Tracta
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1926 |
| Founder | Jean-Albert Grégoire |
| Defunct | 1934 |
| Headquarters | Asnières , France |
| Products | Automobiles |
Tracta was a French car manufacturer located in Asnières, Seine, operating between 1926 and 1934. The company was among the early adopters of front-wheel-drive technology.
The company
Under the leadership of engineer Jean-Albert Grégoire, who was also responsible for the vehicle designs, Tracta secured financial support from Pierre Fenaille.
The vehicles
Originally focusing on limited production for motorsport events, Tracta showcased street-legal models at the 1927 Paris Motor Show. Their automobiles incorporated Grégoire’s patented front-wheel-drive mechanism, utilizing a Tracta constant-velocity joint combined with sliding pillar independent front suspension, complemented by a live rear axle mounted on quarter-elliptic leaf springs. Engine options ranged from 1100 to 1600 cc supplied by S.C.A.P., with Cozette superchargers available as an upgrade; the 1500 cc variant was capable of reaching speeds up to 80 mph.
Manufacturing began in Versailles but was soon relocated to a facility in Asnières, where approximately 140 units were produced before the company transitioned to larger six-cylinder powerplants sourced from Continental Motors Company (2.7-litre) and Automobiles Hotchkiss (3- and 3.3-litre) for their coupé and saloon offerings.
Notable models comprised:
- Tracta Type A
- Tracta Type A Gephi
- Tracta Type E
- Tracta Type D2 Sport
- Tracta Spéciale
1927
Tracta made its Le Mans debut in 1927 with two Type A Gephi entries. Car number 19 was unable to start due to an accident during transit, while car number 20 completed the race in seventh place.
1928
The following year featured three entries: two Type As, one of which was driven by Grégoire himself, alongside a single Type A Gephi. All vehicles finished but were positioned far down the rankings.
1929
In 1929, four cars represented Tracta: three supercharged Type As and one Spéciale equipped with an experimental two-stroke engine developed by engineer Cozette. Only two cars reached the finish line; the two-stroke Spéciale retired after completing 43 laps.
1930
Two Type As competed in the 1930 race, securing eighth and ninth places overall.
Closure
Due to an inability to generate profits from automobile production, Tracta halted manufacturing activities in 1934. Grégoire retained ownership of the Asnières factory for his personal engineering endeavors and later utilized it during the mid-1950s for developing the chassis and engine of his "Sports Cabriolet," following his departure from Hotchkiss after disagreements over the technically innovative yet commercially unsuccessful Hotchkiss Grégoire.
Legacy
In 1955, Grégoire unveiled a Sports Cabriolet prototype featuring a body crafted by Chapron, front-wheel drive, and a supercharged 2188 cc overhead valve boxer engine positioned ahead of the front axle. Only four examples were produced. This model was mechanically based on the Hotchkiss Grégoire developed in the late 1940s and sported an elegant two-door Chapron design.
While it remains uncertain whether Grégoire planned mass production of these Sports Cabriolets, they exemplified his engineering principles and expertise. Known as the Grégoire Sports Cabriolet, two units were displayed at the 1956 Paris Motor Show—one presented on Chapron’s stand and another labeled "Grégoire (Tracta)" at a separate location. With a price tag of 3,500,000 francs, it was considerably more expensive than contemporaries such as the Facel Vega FV. Throughout this period, Grégoire maintained ownership of the Tracta trademark.