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Saoutchik

From Alfawiki
Saoutchik
Company typePrivate
IndustryCoachbuilding, Automotive design
Founded1906
FounderIakov Saoutchik
Headquarters
Neuilly-sur-Seine
,
France
ProductsCustom automobile bodies, transformable automobiles, luxury coachwork

Saoutchik was a renowned French coachbuilding firm established in 1906 and located in Neuilly-sur-Seine, near Paris. During the 1920s and 1930s, it stood among France's premier coachbuilders and, together with Figoni et Falaschi and Franay, represented a significant force in the "Baroque" design movement within French coachwork throughout the 1930s and 1940s.

A revived Saoutchik entity was launched in 2016, presenting its inaugural new creation in 2024.

Iakov Saoutchik

Iakov Saoutchik (1880–1957) originated from either Ukraine or Minsk (Belarus), territories then under the Russian Empire. His family relocated to France in 1899, where he underwent training as a cabinetmaker and continued working in this trade until 1906.

Early history

In 1906, following his marriage, Saoutchik opened his own coachbuilding workshop on rue Dulud. Unlike many contemporaries whose roots were in carriage manufacturing, he began his enterprise without that background. His initial chassis was reportedly an Isotta Fraschini, while the earliest surviving vehicle featuring Saoutchik coachwork is a 1907 Clément-Bayard 10CV. Saoutchik rapidly gained recognition as a leading custom bodybuilder, maintaining international acclaim until bespoke coachbuilding waned after World War II.

History

Saoutchik was at the forefront of creating transformable automobiles—large, intricate four-door vehicles equipped with fully retractable tops and side windows that could be lowered, differing from traditional torpedo or phaeton models. These designs required sophisticated engineering to ensure both structural integrity and functional ease.

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Saoutchik crafted distinguished bodies for substantial Mercedes-Benz chassis, including transformables and Torpedo breveté roadsters. To achieve striking visual effects, he emphasized design contours with nickel or chrome-plated accents, occasionally using wooden appliqués. Additionally, he produced refined yet understated bodies for marques such as Hispano-Suiza, Panhard & Levassor, and the Renault 40CV. Among preserved examples is a modestly styled Rolls-Royce Phantom II Cabriolet de Ville from 1930, notable for its subtle Art Deco embellishments and sumptuous interior paneling. Nevertheless, many clients favored other coachbuilders like Binder, Felber, Kellner, Million-Guiet, or Fernandez & Darrin.

In later years, Saoutchik embraced daring design innovations by introducing exceptionally low-profile bodies during the early 1930s, which presented a more playful aesthetic compared to the formal designs of contemporaries such as Avions Voisin.

Bentley 6 ½ Litre (1929)

For an American customer in 1929, Saoutchik created a body for a short-wheelbase Bentley 6 ½ litre. This model featured a convertible roof with three distinct positions—fully retracted, partially covering the front seats, or completely closed—and incorporated a built-in trunk. The design merged French and British stylistic elements and included nickel silver detailing.

Bucciali "Flèche d’Or"

The Berline TAV 12 “Flèche d’Or” (1932) epitomized the low-slung formal styling of its period. Constructed on a front-wheel-drive Bucciali chassis, it measured just 1.48 meters tall and extended to 6.36 meters in length. The absence of a cardan shaft lowered the floor height significantly, enabling this model to achieve the lowest body profile of its time—surpassing American front-wheel-drive vehicles like the Cord L-29 and Ruxton. Nearly half of the car’s length was dominated by its long hood, balanced by large wheels and narrow windows. Instead of running boards, it featured distinctive "helmet-shaped" fenders; two spare wheels mounted at the rear affected traction but preserved streamlined bodylines. A flying stork hood ornament stretched along the length of the bonnet, providing contrast to the vehicle’s otherwise strict formal appearance.

Designed by Paul-Albert Bucciali, this model was powered by a Voisin V12 engine with a displacement of 4886 cm³.

Rivalry with Figoni et Falaschi

Jacques Saoutchik was a prominent competitor to Figoni et Falaschi, another key figure in the "baroque" style of coachbuilding. Both ateliers frequently collaborated with prestigious marques such as Delahaye and Talbot-Lago, producing numerous tailor-made bodies for these chassis.

Throughout the 1930s, this rivalry significantly shaped the direction of French coachbuilding, even as Saoutchik voiced his disapproval in 1935 over the growing trend toward "Americanization." These stylistic elements were also evident in vehicles from manufacturers like Renault, Mathis, and Rosengart. At times, their competition resulted in designs considered overly extravagant by modern standards. Despite this, Saoutchik and Figoni et Falaschi both garnered multiple accolades at Concours d'Elegance events and successfully maintained their operations during the challenging economic period.

Hispano-Suiza J12 and K6

For the Hispano-Suiza J12 and K6 models, Saoutchik produced several restrained body styles that appealed to wealthy patrons. The majority of J12s were outfitted with formal chauffeur-driven configurations such as limousines, landaulets, or transformables. Among these was a distinctive two-seater convertible featuring a "mother-in-law seat," originally commissioned by a French industrialist and later owned by Pablo Picasso. During the 1970s, this design inspired an Italian manufacturer named Rio to reproduce it.

A Saoutchik Transformable built on a 1936 J12 chassis (#28543 43) fetched US$1.54 million at auction in 2010.

In 1935, an elegant convertible based on the smaller Hispano-Suiza K6 was crafted and has been preserved to this day.

"Pantograph" Door Mechanism

In the mid-1930s, Jacques Saoutchik developed and patented the "pantograph" door hinge system. This innovative mechanism utilized strut-supported sliding doors that first extended outward before sliding parallel to the vehicle's body when opened. A distinctive feature of this system is the door handle located approximately halfway up the door. Only a limited number of automobiles incorporated this technology; one example is a 1939 Delage D8-120 convertible completed after World War II and delivered to the Élysée Palace in 1945 as President Charles de Gaulle’s inaugural official car. Initially painted black in line with government fleet standards, it was later displayed in red-bronze—highlighting Saoutchik’s pioneering application of metallic finishes—and today sports a silver-over-black scheme.

Another pantograph-door model was created on an eight-cylinder Renault Suprastella chassis for General Marie-Pierre Kœnig, although this vehicle no longer exists.

Dubonnet Xenia (1938)

Among Saoutchik’s most distinguished works is the 1938 Dubonnet Xenia, a prototype developed to showcase engineer and racer André Dubonnet’s innovative Hyperflex suspension system. Constructed on a 1932 Hispano-Suiza H6 chassis purchased in 1934, it was upgraded with hydraulic brakes. The body design was crafted by aerodynamic specialist Jean Édouard Andreau and featured one of the earliest examples of a panoramic windshield.

Jaguar SS 100 (1938)

In 1938, Saoutchik fashioned a unique roadster body for a Jaguar SS100 3½ liter chassis (#39107). While retaining the original hood, grille, and headlights, the design incorporated oversized fenders and an elongated, flowing rear section. This gave the car a grander appearance reminiscent of the “Trossi-SSK.” This singular vehicle remains extant today.

Bentley Mark V Cabriolet (1939–1940)

In 1940, Saoutchik completed the coachwork on one of the scarce Bentley Mark V chassis (#MXT 3), initially commissioned for the coachbuilder Binder. This vehicle, once owned by the sister of King Faruq of Egypt, exhibits restrained styling likely inspired by Binder’s original concepts. During the war, it was hidden to prevent confiscation by German forces.

After World War 2

Following the Second World War, Saoutchik experienced a downturn as automotive manufacturers increasingly adopted self-supporting body construction within their own facilities. The competitive landscape intensified with established names like Figoni & Falaschi, Franay, Gurney-Nutting, Freestone and Webb, alongside new entrants such as Facel-Métallon, which eventually developed Facel Vega.

To appeal to a diminishing clientele, coachbuilders began crafting more elaborate yet less practical designs. These heavier bodies negatively impacted vehicle performance and fuel efficiency; excessively large fenders placed additional strain on front axles and degraded steering responsiveness in the absence of power assist. The front-biased weight distribution further compromised traction and handling. Coupled with steep luxury taxes imposed by de Gaulle’s administration in France, these challenges drastically reduced demand for expensive bespoke coachwork, leading many firms to close.

Cadillac Sixty Two

In 1948, Saoutchik produced an opulent convertible based on a Cadillac (#46237307), featuring design elements reminiscent of their Delage and Delahaye projects. The car was distinguished by abundant chrome detailing, including broad strips running along the top of the fenders and a carriage-style wattle above the doors. Its radiator grille took on a shield-like form. This rare example has maintained notable auction prices, achieving US$649,000 in both 2006 and 2010 sales.

Talbot-Lago

After Antonio Lago acquired the Suresnes factory in 1932 following the bankruptcy of the British Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq Group, Talbot-Lago concentrated on producing sportier models supported by a racing program centered around near-production cars to control costs. Their durable six-cylinder engines spanned from 2.7 to 4 liters in displacement, with the Type 26 Grand Sport delivering close to 200 bhp. Talbot chassis were favored by coachbuilders such as Figoni & Falaschi and Chapron—Saoutchik’s creations offered refined elegance without matching the extravagance seen in Delahaye designs. After the cessation of production by Bugatti, Delage, and Delahaye, Talbot-Lago briefly remained as the sole French manufacturer producing high-volume sports cars competing at Bentley’s price level.

Delahaye Type 235

Delahaye sought to reclaim its position in the luxury segment with the Type 235—a derivative of the Type 135—drawing coachbuilders including Antem, Chapron, Figoni & Falaschi, and Saoutchik.

A 1951 cabriolet crafted by Saoutchik retained classic fender styling while signaling a move toward contemporary aesthetics. In 1953, Paul Saoutchik, succeeding his father, unveiled a pillarless coupé featuring an extended fastback rear and expansive glass areas, anticipating hardtop designs later adopted by brands like BMW and Buick.

Nevertheless, consumer preferences had shifted away from expensive handcrafted luxury automobiles toward more accessible modern vehicles with enhanced powertrains. The era of these Grandes Routières had effectively concluded their evolution.

Pegaso Z-102

While Hispano-Suiza discontinued automobile manufacturing in France by 1938, its operations persisted in Spain. Following World War II, the Spanish branch was nationalized by General Franco under the entity ENASA, which concentrated on producing commercial vehicles marketed under the Pegaso name.

Between 1951 and 1957, Pegaso briefly developed the high-performance Z-102 sports car, with production limited to fewer than 100 units. The majority of these cars were crafted by Carroceria Serra in Barcelona, Carrozzeria Touring, and Saoutchik, each offering distinct and exclusive coachwork designs.

Paul Saoutchik

In 1952, Paul Saoutchik assumed leadership of the family’s coachbuilding firm during a period of diminishing demand for bespoke luxury automobile bodies. Due to the shrinking market, the company ultimately closed its doors in 1955.

Revival

The Saoutchik brand experienced a resurgence in 2016 when it was relaunched in the Netherlands with a focus on automotive design and engineering services. In 2024, it collaborated with Ugur Sahin Design to introduce the Saoutchik 300 GTC—a limited edition sports car capped at 15 units. Drawing inspiration from the Mercedes-Benz 300SL and Mercedes-Benz 680S, this model is based on the latest Mercedes-Benz SL. The body panels are constructed from carbon fibre supplied by German company Pogea Racing, targeting an exclusive clientele with refined tastes.

List of known chassis with Saoutchik bodies

Literature

  • Peter M. Larsen, Ben Erickson: Jacques Saoutchik, Maître Carrossier. Three volumes, Dalton-Watson Fine Books, London 2014
Volume I: The Life of a Jeweler in Steel
Volume II: The Language of Design
Volume III: Heavenly Bodies
  • Nick Georgano: The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile: Coachbuilding. Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago 2001
  • Serge Bellu: La Carrosserie Française: du Style au Design. Verlag E-T-A-I, 2007
  • Serge Bellu: La carrosserie: Une histoire de style. Editions de la Martinière, 2010
  • Lawrence Dalton: Those Elegant Rolls Royce. Dalton-Watson, London 1978
  • Lawrence Dalton: Rolls Royce - The Elegance Continues. Dalton-Watson, London
  • Jonathan Wood: Coachbuilding - The hand-crafted car body. Shire Publications, 2008

External links

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