Cottin-Desgouttes were one of the better makes of car built in Lyon, a city which had a stronger tradition of quality engineering than Paris.
Their first cars were known simply as Desgouttes, and production began in 1904 with a 9500 cc six, the 45 bhp Type A.
Only two of these were built, and the company came to a wider notice at the 1905 Paris Salon, with a range marketed through le sportsman bien connu Fraignac.
The four-cylinder series was current from 1906 to 1914, and consisted of two models with 3770 cc power units, and two longer-stroke derivatives of 4398 cc and 5027 cc respectively, the latter also available in sporting guise.
A 50 hp four of 8620 cc and a 45/70 hp of 10,619 cc were built in small numbers from 1908 to 1910. A four-cylinder version was built up to 1915, along with updated developments of the 1906 four-cylinder models.
After the war, Cottin-Desgouttes did not recommence manufacture until 1921 with the Type K, derived from the Type DF of 1912-1915. This 14/16CV model of 3216 cc was quickly followed by longer-stroke 18/20CV (4072 cc) and 23/25CV (5026cc) derivatives.
In 1924, Cottin-Desgouttes announced a new range with pushrod, overhead-valve power units of 2614 cc, as well as the famous 2987 cc three-valves-per-cylinder model. The latter appeared in racing guise for the Grand Prix du Tourisme, and its success ensured the appearance of a production version of the Grand Prix model.
The 1926 2614 cc ‘Sans Secousses’ model boasted independent suspension all round.
The last Cottin-Desgouttes was an entirely conventional 3813 cc side-valve six: having always made luxury cars, Cottin-Desgouttes soon succumbed to the Depression.
1926 COTTIN-DESGOUTTES SANS SECOUSSE Engine: in-line four cylinder, overhead valve Bore × stroke: 80mm × 130 mm Capacity: 2614 cc Maximum power: not known Transmission: four-speed manual Chassis: pressed steel channel Suspension: independent all round with sliding king pins and transverse leaf spring front and four transverse leaf springs rear Brakes: drums all round, hydraulically operated Bodywork: tourer Maximum speed (approx): not known |
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From "Automobile Encyclopedia" (Gründ), page 400
