1937 Peugeot 402 Darl Mat Roadster

Combined with a tuned two-litre overhead-valve four cylinder engine with dual carburetors and a stout Cotal four-speed pre-selector gearbox, the Darl'mat was a remarkable performer on road and track alike. Competition versions, remarkably similar to their road-going stable-mates were very successful. They competed at LeMans in 1937 and 1938, achieving a sterling class victory in the latter year.

1935 saw the introduction of the 402 at the Paris Show in October. It marked a turning point in the history of the Peugeot brand, which was ahead of all its French competitors in introducing aerodynamic bodies as standard. This is the famous 'Sochaux rocket' range, characterized by fluid lines and a shield-shaped grill to protect the headlights.

A total of 105 Peugeot 402 Darl'mat models crafted on the 402 chassis. It is believed that 53 were roadsters, 32 cabriolets, and 20 coupes. They were upgraded at Darl'mat's shop with Cotal four-speed electro-mechanical gearboxes, before being shipped to Pourtout and fitted with the Paulin-designed bodies, formed from pieces of sheet aluminum hand-shaped and then nailed to wooden structures of ash framing that were then attached to the chassis.

Three Darl'mats finished in the top 10 overall at the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1937. Approximately 30 still survive today. This 1938 roadster has been faithfully restored. It is equipped with a crank-down windscreen, which was patented by Georges Paulin. Similar to the 1937 Le Mans cars, it is powered by a four-cylinder engine with unique tuning advances developed by Emile Darl'mat.

This 1938 Darl'mat roadster, based on the 402 Legere (light) chassis has known history dating back to the 1960s. During the 1970s this car went from Switzerland to the United States and participated in the 2000 edition of the Monterey Historic Races. With a known history and having been in the hands of noted collectors, this Peugeot is a marvelous example of French styling, racing, and beauty.