Bodywork by Carosserie J. Saoutchik
- Commission no. 40156
- Chassis no. 35949
- Engine no. 72151
L’Automobile d’Avant-Garde
Specifications:
6,789 cc, 180 HP / 132 kW, 6-cylinder engine, Roots-type supercharger
1 of only 12 vehicles built – unique “short-windshield” variant, 1 of only 3 vehicles – the only remaining example today
- Exhibited at the 1929 New York Auto Salon
- Full restoration by the renowned team at Paul Russell and Company in Massachusetts, USA
- 2012 Pebble Beach Best of Show Winner
Mercedes’ S model was created in the coachbuilder era, a time when the average production car could be had for around $400. At the other end of the spectrum, the transition from the horse-drawn carriage to automobile construction resulted in the ultimate fusion of high fashion and technology: the car was not just a means of transportation, but a rolling work of art – although it also came with enormous costs. With its 6.8 liter engine, the S model was an extremely powerful car that met all the driver’s needs – both on the road and on the track.
Body J. Saoutchik
Jacques Saoutchik, an independent coachbuilder in France, had built his company on a reputation for delivering elegant and luxurious coachwork of exceptional craftsmanship. His background as a cabinetmaker resulted in near-perfect tolerances in the design of panels and dashboards. His obsession with form led him to frequently use shiny elements to emphasize the bold lines of his designs. Saoutchik was extremely versatile in his styles and offered many options to his clientele. An illustrated sales brochure showed three different body styles for the 680S chassis alone. It is believed that Saoutchik made 12 torpedo roadster bodies, all of which differed slightly in details such as the height of the windshield, etc.
