Pichon-Parat
| Company type | Carrosserie |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotives |
| Founded | 25 February 1952 in Sens, France |
| Founders |
|
| Defunct | 30 November 1983 |
| Fate | Deregistered |
| Headquarters | , |
Pichon-Parat was a French coachbuilding firm located in Sens, Yonne. Established in 1952, the company specialized in bespoke conversions of leading automotive brands’ models into cabriolets, coupés, station wagons, and shooting brakes, alongside crafting original sports car bodies.
History
The enterprise was founded by childhood friends Bernard Pichon (born 28 April 1923) and André Parat (born 9 May 1923), both natives of Sens. Their collaboration began with modifying large American automobiles into utility vehicles. Pichon, who initially trained as a lathe operator before focusing on automotive design, teamed up with Parat, a skilled boilermaker and welder.
In 1949, the duo developed a custom coupé derived from the Ford Vedette sedan and showcased their conversion work at the 1951 Paris Auto Show. The carrosserie was officially established in 1952 at 73 rue du Général Leclerc before relocating to a modest manufacturing site at 39 rue Mocquesouris.
Operating under the name Pichon & Parat, often presented as Pichon-Parat or Pichon Parat Sens, the company was occasionally identified by regional monikers such as Sens or Sénonais.
Following selection by designer Raymond Loewy to construct a bespoke BMW 507, Pichon-Parat collaborated on several projects with Loewy, fabricating bodywork for Cadillac, Jaguar, and Studebaker vehicles.
Bernard Pichon left the firm in 1960 to join Antonio Lago and subsequently became a Fiat public works inspector by 1962. André Parat continued to lead the company solo but maintained joint efforts with Pichon on projects including the pioneering four-headlamp modification for the Citroën DS/ID in 1964—preceding Citroën’s official facelift by three years.
During the mid-1960s, despite invitations from Panhard to merge with Monopole Poissy and proposals from Loewy and Enzo Ferrari to relocate or expand their operations, Parat chose to retain full independence. The business gradually shifted towards distributing Sterckeman caravans while coachbuilding diminished until estate car production briefly resumed in the late 1970s.
On 1 January 1971, activities were transferred to Route de Lyon in Sens; by 1973, the firm ceased coachbuilding altogether to focus on boiler fabrication and automotive repairs.
Bernard Pichon passed away on 19 June 1979. The company was officially dissolved on 30 November 1983. André Parat died in a traffic accident on 24 November 1995.
Bugatti
Soon after World War II, Pichon-Parat created a body for a Bugatti Type 49 Roadster (chassis number 49481) inspired by Gangloff designs.
A Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio (chassis 57314), originally purchased new in 1935 by Monsieur Dettwiller, received a distinctive upgrade approximately fifteen years later. Dettwiller collaborated with Pierre Marco of Bugatti to equip his Type 57 with a new chassis frame (#57314-2) and a Type 101 engine while preserving the original bodywork, which was modified to include elements such as a Type 101 radiator grille. These body alterations were carried out by Pichon-Parat. In 1987, owner C. Richards restored the vehicle to its initial appearance by undoing the modifications made by Pichon-Parat.
Ford Vedette
In October 1950, L'Action Automobile et Touristique highlighted Pichon-Parat’s coupé adaptation of the Ford Vedette sedan among various coachbuilders. This modification converted the original two-box sedan into a three-box configuration. A refreshed Vedette coupé featuring a panoramic rear window was introduced at the 1951 Paris Motor Show. Ultimately, Pichon-Parat completed close to 300 Vedette transformations, encompassing coupés, station wagons, convertibles, and altered sedans including convertible sedans.
Renault 4CV
At the 1951 Grand Palais exhibition, Pichon-Parat presented a coupé variant derived from the Renault 4CV Grand Luxe model.
Renault Frégate
In 1952, Pichon-Parat became the first coachbuilder to reveal a two-door convertible version of the Renault Frégate. The initial iteration was a straightforward roofless modification of the hardtop sedan, equipped with a horizontal bar grille and hood air intake. A subsequent design replaced the broad grille with a slimmer chrome badge and added extensive chrome detailing along the vehicle’s sides. Pichon-Parat did not move forward with production, instead redirecting efforts toward modified Panhard vehicles.
Citroën 15/6
Also in 1952, Pichon-Parat customized a 1949 Citroën Traction Avant 15/6 six-cylinder model. Upgrades inside included a steering wheel gearshift and radio installation. Externally, only the roof and rear door panels remained unchanged; headlamps were integrated into the front fenders, air vents were added, and new rear wheel arches bore resemblance to those on the Renault Frégate.
Peugeot 203
The coachbuilder created a specialized lightweight Peugeot 203 featuring duralumin bodywork, which Parat personally drove during the 1953 Liège–Rome–Liège rally.
Dyna Junior
Motivated by the Panhard Dyna’s performance in the Liège–Rome–Liège rally, Parat and his team produced approximately thirty fixed-head coupé versions of the Panhard Dyna Junior beginning in 1953. These retained the Panhard’s mechanical components and closely mirrored the original design except for modifications to the roof.
Pichon-Parat Dolomite
Following the Dyna Junior coupés, in 1954 the company introduced the Dolomite berlinette with a more aerodynamic silhouette.
While one example was constructed on a DB chassis, most Dolomites were built using chassis from either a Panhard Dyna X or Junior, new or pre-owned according to customer requests. Powered by Panhard flat-twin engines of or , roughly 60 units were manufactured between 1954 and 1956.
Dolomites competed in prominent events such as the Bol d’Or (1954), Tour de Corse (1955-56), Mille Miglia (1956-57), Mont Ventoux, and Lyon-Charbonnières races, securing numerous class victories. A convertible variant was introduced in 1956.
Salmson 2300S
Between 1953 and 1954, Pichon-Parat produced two or three cars based on the Salmson 2300S platform; later models were designated as Pichon-Parat Salmson 2300GS.
Powered by an aluminium DOHC straight-four engine delivering , these vehicles featured either a Cotal preselector gearbox or an optional ZF manual transmission. The suspension setup included independent front wishbones with torsion bars and hydraulic drum brakes; at the rear was a live axle supported by leaf springs. Steering options comprised rack-and-pinion or worm-and-sector mechanisms.
The initial Salmson-bodied car resembled an enlarged Panhard Dolomite coupé. The second example, exhibited at the 1954 Paris Motor Show, sported an aluminium berlinette body weighing only , approximately lighter than the standard Salmson. After addressing cooling problems by redesigning its front air intake, owner René Cotton campaigned it in Monte Carlo, Coupe des Alpes, Liège-Rome-Liège, and Lyon Charbonnières before it was eventually abandoned and scrapped.
The third Salmson berlinette featured a reduced wheelbase (from to ), an aluminium body painted Ile de France blue, a competition-grade Borgward four-speed gearbox, along with Rudge wheels and brake drums. Sold for 7,500 New Francs to an individual known as "Vincent," it was rediscovered in 1956 but vanished again before the decade ended.
Guépard
In 1954, André Delacourt's Société d'Etude et de Recherches (S.E.R.) commissioned two special vehicles powered by Renault engines. The first was assigned to René Paris, while the second was created for Paul Bobet. Both cars utilized a Renault 4 CV Type 662-2 engine equipped with an R1063 large-valve cylinder head, Solex carburettors, a sports exhaust system, and a five-speed transmission developed by André-Georges Claude. Pichon-Parat constructed the original aluminium barquette-style bodies, which were homologated under the name Guépard (meaning Cheetah).
Both vehicles took part in the 1954 Bol d'Or race; Paris's entry failed to finish, whereas Bobet's car secured twenty-second place out of twenty-six competitors. Subsequently, Bobet commissioned Marcel Riffard to design a more aerodynamic bodywork, which was built by Heuliez and renamed the Riffard-Renault in 1956.
Delage D6 3 Litre
In 1955, Pichon-Parat redesigned the body of a Delage D6 3 Litre racing car powered by a supercharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine delivering 142 bhp at 5300 rpm. The vehicle featured a chassis with a 106.3-inch wheelbase, incorporating wishbone front suspension and a live rear axle. A total of five units were produced.
Chassis number 880004, originally acquired new by Henri Louveau in 1947, achieved significant endurance racing success with podium finishes including second place at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Spa 24 Hours, and the 12 Hours of Paris between 1948 and 1950. In 1953, Jacques Nollé purchased this car and commissioned Pichon-Parat to redesign it as a long-nosed coupé featuring pronounced tailfins.
This particular vehicle underwent restoration in 1995 by Auto Classique Touraine in France, returning it to its initial racing specification under the ownership of Peter Mullin.
Pichon-Parat Izoard 4CV
The Izoard Pichon-Parat 4CV, named after the Alpine Col d'Izoard pass, was introduced in 1955 as a sports car developed from the Renault 4CV platform. It showcased aluminium body panels with unique gullwing doors and participated in numerous rally events such as the 1956 Mille Miglia. A cabriolet variant was also released in 1956.
Lancia Aurelia B20 GT
At the beginning of 1956, Pichon-Parat unveiled a design concept based on the unibody chassis of a Lancia Aurelia B20 GT. This two-door berlinette featured a front fascia with four headlamps that elicited mixed reactions from critics.
Talbot-Lago
To aid in revitalizing the struggling Talbot-Lago marque, Antonio Lago commissioned new barquette bodies for competition at Le Mans. For the 1956 event, two cars were constructed on Talbot-Lago T14 LS chassis powered by Maserati inline six-cylinder engines derived from the Maserati 250F, with an undisclosed displacement. Pichon-Parat was responsible for crafting the bodywork.
These two barquettes competed at Le Mans in 1956 with driver pairings Louis Rosier/Jean Behra and Geoffredo Zehender/Jean Lucas, but neither vehicle completed the race. In the following year, entries included Franco Bordoni teamed with Georges Burggraff and Bruce Halford paired with Bordoni; one car failed to start while the other retired due to gearbox failure.
Racer George Grignard acquired an assortment of Talbot-Lago components—including six T14 chassis, bodies, and parts intended for BMW V8-powered America models. In 1979, Dominique Dupont purchased this collection and constructed one Le Mans 2500 replica for personal use while selling five chassis for completion by others. These creations became known as Dupont Barquettes.
Simca Aronde
In 1956, Pichon-Parat presented a coupé derived from the Simca Aronde platform at the Paris Motor Show, distinguished by its panoramic windshield and concave rear design. This vehicle was featured on the cover of l'Automobile magazine in December of the same year. Despite its innovation, the project did not receive backing from Simca, which instead introduced the Facel Metallon-built "Plein Ciel" model later on. The prototype displayed at the show was reportedly lost in an accident.
BMW 507
Following their 1956 presentations of a 4CV-based cabriolet and an Aronde-based coupé, Raymond Loewy engaged Pichon-Parat to craft a custom body for a V8-powered BMW 507, chassis number 70.024. This bespoke two-seater coupé incorporated stylistic cues that anticipated Loewy’s future designs, including those seen on the Studebaker Avanti.
Peugeot 403
At the 1957 Paris Salon de l'Auto, Pichon-Parat unveiled a modified Peugeot 403 coupé featuring a lowered roofline alongside panoramic front and rear glass panels. The elimination of structural B pillars led to increased chassis flex, which caused difficulties with side door operation. This vehicle was dismantled following the exhibition.
Pichon-Parat Pipat-kart
During his stay in the United States, Pichon encountered Kart racing, a sport then unfamiliar in France, and subsequently introduced it domestically. The inaugural Pichon-Parat kart emerged in 1957, equipped with a tubular steel frame, Vespa wheels, and powered by a chainsaw engine. Rapid advancements followed, with later versions utilizing two-stroke engines sourced from tillers or motorcycles. These Pipat-karts were marketed throughout France, available either as complete units or without engines.
Panhard Dyna Z
In 1953, Pichon-Parat developed a coupé variant based on the Panhard Dyna Z sedan.
Additionally, the company engineered an estate conversion for the Dyna Z, first launched in 1956 and refined until 1958, which incorporated a rear section and tailgate adapted from the Peugeot 403 Familiale.
At the 1958 Paris Auto Show, Pichon-Parat revealed a Panhard Dyna convertible dubbed "Bordeaux," characterized by covered headlamps and a full-width mesh grille that gracefully arched over an artistic air intake. This model was created in partnership with Bordeaux coachbuilder Vivez. Designed by Bernard Pichon, plans were made for Vivez to produce ten units under license.
Cadillac Coupe de Ville
In 1959, Pichon-Parat collaborated with Raymond Loewy on customizing a Cadillac Coupe de Ville (VIN 59J088977). After Loewy outlined his design alterations during a weekend retreat by sketching directly onto paper-wrapped body panels, Pichon-Parat executed these modifications within several weeks. The completed Cadillac premiered at the 1959 Paris Auto Show before serving as Loewy’s family car in Europe; it eventually returned to California and was sold by Loewy in 1970.
Vespa 400
Also in 1959, Pichon-Parat introduced the Vespa 400 Esterel, a small beach vehicle with an estimated production run of six or seven examples.
Equipped with a rear-mounted two-stroke engine delivering , it featured fully independent suspension and upholstery crafted from water-resistant rattan or plastic materials. A detachable canopy offered protection from sunlight.
Cabriolet Pichon-Parat Tigre
At the 1960 Paris Motor Show, Pichon-Parat unveiled a compact cabriolet derived from the Panhard PL 17, constructed on the shortened chassis of the Tigre Z Sports. This model was initially incomplete, lacking both an engine and electrical components, and remained in this state at the factory for three decades until an enthusiast acquired it and equipped it with a Panhard Tigre powerplant.
Oldsmobile 98
Commissioned by Robert Dhéry, Pichon-Parat crafted a bespoke 1959 Oldsmobile 98 convertible to serve as the lead car in the 1961 film La Belle Américaine. Although referred to as a "Cadillac" within the movie, the automobile featured extensively modified body panels and incorporated various specialized devices designed specifically for cinematic purposes.
Citroën DS/ID
In late 1964, Pichon-Parat introduced a DS model featuring a quad headlamp conversion—preceding Citroën’s official version by three years—by altering the front fenders to accommodate Cibié headlamp units sourced from the Panhard 24. This modification required only one day to complete, with approximately 300 examples produced.
Building upon this innovation, in 1965 the company developed a short wheelbase DS/ID coupé incorporating this new front design. While sales were modest, Citroën’s competition division later commissioned Pichon-Parat to manufacture shortened two-door DS variants for racing applications. The coachbuilder also experimented with a shortened ID chassis powered by a Panhard flat-twin engine; however, the launch of Panhard’s 24CT model curtailed this development opportunity.
Studebaker
Following the acclaim of Raymond Loewy’s Avanti coupé, Studebaker engaged his firm to design new four-door models. Designers John Ebstein and Bob Andrews visited France and presented two concepts within six weeks: a notchback and a fastback. Both prototypes received approval on April 12, 1962, with production of the fastback scheduled for October.
Pichon-Parat fabricated the bodies using standard Studebaker chassis, drivetrain, and running gear. The vehicles were initially displayed at Studebaker’s South Bend, Indiana plant before being moved to Youngstown, Ohio. Their location became unknown until they were rediscovered in 2010.
Jaguar E-Type
Pichon-Parat undertook modifications on at least two Jaguar E-Type coupés. The first was a 1966 Jaguar 4.2 Litre Series 1 (chassis no. 1E30635), which became Raymond Loewy’s personal car. Beginning in 1965, Pichon-Parat shortened the front end by 25 cm and the rear by 12 cm, introduced quad headlamps, enlarged the oval grille, replaced the original taillights with recessed units sourced from the Chevrolet Corvair, and added a transparent spoiler along the rear roofline.
The second E-Type featured an elongated nose extended by 97 cm and was showcased in the 1968 film Le Petit Baigneur.
Matra MS620
Matra launched their inaugural Group 6 racing sports car in 1966 with the Matra MS620. It was powered by a 1.9-litre BRM V8 engine delivering at 9,000 rpm. The tubular steel frame was engineered by Bernard Boyer, formerly affiliated with Alpine, while Pichon-Parat provided berlinette-style bodywork. A total of four units were constructed.
The MS620 made its debut during the 1966 Le Mans test session, secured victory at Magny-Cours, and finished second at the Coup-de-Paris event. Its last competitive outing occurred at the 1967 Le Mans test.
Ligier JS2
The French entrepreneur and racing driver Guy Ligier established Ligier Automobiles to bring to life the automobile concept he had developed alongside his late associate, Jo Schlesser. Following the creation of the two-seat, mid-engine Ligier JS1, which was designed by Pietro Frua, the JS2 was introduced featuring a Maserati-sourced DOHC V6 engine, also utilized in the Citroën SM. The design of the JS2 was refined by Pichon-Parat, who modified Frua's original styling by updating the front end, luggage area, and rear lights to accommodate the Maserati powerplant.
Peugeot 604
In 1977, Pichon-Parat crafted an exceptionally rare station wagon version of the Peugeot 604; only two units were produced, with one known to have been driven by Bernard Consten.
BMW 1800/2000
Following the establishment of its facility in Brumath near Strasbourg, Pichon-Parat was commissioned by BMW to create exclusive estate conversions based on the BMW 1800 and 2000 models. These bespoke wagons were priced at approximately double the cost of a Peugeot 404 Super Luxe estate, which resulted in limited market demand.
Other conversions
Throughout the 1980s, Pichon-Parat continued to provide estate conversion services for various models, including the Renault 30 TS and the BMW 7 Series.