Description
In the mid-1960s, as French motorsport was still seeking its identity in the face of the great European nations, a car entirely apart was born: the Duchène Ford-Lotus. A unique prototype, it embodies an era when passion, ingenuity and freedom of creation allowed a few men to give birth to cars of remarkable technical quality, outside any industrial framework.
At the origin of the project is Maurice Duchène, a talented driver and owner-manager in precision mechanical engineering based in Bourgoin-Jallieu. Formerly at Matra, he decided to create his own uncompromising competition sports racer, surrounding himself with Jacques Hubert, a leading engineer from the René-Bonnet design office and later Matra. Together, they built on a project abandoned by Matra, the 610 coupé “Napoleon”, to design a lightweight, high-performance sports racer perfectly suited to hill climbs and rallies.
The car rests on a sophisticated tubular chassis, reinforced by a central beam, offering exceptional rigidity for a handcrafted construction. The Ford Cortina-Lotus 1600 cm³ engine, mounted in a rear-mid position, is fed by two twin-choke carburettors and develops about 120 horsepower, and can reach up to 180 hp depending on its state of preparation. The rear suspension, directly derived from Matra prototypes, the Matra Formula 2 wheels, the Renault gearbox and many magnesium components testify to a level of design and finish well above the usual standards of the era for a car built as a one-off.
A rare fact for a sports racer of this calibre, the Duchène Ford-Lotus is road-registered, which allows Maurice Duchène to campaign it both in hill climbs and rallies. It quickly distinguished itself with several top performances, notably two scratch wins at the Gua and Crémieu hill climbs. Intensively used at the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s, it evolves over time, aerodynamically and regulatory-wise, while preserving its original architecture.
After a period of abandonment, the car was saved in the 1970s by Gilles Machette, who undertook a complete and meticulous restoration. Restored after more than five years of work, the sports racer returned to competition between 1980 and 1990, taking part in numerous historic hill climbs and slaloms. Its unique character, performance and aesthetics then attracted attention in all the paddocks.
The most recent restoration, undertaken by its current owner, marks the third life of this extraordinary automobile. Carried out with deep respect for authenticity, it nevertheless accompanies discreet improvements aimed at reliability and safety: modern adjustable shock absorbers, a complete overhaul of the running gear, brakes adapted to road use and to event-day operation.
Today, the Duchène Ford-Lotus represents much more than an isolated prototype. It is a rare testament to the golden age of French artisan-builders, an essential link between René-Bonnet, the early Matra and the spirit that would give birth, a few years later, to the great French competition prototypes.
A unique prototype, with a documented history, associated with major figures at Matra and in French motorsport, it constitutes an exceptional opportunity for any collector seeking an authentic, high-performing and historically fascinating automobile.
