As was so often the case with independently built sports cars of the day, the Piollet 315 was the vision of one man - Jacques Piollet. Piollet has always been fiercely passionate about cars, and he experimented with building karts and cars from an early age. It was during his military service in Algeria that he designed the Rakish Grand Touring Coupe which you can see here. Of course, on his return to France, he spent five years - from 1961 to 1965 - to realize his vision in a barn in Auvergne. It was an exercise in will and perseverance, and when he finally exhibited his prototype at the 53rd Paris Motor Show in 1965, he proved to be the darling of the French press.
The number 315 does not designate anything specific about the car as such, but rather the sum of the years that Piollet spent designing and building it. A quick peek at vintage Grand Touring sports cars from Ferrari, Maserati and others and it's easy to see where the inspiration was drawn for the sleek and sexy fiberglass bodywork. Underneath, the 315 comprises a then innovative tubular chassis and mainly Peugeot mechanics - an engine, drive shaft and gearbox from the 404, and a front axle from the 403, for example. Sadly, it's not clear why no other examples have been produced, but we can only imagine the thrill and exhilaration of Piollet driving his own sports car around Paris for everyone to see. Well done, Jacques.
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