Isn’t it curious how a simple name can unlock a century of innovation? Here at Allée Cottin Desgouttes, we’re not just standing on a street. We are standing on the legacy of French automotive excellence.
Let me introduce you to Cottin & Desgouttes. They were not just car manufacturers. They were pioneers. In 1904, Pierre Desgoutte began his automotive journey. He started it under the name “Desgouttes & Cie” in Lyon. His first model was the Type A. It boasted a powerful 9.5-liter, 45 hp six-cylinder engine. Only two of these were ever built.
By 1906, Cyrille Cottin joined Desgoutte. Together, they formed “Automobiles Cottin & Desgouttes”. Pierre Desgoutte became the Technical Director. Cyrille Cottin managed sales. Their focus quickly shifted to luxury and sports models.
Between 1906 and 1914, the company focused on four-cylinder models. A 2.5 liter, 12 hp model launched in 1907 became a hit. It remained in production for over four years. By 1913, Cottin & Desgouttes produced 450 cars. They had a staff of 300. This was impressive for the time. The average was one car per employee per year.
Cottin & Desgouttes became known for high quality and innovation. They embraced “high-tech” solutions. They were among the first to use single-block engines. They also used direct-drive transmission and universal joint-based transmission.
The company’s fame grew with its participation in car races. In May 1906, Auguste Fraignac won the Limonest race in a Cottin & Desgouttes car. Cyrille Cottin himself participated in races and rallies.
During World War I, Cottin & Desgouttes contributed to the war effort. They produced fast utility vehicles. They supplied the French Army with 36 hp “Torpedoes.” The reliability of their trucks became legendary. They also manufactured aircraft motors for Gnome et Rhône.
After the war, Cottin & Desgouttes returned to luxury car production. They launched the smaller, more affordable Type M in 1922. Soon after, Pierre Desgoutte left the company. Paul Joseph replaced him. Joseph developed a faster car based on the Type M for racing. This car won the Grand Prix du Tourisme de l’Automobile Club de France. This led to the “Grand Prix” model.
The company began researching aerodynamic profiling. The results influenced the 1925 models. The 4-seat “boat-torpedo” had a streamlined rear.
In 1925, Cottin & Desgouttes launched the “Sans Secousse”. It featured Houdaille-type shock absorbers. It also had separate springs for all four wheels. The President of France, Gaston Doumergue, praised the invention. Cottin quipped that the bad roads inspired it. The Sans-Secousse became successful internationally.
Four “Sans Secousse” cars won the first Saharan Tourist Car Rally in 1930. These 14 hp sport roadsters proved their durability.
Despite their achievements, the company fell victim to the 1930s crisis. A “Sans Secousse” cost twice as much as a six-cylinder Citroën. The last Cottin & Desgouttes car was more conventional. It featured a 3.8-liter, six-cylinder engine. Production ceased in 1931. The last cars were sold in 1933.
The Allée Cottin Desgouttes reminds us of their legacy. The 1911 Grand Prix car even appeared in the film “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”. It was driven by its owner, John “Jumbo” Goddard. So as we stand here, remember the innovation and luxury that once defined Cottin & Desgouttes.