1938 PEUGEOT 402 ÉCLIPSE « COUPÉ-CABRIOLET TRANSFORMABLE »

French title
Chassis n° 272535

Exceptional and very rare model
Superb condition, recent work
Elegant styling and innovative design

The 402 Éclipse is an exceptional car, belonging to the Peugeot models that adopted, for the first time anywhere, a system allowing the roof to fold into the boot, transforming a hard-top coupé into an open-top cabriolet, using a hand-operated mechanism. After the first few artisanal versions were built in the Pourtout workshops to a design by Georges Paulin for clients of Émile Darl'Mat, Peugeot decided to launch its own model, on the base of the 401, and later the 402.
It is this later and more advanced version that is presented in the sale. It is an ET5 version with Pilote wheels, of which just 27 examples were built. Bought new in November 1938 by a doctor from Nice, it sported an original Automobile Club de Monaco badge and during the 1990s, it left for the States. The car stayed in America for about ten years, participating in several concours events before returning home to France. It was acquired by the current owner, an important French collector, in 2016. An enthusiast of 1930s cars who already owned an Atalante, he was taken in by the breathtaking styling of this Éclipse.
In 2018, the car had a full mechanical overhaul, including the roof mechanism. Being very particular about the condition of his cars, our collector had the paintwork redone, along with theupholstery and carpets, all to the highest standards. To improve the drive, the manual gearbox was replaced with a Cotal box, like those fitted in certain Peugeot. The original box will be delivered with the car. Today, the odometer reads 08 909 km and the car comes with bodywork elements in good condition, some of which have been made by Robri.
Featuring a long, tapered rear, the extraordinary styling of this car, together with the spacious passenger compartment, the pioneering retractable roof system and its superb condition make this Peugeot 402 a rare and exceptional vehicle, offered with its Peugeot certificate.

Photo © Jason Schieste

The auction of this lot will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.
https://www.artcurial.com/fr/lot-1938-peugeot-402-eclipse-coupe-cabriolet-transformable-4134-149