Dead French Coachbuilder Will Return To Spotlight After 7 Decades

French coachbuilder Saoutchik is set to return to the spotlight after nearly seven decades since it went the way of the dodo. Its returning masterpiece? A restyled Mercedes roadster with a soft-top roof, sleek silhouette, and emphatic rear, most likely to be based on the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class – hopefully based on the Mercedes-AMG SL63 – if we’re to guess based on the teaser images.

The famed coachbuilder, which filed for bankruptcy in the mid-50s, was known for its “transformables” and other beautiful creations, including the 1928 Mercedes 680S Saoutchik Torpedo that won “Best in Show” at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Based on the teasers, it appears that the revived Saoutchik’s first creation, to be named the 300 GTC, will be inspired by this particular car.

Dutch Design, German Tuning

Saoutchik was founded in 1906 by Jacques Saoutchik in Neuilly-sur-Seine, an upcoming suburb near Paris. It became one of the sought after names in coachbuilding before World War II, famed for its meticulous craftmanship and among the early creators of four-door convertibles. Unfortunately, the decline of the coachbuilding industry after the war led to the company declaring bankruptcy in 1955.

Little information is known about Saoutchik return, but based on the company’s social media posts, it appears that it partnered with two established companies: Ugur Sahin Design, a Dutch design company known for beautiful creations, and Pogea Racing, a German tuning firm that dared to employ its magic on a Ferrari Purosangue.

A Nod To Heritage

Saoutchik’s social media posts are a nod to the company’s heritage with its 300 GTC but with a modern twist. We expect nothing less in terms of performance based on Pogea Racing’s portfolio, while the exterior and interior styling should be nothing short of exquisite. While the base car is still unclear, it appears that the rear end, which shows a Mercedes-Benz three-star emblem and a class multi-spoke rims, is highly inspired by the uber-desirable 300 SL.

Saoutchik has yet to place an exact date for its return, as well as disclose a ballpark figure for the 300 GTC. However, as the company’s banking on its esteem with its “unique approach to coachbuilding attracted the most elite clientele, from royalty to Hollywood stars,” we’d wager this upcoming masterpiece would be out of the majority’s reach.

Source:
Carscoops