autonomy on road: 400 km

Armament

Machine-gun Hotchkiss Miss 1914
Rifle machine gunner Hotchkiss 1922/1926/1934
light tank Hotchkiss H35

External bonds and bibliography

Refer: The World Encyclopedia Of the Trucks, Manise, a Mark Of the Minerva Editions.

Hotchkiss, with the research of the happy medium on Gazoline.net
History of the mark
the Album Hotchkiss , of P.Fouquet-Hatevilain (editions EPA)
Hotchkiss, Small Dictionary of the “Happy medium” , Daniel Tard (Massin Editor)
Be 2006: a voyage 6366 kilometers in Hotchkiss AM2 of 1926 in Ireland and in Wales from Strasbourg
Be 2007: a voyage 6758 kilometers in Hotchkiss AM2 of 1926 in Wales, in Ireland, Ulster, Scotland, Isle off Skye from Strasbourg

Random links: