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1938 Peugeot 402 Darlmat Pourtout

The Peugeot distribution agency created by Émile Darl'Mat in Paris would become one of the world's largest, and during the 1930s, the firm gained prominence for its exclusive series of streamlined roadsters, coupes and cabriolets.

1938 Peugeot 402 Darlmat Pourtout photo
Racing Roadster by Pourtout
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The designs created for Darl'Mat reflected his passion for speed and motorsports, a legacy that Peugeot had fostered before switching to pedestrian models. Peugeot had built many successful Grand Prix cars prior to World War I, with accolades that included a victory at the 1916 Indianapolis 500. Privateer André Boillot drove Peugeots to victory at the 1919 Targa Florio, the 1922 and 1925 Coppa Florio, the 1923 and 1925 Touring Car Grand Prix, and the 1926 24 Hours of Spa.

The automobiles built by Darl'Mat helped restore Peugeot's pedigree with three examples finishing in the top 10 overall in the 1937 24 Hours of Le Mans (7th, 8th, and 10th). One of the three aluminum-bodied cars won its class at the 1938 LeMans race.

Emile Darl'Mat had spent four years in an apprenticeship with aviation pioneer Clément Ader, later traveling to the United States where he worked as a chauffeur. When he returned to Paris, he established a small garage repairing and selling automobiles. He became a licensed Panhard and Peugeot dealer, and by the early 1930s, he exclusively sold Peugeots. With assistance from Marcel Pourtout and Georges Paulin, Darl'Mat displayed an automobile at the Salon de l'Automobile in 1927. This was followed by an aerodynamically styled vehicle built atop the Peugeot 301 chassis and displayed at the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago. Another concept on the Peugeot 302 series that made its debut years later was the Eclipse retracting roof system designed by Paulin.

Georges Paulin, who's early profession was dentistry, had gained prominence in the automotive community by developing and patenting an automatic retractable metal roof mechanism, predating the Ford Skyliner of the late-1950s. Known as the Eclipse Series, they were among the most mechanically sophisticated and complex vehicles of the Art Deco era. Before the outbreak of World War II, Paulin and Pourtout would produce low convertible coupe Eclipse versions on the Peugeot 301, 401, 601, 302 and 402, models from Hotchkiss and Panhard, and the Lancia Belna. Additionally, Paulin created designs for a number of significant manufacturers during his brief career, including the famous 'Embiricos' Bentley that raced at LeMans. Working as chief designer / stylist for Pourtout, designs were created for Bentley, Delage, Talbot-Lago, Panhard, Lancia, and Unic.

Peugeot management was impressed with the passion and creations of Darl'mat, and eventually gave him access to resources and materials to create his own Peugeot sports car. With the help of Peugeot's director of mechanical studies, Alfred Geauque, and his longtime collaborators Paulin and Pourtout, Darl'mat created the Special Sport. The prototype was displayed at the Paris Motor Show in 1936 and eventually, 104 examples were built between January 1937 and June 1938 (53 roadsters, 32 cabriolets, and 20 coupes).

The Peugeot 302 chassis had a 113.4-inch wheelbase and were 61.8 inches wide. The Peugeot 402 légère (light) chassis had a 113-inch wheelbase, a 124-inch 'normal' platform, and a 131-inch longue (long) version. It stood 62.2 inches tall and 64.6 inches wide. Styling of the Peugeot 302 and 402 Légère was virtually indistinguishable.

The 1,991cc four-cylinder overhead camshaft engine powering the Darl'Mat-built Peugeots produced approximately 70 horsepower, with later-built examples receiving the 402B designation and powered by a 2,142cc unit. The Cotal four-speed electro-mechanical gearbox could be operated via a selector lever positioned directly behind the steering wheel. Cable-operated drums provided braking. Suspension in the front was independent with transverse, semi-elliptical springs and hydraulic shocks. The rear suspension was similar, but with a live axle.

The Paulin-designed bodies were built by Pourtout from pieces of sheet aluminum hand-shaped and nailed to wooden structures of ash framing before being fitted to the chassis. The styling was aerodynamically efficient, resulting in higher top speeds and better fuel economy. The crank-down windscreen feature was patented by Georges Paulin, and the bodies had flowing lines, teardrop-winged shapes, a vestigial boat-tail rear end, medallion-shaped hood side vents, heart-shaped rear license plate housing, and a gently sloping grille.

Production was brief - lasting eighteen months, though its short wheelbase chassis would live on in the 402 Légère.


by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2022

Related Reading : Peugeot 402 History

With a rich history of technical innovation, Peugeots 402 cars have become some of the most respected Peugeots that France ever produced. But even more impressive than the cars themselves were the people behind the curvaceous vehicles. World War II was swinging closer when the 402 was released in 1935, and by the end of the cars production run in 1940 the world had already fallen into one of the....
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1938 Peugeot 402 Darlmat Pourtout Vehicle Profiles

1938 Peugeot 402 Darlmat Pourtout vehicle information
Special Coupe

Coachwork: Pourtout
Designer: Georges Paulin
Chassis #: 705536
1938 Peugeot 402 Darlmat Pourtout vehicle information
Roadster

Designer: Georges Paulin
Chassis #: 400215
1938 Peugeot 402 Darlmat Pourtout vehicle information
Roadster

Designer: Georges Paulin
Chassis #: 400248
Engine #: 400243
1938 Peugeot 402 Darlmat Pourtout vehicle information
Racing Roadster

Coachwork: Pourtout
Designer: Georges Paulin
1938 Peugeot 402 Darlmat Pourtout vehicle information
Roadster

Designer: Georges Paulin
Chassis #: 400247

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

402 Darl'mat Special Sport Roadsters

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
4 cyl., 122.05 CID., 70.00hp
116.00 in.
4 cyl., 122.05 CID., 70.00hp
113.39 in.
4 cyl., 121.50 CID., 70.00hp

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