Cottin & Desgouttes
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1904 in Lyon, France |
| Founder | Pierre Desgoutte, Cyrille Cottin |
| Defunct | 1933 |
| Headquarters | Lyon , France |
Area served | France, international markets |
Key people | Pierre Desgoutte (Technical Director), Cyrille Cottin (Sales Manager) |
| Products | Luxury and sports automobiles, utility vehicles, aircraft engines (during WWI) |
Number of employees | 300 (1913) |
Cottin & Desgouttes was a French car manufacturer that operated during the early decades of the 20th century.
History
Automobile production began in 1904 when Pierre Desgoutte launched vehicles under the name “Desgouttes & Cie” in Lyon, France. Their initial offering, known as type A, was equipped with a six-cylinder engine of 9.5 liters delivering 45 hp, though only two units were produced.
At the December 1905 Salon de Paris, a chassis powered by a four-cylinder engine rated at 24/40 hp was exhibited, showcasing novel engineering features that were well received by the market. Early in 1906, industrialist Cyrille Cottin partnered with Pierre Desgoutte to establish “Automobiles Cottin & Desgouttes,” assigning Desgoutte as Technical Director and Cottin to manage Sales.
The firm concentrated on crafting luxury and sports automobiles, focusing mainly on four-cylinder engines from 1906 through 1914. Their 2.5-liter, 12 hp model introduced in 1907 enjoyed sustained popularity and saw minimal modifications over more than four years.
By 1913, production reached approximately 450 vehicles annually, supported by a workforce of 300 employees—a remarkable ratio given that typical manufacturers produced about one car per worker each year.
Known for superior craftsmanship, Cottin & Desgouttes was among the first to incorporate advanced technologies such as monobloc engines, direct drive transmissions, and drivetrains utilizing universal joints.
Racing
The brand enhanced its prestige through active involvement in motorsports.
In May 1906, engineer Auguste Fraignac secured victory in the Limonest race within his class driving a Cottin & Desgouttes automobile.
Their racing activities expanded to include events like the 1907 Press Cup—where their vehicle excelled in fuel economy—and the 1911 Grand Prix de France at Le Mans. During this race, their specially engineered car set a lap record before withdrawing due to steering complications.
Founder Cyrille Cottin personally participated as a driver in numerous competitions and rallies.
World War I
With the outbreak of World War I, Cottin & Desgouttes shifted to producing swift utility vehicles and supplied several large 36 hp “Torpedo” models to the French Army General Staff, establishing a reputation for dependable military transport.
Throughout the conflict, the company also manufactured specialized engines for tractors and began producing aircraft engines for Gnome et Rhône in 1915.
After the war
Following the war’s conclusion, Cottin & Desgouttes capitalized on their modern factories and solid financial footing to recommence production of luxury automobiles. Skilled personnel transitioned from wartime manufacturing back to civilian vehicle construction while continuing truck production.
In 1922, they launched the smaller and more economical type M. Shortly thereafter, Pierre Desgoutte left the company, with Paul Joseph taking charge of developing a more powerful racing variant based on the type M platform. This effort culminated in the “Grand Prix” model after securing victory at the Grand Prix du Tourisme de l'Automobile Club de France.
During this era, the company was a pioneer in aerodynamic styling, applying these principles to their 1925 lineup—most notably in the streamlined four-seat “boat-torpedo” design.
In 1925, Cottin & Desgouttes introduced the “Sans Secousse,” which incorporated cutting-edge Houdaille-type paddle shock absorbers along with an advanced suspension system featuring independent springs on all wheels. The front suspension combined leaf springs with vertical guide bars supporting hydraulic dampers; meanwhile, the rear employed oscillating semi-axles with double universal joints complemented by overlapping leaf springs.
Unveiled at the Paris Salon, the “Sans Secousse” received acclaim from French President Gaston Doumergue as a landmark advancement benefiting France’s automotive sector. The model also achieved success beyond national borders.
In 1930, four “Sans Secousse” vehicles triumphed in the inaugural Saharan Tourist Car Rally, showcasing outstanding endurance. These lightweight 14 hp sports roadsters were designed without superfluous features and featured separate front springs, four rear leaf springs, and a de Dion-style rear axle—capable of maintaining high speeds over challenging terrain.
Decline
Despite introducing several advancements, Cottin & Desgouttes ultimately could not withstand the economic downturn of the 1930s. The "Sans Secousse" model was priced at double the cost of a six-cylinder Citroën, which hindered its ability to compete effectively in the market.
Their last offering was a traditional automobile equipped with a 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine mounted laterally. Production ended in 1931, with the remaining inventory sold off by 1933.
An interesting historical note is that the 1911 Grand Prix vehicle featured in the 1968 movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, driven by its owner John 'Jumbo' Goddard.
Bibliography
- The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile
- G.N. Georgano, The Complete Encyclopedia of Motorcars, 1885 to the Present
- Automobile Encyclopedia, Gründ
- Rob de la Rive Box, The Complete Encyclopedia of Antique Cars - Sport & Passenger Cars 1886 - 1940, 1998
- Grande encyclopédie de l'automobile, Alpha Auto, Grange Batelière, Paris
- Francis Reyes, Camions de légende, Massin 1992
- Pierre Lucien Pouzet, Les voitures Rhône-Alpines dans les compétitions jusqu'en 1914, Cahiers Techniques de la Fondation de l'Automobile Marius Berliet
- La Sans-Secousses de Cottin-Desgouttes, Cahiers Techniques de la Fondation de l'Automobile Marius Berliet
- La pénétration automobile au Sahara, Cahiers Techniques de la Fondation de l'Automobile Marius Berliet