Grégoire 12/14-hp Coupé De Voyage

The copper plate in the windshield is one of the most striking features of this car. It can be removed to give the driver a (somewhat) better view in the rain.

The copper plate in the windscreen is one of the most striking features of the Gregoire 12/14 HP Coupe de Voyage. It can be removed to give the driver a (somewhat) better view in the rain. There is no hand operated windscreen wiper, and electric ones do not yet exist. However, the car is equipped with electric lighting, something that was probably used for the first time by the marque Gregoire. The bodywork, built by Alin & Liautard from Courbevoie, is fairly conservative for its time and is reminiscent of a stagecoach. It is a touring coupe; behind the driver there is a small luggage rack with an elegant wooden railing, and the passenger seat is set a little further back to create more legroom. There is also a small footrest for the passenger. Gregoire, from Poissy in France, built mainly small, fast cars from 1903 to 1924. Larger models were offered later as well. Gregoire shows many contradictions in its products. For example, on the one hand cars were tested in wind tunnels for aerodynamics, while on the other hand very old fashioned looking bodies were still being built. The car present here is a very unique model. In addition, it is one of the few remaining Gregoires.