Lot 202 - 1929 Hotchkiss AM80 3 Litre Monaco
| Lot Number | 202 |
| Registration | BF 8610 |
| Chassis Number | 18883 |
| Engine Number | 2079 |
| Result | Sold - £21,250 |
- Believed to be the only Hotchkiss AM80 Six-Cylinder 3.0 litre Monaco in the UK
- An older restoration in good order throughout
- Extensive engine rebuild in 2019
After an initial attempt to enter the luxury motor car market, which did not get beyond the prototype stage, Hotchkiss decided on a one model policy and introduced the Coventry designed AM in 1923. Prior to 1929 the company continued with a one model policy until the introduction of the six-cylinder AM73 and AM80 models were announced. ‘73’ and ‘80’ stood for the bore of the engines used, a naming theme picked up again later in 1936 after a brief hiatus.
WB of Motorsport Magazine said, ‘I think it is safe to say that the Hotchkiss Company was one of those manu-facturers who never made a bad car, or at least very few of them. Certainly in the post-vintage years Hotch-kiss advocates you could sit in their 100mph Paris-Nice saloons feeling in no way inferior to their neighbours who had invested in Bentley’s new ‘Silent Sports Car’.
This Hotchkiss AM 80 Monaco was imported into the UK from the Netherlands in April 2018 and is believed to have been restored in France in the late 1970’s or early 80’s. It is understood the owner in Holland didn’t use the car a great deal, initially using it to drive to the annual village fete and back once or twice a year.
Presented in good order throughout the bodywork is solid and retains a nice patina from its earlier restoration. The doors shut beautifully with a click, while the interior is presented in very good order. The beige cloth seats are very good and the solid wood window capping and clean headlining making it a very comfortable mode of transport. The boot is sound and waterproofed and has been adapted to carry various tools (which will be included in the sale). The current vendor has recommissioned and maintained the Hotchkiss wherever necessary and as such it is in very good condition. Notable work included a new clutch, and a reconditioned braking system. It has also been rewired and a new battery mounted under the rear floor along with a battery master switch and modern high-torque starter motor. In 2019 the engine was rebuilt with a set of stronger con-rods, pistons, new oil pump gears, valves ground, etc. Offered with a history file containing a collection of handbooks and brochures, sundry invoices, and the UK Registration document this well sorted example drives very well indeed and sounds fantastic when on song.
Interested parties should satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each Lot prior to the sale. Accordingly, buyers are on notice that each vehicle is offered ‘as is/as seen’ subject to the Terms and Conditions for the auction. All registration numbers, engine and chassis details are sourced from registration documents provided to Historics by the client or representative or HPI checks and buyers are to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of these details. Buyers are advised to inspect the vehicle in person or use a professional to carry out this service. Historics will not entertain disputes over descriptions.