Vehicle Description
The American-born designer and engineer Howard "Dutch" Darrin began
his storied career in the coachbuilding industry shortly after
World War I. While serving in France as a pilot for the US
military, he met fellow designer Tom Hibbard. Hibbard previously
worked for Brewster before leaving to form Le Baron Carrossieres
alongside Ray Dietrich - more accurately, the pair got sacked for
moonlighting on company time! Hibbard had been in France exploring
opportunities to sell and produce Le Baron designs when he met
Howard Darrin in 1923. The two men stayed in Paris, forming the
design firm Hibbard & Darrin and creating some truly spectacular
bodies for many of Europe's finest motorcars. Darrin's technical
knowledge proved handy in the development of a new type of alloy
casting technique specifically for car bodies, intended to replace
squeaky and temperamental wood joints in critical structural
points.In the wake of the stock market crash, Tom Hibbard took a
job as a deputy to Harley Earl at GM's new Art & Colour Section in
1931, while Darrin remained in Paris. He partnered with a wealthy
South American-born banker named J. Fernandez, whose interests
included fine furniture and custom car bodies. The partnership was
ideal for Darrin, as Fernandez acted primarily as the money man,
leaving the designer free to create his sophisticated and
flamboyant visions with little oversight. As before, the bodies
built by Fernandez & Darrin sat atop the world's finest
automobiles, including Rolls-Royce, Hispano-Suiza, Delage, Packard,
and Duesenberg. It was one of Darrin's most fruitful periods, and
he amassed a vast portfolio of breathtaking designs. Common threads
among Fernandez et Darrin bodies included an emphasis on "lowness"
with masterfully graceful lines and a sense of effortless motion in
every curve. Fernandez and Darrin's partnership may have lasted
only five years, but the American's brilliance shone brightly
during this brief yet fertile period in his storied career.One of
the most striking designs born of the Fernandez et Darrin era is
this breathtaking four-passenger cabriolet atop the Delage D8 SS -
one of the finest sporting chassis of the period. The 'SS' was not
an official factory offering, but rather product of the UK importer
J. Smith. To appeal to spirited British drivers, Smith improved the
standard D8S by fitting a quartet of SU carburetors on a custom
intake manifold, fitting a 3.60:1 rear axle, and bumping
compression to 7.5:1. The modifications made the SS a true 100mph
automobile, particularly when fitted with svelte coachwork such as
this stunning close-coupled drophead coupe. This car is believed to
be one of two examples bodied by Fernandez et Darrin to this
specification, though the two cars differ in detail. Chassis 38236
is a coveted SS model, making it fair to assume this car was
delivered new to the UK, though little else is known of the early
history. It has been in continuous private ownership since 2005,
when the current owner acquired it directly from the renowned
collector Otis Chandler. While boasting similar lines and
proportion to its sister car, chassis 38236 is unique with its
'swept panel' design with beautifully flowing fenders thanks to the
spare mounted to the metal touring trunk. The radiator is topped
with a magnificent Victoire mascot by Rene Lalique, and its lack of
bumpers, color-matched wheel discs, and Marchal lamps accentuate
the sporting purpose. Finished in a distinctive burgundy and beige
color scheme, 38236 wears an older but well-preserved restoration.
The interior is trimmed in swaths of tan leather, including, rather
unusually, the entirety of the four-spoke steering wheel.
Instrumentation consists of Jaeger dials, and a center-mounted
shift-lever operates the conventional gearbox for the ultimate in
pre-war sporting motoring. In the past two decades in current
stewardship, the car has been largely on static display and rarely
shown publicly. It has been serviced in preparation for sale and
will benefit from further recommissioning prior to touring.
Marrying the finest Fernandez et Darrin coachwork and Delage's
sublime D8 chassis, 38236 represents an exceptional opportunity to
acquire a stunning and elegant coachbuilt French grand routier for
your collection, with the chance to reintroduce it to the world,
where it will undoubtedly be much admired by all who see it. Offers
Welcome, Trades Considered For additional details please view this
listing directly on our website
