Jacques Saoutchik, Maître Carrossier
1948 Talbot-Lago Grand Sport Chassis 110101
Peter M. Larsen and Ben Erickson

Jacques Saoutchik, Maître Carrossier: 1948 Talbot-Lago Grand Sport Chassis 110101 by Peter M. Larsen and Ben Erickson
 
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Jacques Saoutchik, Maître Carrossier: 1948 Talbot-Lago Grand Sport, Chassis 110101

by Peter M. Larsen and Ben Erickson


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1948 Talbot-Lago Grand Sport Chassis 110101
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The 1948 Salon de l’Automobile: A Star is Born


On October 7, 1948, when the Paris Salon de l’Automobile opened its doors in the Grand Palais just off the Champs-Élysées, it was to a world of postwar austerity. Yet despite the hardship, the great coachbuilders were out in force: Figoni et Falaschi, Pourtout, Franay, Chapron and others showed elegant machinery that everyone wanted, but hardly any could afford.

Like some supernova, the undisputed Star of the Salon blazed on the stand of the Carrosserie de Luxe, Jacques Saoutchik. The presentation was a series of firsts: Saoutchik had taken stand no. 1, the first on the left as one entered the Grand Palais. Placed on this stand was chassis 110101, the first Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport chassis made. The voluptuous Saoutchik body it wore was a first showing, a world premiere of its design, a dazzling fastback coupé which would become the “signature” body style for the Grand Sport chassis. A total of six of these coupés were built, none completely alike.

The design was an elaborate interactive flow of alluring, gorgeous yet delicate curves—as close to the essence of an automobile as sculpture as any carrosserie has conceived in the history of automotive design. The Saoutchik fastback coupé is therefore justly regarded as a chef-d'œuvre of postwar French car design and it is one of the most sensational, stunning and appealing bodies ever created by the Carrosserie de Luxe, Jacques Saoutchik.

The unique livery on the car was no less audacious—a daring paint scheme that blended a pastel mint green body color with chocolate brown fender panels, matching brown wire wheels and a grille with alternating green and brown vertical stripes. Add to this an interior in dark blue and azure leather that featured instrument bezels and fixtures plated in 24 carat gold. One would have thought it would all clash horrendously. Not so. As with the complex and sinuous curvatures of the metalwork where Pierre Saoutchik had achieved harmony out of a seeming chaos, this courageous array of colors miraculously melded into a greater whole where the sum was much greater than its parts.

This glamorous automobile is the subject matter of this book. Its complete history is told in detail and copiously illustrated with period and modern high-quality images. There is a detailed discussion of the development of the T26 Grand Sport, its chassis, engine and gearbox. And not least, a comprehensive study of the postwar Paris Salons, illustrated with remarkable period images in full color, taken by the famous photographer Yale Joel who worked for LIFE magazine and captured the compelling atmosphere of the 1948 Salon in all its glory. In addition, the forensic seven-year restoration of the car is covered in depth.

For the duration of the 1948 show, multitudes passed by and were swept off their feet by the almost carnal voluptuousness of this Saoutchik Talbot-Lago, as their drab postwar austerity garments provided a grim counterpoint, all the while highlighting that despite the years of privation inflicted by the War, refinement, elegance and sophistication remained alive and well in the world. Chassis 110101 was the Star, the Vedette, of the Salon. It was the stuff that dreams are made of, a truly overpowering car. Everything else at the Salon came in second. And second is everything that is not first. Simple as that.

  • ISBN: 978-1-956309-19-5
  • Release Date: August 2024
  • Page Size: 219 x 304mm, portrait
  • 328 pages, 264 illustrations/photographs
  • Hard cover with dust jacket in slipcase

Author Biography

Peter M. Larsen
Born in 1954, Peter Larsen has been a chronic gearhead all his life. Those who were there have said that the first word he learned to utter was "Opel". Peter Larsen is a Fulbright scholar and holds a Ph.D. in English literature and semiotics from the University of Copenhagen and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Read more about Peter M. Larsen


Ben Erickson
Born in 1975, Ben Erickson grew up in Minnesota, where he was doodling cars long before he could read and write. A special interest are American cars from the challenging years in the 1970s and 1980s when, as Ben says, 'they did the best with what they had'. ISO, all things Maserati, especially the Biturbos and other cars by Alejandro DeTomaso hold a special place in his heart, as do Volvos and SAABs. Read more about Ben Erickson


Average Rating: Average Rating: 5 of 5 5 of 5 Total Reviews: 2 Write a review »

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5 of 5 The ideal single vehicle publication. October 4, 2024
Reviewer: Timothy Heggland from Mazomanie, WI United States  
Anyone who cares about cars probably has a favorite that they would love to see treated in this lavish and authoritative manner.  For now, though, this splendid book will have to serve as a benchmark for what such a publication can and should be.  This book is an ideal resource and for once one actually gets enough (and gorgeous) photos.  Printing quality and presentation is outstanding in every way and the book is worth every penny of its purchase price.

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  0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 
5 of 5 October 1, 2024
Reviewer: Robert E Ryan from Stratham, NH United States  
Very satisfying.

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