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Saoutchik was a French coachbuilding firm located in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris. The company was considered to be one of the most famous body manufacturers in France in the 1920s and 1930s and is regarded, together with Figoni & Falaschi and Franay, as the most important representative of the "Baroque" style in the French body construction of the 1930's and 1940's.

Iakov Saoutchik
"Iakov Saoutchik" (1880-1957) was born either in the Ukraine or Minsk (Belarus) ; then both part of States of the Russian Empire. In 1899, his family moved to France where Iakov completed an apprenticeship as a Art Carpenter and worked in this profession until 1906. In 1906, he married and then started working as a coachbuilder. He was one of the minority of "coachbuilders" without roots in the construction of carriages.

Saoutchik's ambition was to become the leading provider of individually-designed bodies by highest quality and independent design. Supposedly, the first chassis, that he dressed up was already an exclusive Isotta Fraschini. is a Rolls-Royce 40/50 hp 'Silver Ghost' (No. 2442), clothed the Saoutchik 1913 as tourer; the vehicle is preserved and bears the oldest known Saoutchik body. His goal in just a few years reached Saoutchik and it remained until the demise of the individual body building after World War II also internationally at the top. However, he was quite respectful with the traditions of the carriage construction craft, tried out but also their own solutions.

Innovations and courage to take risk


Saoutchik was one of the first, the Berline (automotive form) Transformables]] produced. Saoutchik was among the first to manufacture Transformbles. These are large and highly complex four-door completely openable top and full weather protection by retractable side windows; This distinguishes them from torpedo or Phaeton body. Unlike the convertible saloon there is no fixed side window frames or roof rails. These USA Convertible Sedan style bodies require the coachbuilder to solve special requirements in terms of stability, rigidity and operability of the hood.

Undoubtedly, Saoutchik was in the 1920s and 1930s to the most famous body manufacturers in France. It emerged some bodies sensational on large Mercedes and Mercedes-Benz - chassis. In addition to 'Transformables' were also "Torpedo breveté" called Roadsters (breveté means "patented"). Looking for "Visual magic" Saoutchik, which later chromed main lines of his designs by nickel, and occasionally wooden application began to highlight n. Saoutchik dressed some Hispano-Suiza, Panhard & Levassor and Renault 40 CV; these generally more conservative, but always very elegant. Noteworthy is a get fulfilment Rolls-Royce Phantom II (68 GN), the Saoutchik 1930 extremely reserved for "Cabriolet de Ville" (a synonym for "Transformable") dressed. The vehicle is painted black and has subdued Art Déco exterior; inside, striking Brocade panels on the rear doors and elaborate ornamentation and Appliques. hard to believe that Saoutchik here not moving on local territory; the clientele for this representation vehicles preferred more "Coachbuilders" like «««Binder,  Felber, waiter & Cie.  Waiter]], million Guiet or Hibbard & Darrin or Fernandez & Darrin.

Later, Saoutchik entered design risks. as he was one of the pioneers of extremely low body. In the early 1930s he attracted attention with such designs, which however somewhat playful presented themselves as the conceptually similar, but formally strict constructions of contemporary Voisin, which were drawn by the architect Le Corbusier in the Bauhaus tradition.

Bentley 6 ½ litre (1929)
A suspected Saoutchik construction on a Cadillac V16 chassis around 1930 had still not verified,, however, found a Bentley 6 ½ litre 1929 with short chassis, the it on American customer Saoutchik dress left. The selected design was a three positions-cabriolet, where the hood opens fully or half (just over the front seat) had, there was already a built-in trunk. Saoutchik used Appliques from Silver and worked both French and British styles.

Bucciali "Flèche d'Or"
An extreme example of the formally strict and low style of 1932 was realized on a Bucciali chassis. The spectacular Berline Kutsche (Berlin cabin) form Bucciali TAV 12 "Flèche d' Or measured only 1.48 meters high with a length of 6.36 meters. At the time,this was only released with a front-wheel drive. This accounted for the shaft and that the main reason for the large distance to the floor of the vehicle to the road. Bucciali was next to Tracta one of the pioneers of this concept in the 1920s, but the TAV8-32 (also TAV12 originally called because of the V12-ordered by the customer vane motor s of Voisin 4886 CC displacement) was up largest built newcomer,. even of the American record (built in series) L-29 and Cabell clearly surpassed. Like in this, the engine was fitted "upside"; also in the Bucciali the side of the gear was in front. The transmission itself was partly hidden under a cover between the front wheels and partly under the curved front radiator grille. Almost half of the length of the vehicle took the hood claims. The intention of ultra-low building was supported by huge wheels; the discs were slits. There's "helmet shaped" fender (so-called because of their profile) and no running boards. In order not to disturb the line, were accompanied by two wheels in the rear, that this the traction (drive) Traction]] of the vehicle deteriorated, was accepted. Laterally there are ornaments in the form of a flying over the entire length of the hood «««Stork, almost a antithesis to the strict formalism of the remaining structure.

The original drawings of the "Flèche d'Or" ("Golden lightning") go back to "Paul Albert Bucciali".

Reorientation
Saoutchik realised at the beginning of the 1930s that came this low creations out of fashion. Support during Gabriel Voisin, and Le Corbusier, advised by his artist friend to pursue this path and it came on intelligent solutions, such as the bright "Lumineuse" structures with much Glasfäche (and also on some something strange), is increasingly poorly selling. "Saoutchik reinvented" itself so to speak: the subtle restraint gave way to increasingly opulent shapes and ornamentation appeared more and more to the fore.

Competition with Figoni & Falaschi
The other major creator of this barocken forms of language, Figoni & Falaschi, was a respectful swept competition for the most sophisticated creation of each season, whose climax was the Paris Motor Show. The now preferred brands were Delahaye and Talbot-Lago for its chassis also Figoni & Falaschi realized numerous constructions. For several years this contest coined the Auto mode and the development of the French individual body construction, Jacques Saoutchik 1935 complained about its "Americanization". In fact are these influences on vehicles of Renault, SA Mathis Mathis]] or Rosengart (car) Rosengart]] good to see. The reply of the French "car Ossiers" led as to occasional excesses with forms, today pompously and excessively will be perceived as. Both Saoutchik as also Figoni & Falaschi won many prizes at Concours d ' Elegance at that time for their creations, held, despite the economic crisis, well in the business.

Hispano-Suiza J12 and K6
The Hispano-Suiza V12 (types J12 and J12bis respectively 68 and 68bis) was undoubtedly one of the most exclusive vehicles of their time. Saoutchik has dressed some of them; they are rather cautious after the conservative tastes of customers. The most J12 received representative bodies - chauffeur limousine, Landaulet s or 'Transformables'. There was a two-seat convertible with "Dickey seat" for a French industrialist. It was despite its enormous size of timeless, restrained elegance. it was afterwards long owned by Pablo Picasso. In the 1970s it was a model for a model that brought out the Italian manufacturers of "Rio".

2010 was a "transformable" by Saoutchik on a chassis J12 1936 (#28543 43) sold at auction for US$ 1.54 million. 1935 was a very elegant cabriolet on the "small" Hispano-Suiza K6, which has been preserved.

The "Trossi SSK"
Italy European aristocrat and racing driver count Carlo Felice Trossi (1908-1949) had one in 1934 Mercedes-Benz SSK new dress from 1930 according to their own ideas. In accordance with a single-source was implemented at Saoutchik. The restorers of the vehicle determined that the car previously wore a roadster-structure of Carrozzeria Touring.

The "Trossi SSK" is a very well known and spectacular vehicle, so it is surprising that hardly any sources found for Saoutchiks authorship. 

"Pantograph" doors
Jacques Saoutchik patented mid-1930s a new hinge system, the he, according to the Called device, "Pantograph". In this particular form of door, the door of quest is carried and carried. When you open it is only side pulled out, and, if it is far enough from the body, parallel at this along ahead or back until she completely releases the door opening. In closed the special mode of operation of the "pantograph"-Türe only in the unusual position of the door handle is centered in the optical axis of the door leaf. Very few vehicles were equipped with this door system. Are two or more conservative convertibles; the one on the chassis of a Delage D8-120 1939 could be completed before the outbreak of the war no longer and was delivered until 1945 at the Élysée Palace. It served as the first Government vehicle President Charles de Gaulle. that originally, preserved as all government vehicles, black-lacquered vehicle is and is presented in a red bronze shade long. Although this change probably not made by Saoutchik, it rests in its tradition; He was one of the first French "coachbuilders", who worked with metallic colours. today is the car in silver on black.

The other well-known convertible with "pantograph" doors seems no longer to exist. Saoutchik built it on the chassis of the eight-cylinder model Renault Suprastella for the later General and war hero Marie-Pierre Kœnig (1898-1970). Koenig was commander of the "France libre Force Français Libre]] "in the UK and the" forces Françaises de l ' Interior (FFI) "and then military Governor from Paris. After the war he was at the same time Commander-in-Chief of the French troops in Germany and military Governor französischen occupation zone.

Dubonnet "Xenia" (1938 / 1945)
The 1938 resulting "Xenia", a test vehicle, the Dubonnet belongs to Saoutchiks most famous bodies of this time-heritage, engineer and racing driver from André Dubonnet (1897-1980) a further development of his unabhängigen suspension tested. The chassis came from a Hispano-Suiza H. 6C, no longer officially produced at this time. Just "Xenia" is ironically not a Saoutchik design; the designer and aerodynamics specialist Jean Édouard Andreau (1890-1953) supplied the drawings. 

Jaguar S. S. 100 (1938)
Also in 1938 was a rather conservative Roadster on the chassis of the SS Jaguar 100. 190 examples 2½-litre engine with only 118 2½-litre engine were built between 1938 and 1940. Most received the low-key, very sporty roadster factory body. Saoutchiks one of a kind on an early 3½ litre chassis (#39107) does not affect with their characteristic Struts hood, radiator grille and the headlights. The massive fenders are striking and typical. The rear is elegantly swinging. The S.S.. has some design borrows from the "Trossi SSK" Jaguar. Like this, Saoutchik Jaguar acts clearly massive as the output model. The vehicle still exists.

Bentley Mark V convertible (1939-1940)
In 1940, Saoutchik, one of the few chassis karossierte Bentley Mark V (#MXT 3). It was the sister of King Farouk of Egypt and was intended for dressing up actually tie, where it arrived immediately before the outbreak of the war. It had been hidden for a while before a German access. The Mark V was the first Bentley with independent; only 11 cars were built in total. The very conservative lines suggests that a draft was used by Binder.

Post World War II
After World War II the business declined more and more, because the manufacturers offered increasingly self-supporting bodies of own production. The rivalry with Figoni & Falaschi lasted briefly after the war, now enlivened by designs by Franay, J Gurney Nutting & Co Limited, Freestone and Webb and a newcomer, Facel-Métallon. The latter soon became its own car brand, Facel Vega.

The dwindling market and the need to draw the attention of the customers to drive this coachbuilder to always people forms. A large expertise in dealing with metal was prerequisite to its implementation. Stylistically the border to decadence was more than once passed - more still had some American drafts, which translate ultimately into mass production and finally to find buyers. These vehicles were not practical: the weight of the opulentzen bodies made the really sporty vehicles slow and thirsty. The oversized fenders and bumpers were the front axle, causing the steering (without Servo help) was stiff. At the same time the focus shifted the vehicles in accordance front, which is the traction (drive) Traction]] of the mainstay deteriorated. Cladding on the front wheels also resulted a miserable tropic (car) Turning circle]], making the car more unwieldy. Fewer customers are ready themselves for a lot of money to do it. The difficult times after the war were also far from suited to display ever in a car so extravagant. In Sautchiks home market France the de Gaulle Government introduced also a high luxury tax, which sealed the fate of some car brands, not only, but also to give up forced "Coachbuilders".

Cadillac sixty-two
Saoutchik karossierte a Cadillac (#46237307) as extravagant cabriolet 1948. A very modern V8 with OHV valve control – were designed for heavy bodies, their traditional customers in Europe but little popular U.S. vehicles with their massive ladder frame and the powerful eight-cylinder engines - at Cadillac. The cabriolet body of this vehicle is very striking with similar lines, as they find themselves Saoutchiks Delage and Delahaye. Combined they would have been with more applications than ever: wide chrome strips run over the peak height of the fender, and with Wattle above the doors was used on a stylistic device used in the construction of the carriage. The radiator grille was modelled after a sign. The item still exists and brought the fantastic for a post-war Cadillac sum of US$ 649.000. each in auctions in 2006 and 2010

Talbot-Lago
After "Antonio Lago" 1932 Group (S-T-D) had removed the work in Suresnes from the bankruptcy estate of the British Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq, was a realignment with tighter product range, sportier models, and a racing program that consisted of costs on production-based vehicles. Talbot-Lago were robust and also fast with their first 2.7 to 3 liters big six-cylinder engines with OHV valve control and hemispherical ("hemispheric") combustion chambers. Which was one of the strongest versions of Talbot-Lago type 26 Grand Sport 26 Grand sport type]] with four litre engine and almost 200 bhp performance. According to factory, this was the fastest four-seater built in France this time. The chassis of the mark were soon popular with Saoutchiks competitors Figoni & Falaschi and Chapron, where the latter very stylish and demure convertibles and Coupés produced and Figoni & Falaschi on the one hand maintained its "Baroque style" and on the other hand with the famous "Goutte d'eau" ("drop of water") Coupe found a whole new design language. The designs of Saoutchiks lie between these creations; they are very elegant and not nearly as accommodating as the Delahaye, with which the company had regularly the experts sit up and shake their heads in the audience.

Talbot-Lago was the last French provider of large-volume sports car in the Bentley price range after the Elimination of Bugatti, Delage, and Delahaye for a short time.

Delahaye 235
The "coachbuilders" had to find other ways. Delahaye tried to gain a foothold in the luxury market, with 235, a further development of the 135, several showed their ideas on this chassis, so Antem, Chapron, Figoni & Falaschi, and of course also Saoutchik the remaining. The transitional period to the modern age shows a sporty cabriolet 1951, whose fender line is even hinted at. A pfostenloses Coupé, you probably would have called in a less radical way hardtop or faux cabriolet, in 1953 showed the way, the Paul Saoutchik introduced himself, who had taken over the company in the previous year by the father. It had a long fastback rear end with pointed tail muted on and lots of glass. The fender line is also on contemporary BMW and Buick. The market had changed, however, hardly anyone still interested in these hand-made and therefore very expensive vehicles. Objectively, there were cheaper, modern constructions, which were considerably more powerful than these "Grandes of Routiéres", which had already arrived at the end of its development cycle.

Pegaso Z-102
in 1938, it was abandoned automobile production by Hispano-Suiza in France. It was continued in Spain. General Franco nationalized this area after the war as "ENASA" (empresa nacional autocamiones sociedad anónima). Car construction didn't matter at first, the company concentrated on commercial vehicles, which were sold under the brand name Pegaso.

The high performance of sports car Z 102 was produced from 1951 to 1957. More than 100 vehicles were made during this time. Most were bodied by Carroceria Serra in Barcelona, Carrozzeria Touring and Saoutchik. Each has individual details. A repeating style element is a chrome band that vertically divides the front grille.

The chassis of the Pegaso sports car was lighter and smaller than most, which Saoutchik had worked. Its Roadsters and coupés of the brand are modern and restrained. Still, Saoutchik was a distinctive formal language. Still hint of Fender lines, can be found on some Z-102 Saoutchik and Delahaye 235 This one came off but soon. Daimler motor company Tried Daimler]] with the SP250 from a milder version, and was also not a satisfactory score. Else is known to us by other designers about the cup-shaped mounts the headlight (called "nacelles"). We find them also at Serra versions of the Z-102 and so different cars such as the first Facel-Vega, obliquely placed on American Lincoln (automobile) Lincoln]] and  Continental of 1958 and 1959 (about having to use the "show cars" Ford Mystère and Lincoln Futura, the later Batmobile) and by Mulliner Park Ward karossierten  1964 Bentley S3 continental and rolls Rolls-Royce Silver cloud III. A horizontal arrangement can be found on the standard models of the two British brands and at the Humber Super snipe. This fashion disappeared quickly after that.

Paul Saoutchik
In 1952, Jacques son Paul Saoutchik took over the company's management. After the war there were too few customers with enough money to afford expensive special bodies for their cars and in 1955 the company Saoutchik was closed.

List of known chassis with Saoutchik bodies

 * Bugatti Type 57, Bugatti (various)
 * Cadillac sixty-two
 * Delage (various, incl. D8-120)
 * Delahaye 134, 135, 175, 235
 * Hispano-Suiza H. 6B, H. 6C, K. 6, J12
 * Isotta Fraschini (1906)
 * Mercedes 24/100/140 PS (type K) and Mercedes-Benz 630S, Mercedes-Benz W06 (S, SS, SSK), Mercedes-Benz W29 (500 K)
 * Panhard & Levassor (various)
 * Pegaso Z 102
 * Pic-Pic
 * Renault 40CV, Renault Reinastella, Renault Nervastella, Renault Suprastella
 * 40/50 hp 'Silver Ghost' (1913, # 2442), Phantom II cabriolet de Ville ("Transformable", 1930, #68GN), Silver Wraith Sedanca (1947, #WTA45)
 * Talbot-Lago T26, T150, "Grand sport"
 * Voisin

Literature

 * Peter M. Larsen, Ben Erickson: "Jacques Saoutchik, Maître computer." Dalton Watson fine books, London 2014, 3 volumes, ISBN 978-1-85443-269-8 (English)
 * Vol. I: "The Life of a Jeweler in Steel."
 * Vol. II: "the language of design."
 * Vol. III: "heavenly bodies."


 * Nick Georgano: ' the Beaulieu encyclopedia of the automobile: Coachbuilding. " Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago and others 2001, ISBN 1-57958-367-9.
 * Serge Bellu: ' La Carrosserie française: style au design. " Publishing E-T-A-I, 2007, ISBN 978-2-7268-8716-5 (French)
 * Serge Bellu: ' La carrosserie: Une histoire de style. " Editions de la Martinière, 2010, ISBN 978-2-7324-4128-3 (French)
 * Lawrence Dalton: "those elegant Rolls Royce." Dalton Watson, London 1978, . (English)
 * Lawrence Dalton: "Rolls Royce - the elegance continues." Dalton Watson, London, ISBN 0-901564-05-2 (English)
 * Jonathan Wood: "Coachbuilding - the hand-crafted car body." Shire publications, 2008, ISBN 978-0-located-0688-2 (English)

External link

 * article about body manufacturer in the Detroit News
 * coachbuild.com: "Saoutchik" (English, accessed on 27 September 2014)
 * conceptcarz.com: "Rolls-Royce Silver ghost tourer Saoutchik (1913)" (English, accessed on 27 September 2014)
 * conceptcarz.com: "Some Saoutchik bodies (1913-1954)" (English, accessed on September 26, 2014)
 * François Vanaret: "L 'Âge d' or de la carrosserie française; [Carrosseries Saoutchik "] (French, retrieved on September 30, 2014)
 * fantasyjunction.com: "Rolls Royce Phantom II cabriolet de Ville Saoutchik 1930 (68 GN)" (English, accessed on 28 September 2014)
 * conceptcarz.com: "Bentley 6½ litre cabriolet Saoutchik (1929)" (English, accessed on 27 September 2014)
 * conceptcarz.com: "Bucciali TAV 12 (1932)" (English, accessed on 27 September 2014)
 * supercars.net: "1930 Mercedes-Benz SSK" count Trossi " (English, accessed on 27 September 2014)
 * Paul Russell & co.: "1930 Mercedes-Benz SSK" count Trossi portfolio " (English, accessed on 28 September 2014)
 * conceptcarz.com: "Hispano-Suiza J12 Saoutchik convertible sedan (1936; #28543 43)" (English, accessed on 28 September 2014)
 * conceptcarz.com: "Delage D8-120 S cabriolet Saoutchik (1937)" (English, accessed October 1, 2014)
 * conceptcarz.com: "Hispano-Suiza H6C"Xenia"(1938)" (English, accessed on September 26, 2014)
 * ultimatecarpage.com: "Jaguar SS 100 3.5-litre Saoutchik Roadster Saoutchik (1938)" (English, accessed 3 October 2014)
 * conceptcarz.com: "Bentley Mark V cabriolet Saoutchik (1939)" (English, accessed on September 26, 2014)
 * conceptcarz.com: "Cadillac series 62 convertible Saoutchik (1948)" (English, accessed on 27 September 2014)
 * conceptcarz.com: "Talbot Lago T26 Grand sport Coupé Saoutchik (1951)" (English, accessed on 2 October 2014)
 * coachbuild.com: "Figoni Falaschi" (English, accessed on 27 September 2014)