Enthusiastic Hotchkiss owners gathered on the French Riviera this week to mark 80 years since the cars were driven to three consecutive wins on the Monte-Carlo Rally. The marque also took victory on the all-female Rally Paris-Saint-Raphael as well as the Paris-Nice in 1934, making the anniversary even more poignant.
The Automobile Club de Nice Cote d'Azur was responsible for welcoming 80 Hotchkiss enthusiasts to the Promenade des Anglais in Nice on 31 May, but not before travelling from Magny-Cours to Vichy, Orange and Le Cannet des Maures.
The convoy was greeted by the club president of Hotchkiss Grand Sud, Claude Alquier, who organised an impromptu open-air museum dedicated to the near-forgotten manufacturer. While the cars were on display for the public to enjoy, the crews of the cars tucked into pan-bagnats – a local delicacy roughly translated as 'salad sandwiches'.
Christian Proud-Diaz, president of the Automobile Club de Nice said: "Our club organised the legendary Paris-Nice Rally of 1934, which was won by a Hotchkiss 80 years ago. We are proud to welcome the brave crews who made the journey across France to pay tribute to the rally."
