Miguel Sánchez
Peugeot's history is one of the longest in the entire vast European automotive field. Not surprisingly, this company was founded almost two hundred years ago. Encompassing activities as disparate as the manufacture of coffee grinders or the production of bicycles. Intermixing all this with one of the greatest automobile productions of the XNUMXth century. Alternating massive models with some competition legends like the 205 T16 from Group B or the 905 from Le Mans. Thus, although today it may be difficult to believe, the truth is that Peugeot exhibited just before the Second World War one of the most popular and solvent high ranges among all Europeans.
Obviously far below the exquisite Rolls-Royce, Hispano-Suiza or Isotta Fraschini of the moment. Although at the same time significantly above the general ranges offered by their compatriots Renault or Citroën. In this way, until the mid-401s, Peugeot offered the spacious 601 and XNUMX. Two not very iconic models, but at the same time quite efficient in terms of space and cruising speed. Also, both were replaced in 1935 by the 402. A design clearly influenced by the streamline aerodynamics recently arrived from the United States. Thus evidencing to what extent Peugeot knew how to combine its character as a generalist manufacturer with allowing itself to experiment and innovate in the highest areas of its range.
In fact, in that same 1935 he premiered the versions Eclipse. Offered in both the later 601 and all 402 series, these featured the retractable hardtop for the first time. Quite an innovation for the time, being recovered for the great series by the Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner in 1957. In addition, the Peugeot recovered this type of roof in 1999 to inaugurate its current CC Coupé Cabriolet saga. With all this, it would be difficult to present the Peugeot of the 24s as an uncreative company. However, the truth is that some of the prestige gained in competition during the 1926s and XNUMXs had been lost. Having even won the XNUMX Hours of Spa in XNUMX.
Thus, from 1936 until the months prior to the outbreak of World War II, Peugeot collaborated officially with the coachbuilder Portout for the Darl'mat versions. Definitely, the most stylish and high-performing of all the Peugeot models born during the XNUMXs. That is, the most sporting until, already in the eighties, the lion's house focused again on competition with the help and direction of Jean Todt.
FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO THE COMMERCIAL COMPANY
Nowadays, each and every one of the automobile companies has outlined commercial departments. Thanks to them, not only advertising campaigns are devised. But numerous market studies are also carried out with which determine if any possible model could achieve a profitable business niche. However, decades ago this was not the case. In this way, communication between the dealers and the factory was essential when sounding out the potential public.
In that sense, one of the best examples is the biography of Max Hoffman. The Austrian emigrated to New York who rose as one of the largest importers of European vehicles to the United States. But not only that. Endowed with an excellent commercial instinct, his analyzes were behind the birth of models such as the BMW 507, the Mercedes 300SL or the Porsche 356 Speedster. All this thanks to an unusual ability to read where the needs and tastes of the sports market were going to go. Just in the same way and manner that Lee Iacocca knew how to interpret the demands of mass motorsport.
Well, in the late XNUMXs, distributor Emilie Darl'mat showed similar skills. After all, in addition to trading Panhard models, her workshop in Paris also sold the entire Peugeot range. In fact, at the beginning of the thirties she focused only on it, making a bet that was as particular as it was a priori risky. neither more nor less than mount performance and aerodynamic versions of the popular 301. Thus, in 1933 he presented one of these vehicles covered by Pourtout at the Paris Motor Show. The coach house where Georges Paulin worked. Precisely the one responsible for the interesting Eclipse versions mentioned above.
PEUGEOT 402 DARL'MAT, A CHARMING PRE-WAR MODEL
A generalist brand can rarely afford to do small exclusive series. And it is logical. After all, they require craft production that does not fit with the large numbers and pace of chain production. In other words. It is almost impossible for a massive company to adapt to the small scale imposed by the dominating craftsmanship of high-end, short-run models. Nevertheless, what is easier is to collaborate with a trainer or bodybuilder in which the assembly of these exclusive models is outsourced.
An example of this is what both Renault and FIAT did with Alpine and Abarth respectively. At least until they ended up being absorbed in the XNUMXs. In a similar way, Peugeot officially began supplying chassis and mechanics to Emilie Darl'mat and her consortium with the coachbuilder Pourtout from 1936. In the first place, the chassis were those of the 302. But later, this activity focused on a version of the frame of the 402 somewhat shortened in its wheelbase. Thus, for 1938 serial production of the Peugeot 402 Darl'mat Special began.
Wide, short and light, the Peugeot 402 Darl'mat Special was built in both open and closed versions. That yes, always under the indications of Georges Paulin. Who signed what is possibly his best design here before being shot in 1942 by Nazi troops. Proof of this are its excellent aerodynamic lines, combined with exquisite details out of the Art Deco fashion. With an estimated production of around 105 units, the Peugeot 402 Darl'mat Special had the 1.750 cubic centimeter engine block taken from the large-series model.
A propellant that allowed the entry of three units in Le Mans 1938 by the dealer Darl'mat. One more interesting fact. Well, this model managed to win the two-liter class, also being fifth in the general classification. In this way, the Peugeot 402 Darl'mat Special did not go down in history just as a beautiful model. But also as an effective racing car that, for a moment, allowed the house of the lion to return to the most privileged positions in European racing. Without a doubt, a truly exceptional pre-war classic. Of which RM Sotheby's will auction the unit with which we have illustrated this article next August in Monterey, California.
Photographs: RM Sotheby's
