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The Cars of Émile Claveau Part 4

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A magnificent brochure heralded the arrival of the Claveau Descartes ‘for 1947’. Seen as a complete car in 1948, the Descartes was awesomely ambitious for a private entrepreneur.

By Karl Ludvigsen

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When war intervened Émile Claveau had almost completed the first prototype of a stunningly advanced envelope-bodied six-passenger saloon with a V-8 engine and aluminium alloy body/frame—the Audi A8 of its day. Claveau named it after the philosopher who had been his consistent inspiration: ‘Descartes’. At the 1947 Paris Salon this was present only in scale model form plus its impressive completed engine. This sufficed as a stage from which Claveau could and did discuss the shortcomings of the existing French makers with visiting President Vincent Auriol.

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Miles of Smiles at Goodwood

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Bentley Belles

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

Old faces and some new faces and everybody is smiling. But whilst every driver wants to win and drives accordingly, there are no points at stake or championships to be won, so the pressure is off and any rivalries are forgot. But you do get a nice cigar and a bottle of champagne when you win!

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Peter Mullin’s Legacy

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A moment to remember: Best of Show award, Pebble Beach, 2011, goes to the Art Deco 1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne of Peter and Merle Mullin. Hugues Vanhoolandt photo.

Peter Mullin passed away on September 20th at the age of 82.

VeloceToday has reported many times on the Mullin Automotive Museum he created, beginning with the opening in April of 2010. It was a commemoration of the art deco design era when exquisite art and magnificent automobiles were elements of an artful, futurist culture.*

Over the years, we have been fortunate to have four of the most seasoned, respected and knowledgeable automotive writers visit the Mullin and report back to us in detail. Larry Crane explained the museum’s display of Bugatti furniture; the late Eric Davison searched for something really different; Hugues Vanhoolandt was given a special tour and did his magic with his camera; finally, another museum traveler, Brandes Elitch, opined on the opulent Citroen celebration.

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And How! Ernie, Hugues and Jonathan

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Photo by Hugues Vanhoolandt.

This week And How gives us a glimpse of Ol’ Yeller II at Goodwood on parade while E.T. Nagamatsu, ever the ambassador, meets the women who did such a wonderful job singing the classic tunes of the war years. Then Hugues Vanhoolandt captures some of the ambiance that surrounds the Goodwood Revival, and Jonathan Sharp focuses on a special OSCA shown at the Hampton Concours.

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The Cars of Émile Claveau Part 3

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Artist Brian Hatton followed a colour photo of the 1928 9 CV for its hue.

By Karl Ludvigsen

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The potential of the Claveau 7 CV Sport design was recognized by the magazine Omnia: ‘Sponsored by a big industry, this could well be a people’s car,’ it opined. Although lacking big-industry backing, Automobiles Claveau now at 22 Place de la Madeleine offered an attractive range of mid-engined cars in its handsome catalogue for the 1928 season. This was forecast by its showing at the 1927 Paris Salon, where a strikingly advanced closed version was displayed.

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Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court: French and others

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Entered by the Musee des 24 Heures du Mans, 1925 Lorraine-Dietrich B3/6 Sport Torpedo.

Photos by Jonathan Sharp

We continue with a selection of French and others that appeared this year at Hampton Court on September 1-3. Hampton Court is another British movable feast, and the proper name is the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace. As Graham Gauld pointed out back in 2014, note the British use of the word ‘of’ rather than the French ‘de.’ Of course the event is not always held at Hampton Court, located on the side of the river Thames just under 12 miles southwest of the center of London. According to the official website, “The Concours of Elegance began at Windsor Castle in 2012, before moving to St James’s Palace in 2013, Hampton Court Palace in 2014, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh (Her Majesty The Queen’s official residence in Scotland) in 2015 before returning to Windsor Castle in 2016 and Hampton Court Palace in 2017.”

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2023 Goodwood Revival September 8-10

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Side by side in the pits straight the 1938 Alfa Romeo 158 ‘Alfetta’ of Peter Greenfield and the 1948 Talbot-Lago Type 26C of Luc Brandts, respectively 8th and 17th in this race won by the 1937 Alta of Ian Baxter.

Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt

Although the Goodwood Revival celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, it still attracts many spectators and the show still lives up to expectations. The summer weather on the first two days added to the pleasure of taking part in this celebration of motorsport from the 1920s to the 1960s. The rain on Sunday afternoon made the RAC TT Celebration Race even more epic than usual, also unfortunately with some damaged cars. The slightest deviation in trajectory does not forgive at Goodwood, a circuit that remains in the old style, with few clearances or fences, and that is what makes the charm of this event. Alongside the races, the numerous parades and activities of all kinds satisfied visitors, even those who had little interest in motorsport. We will focus on a few major races, all still hotly contested at Goodwood.

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Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court: The Italians

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Best of Show Award

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

September seems to have become Stately Home month, Blenheim Palace for Salon Prive, Hampton Court Palace for the Concours of Elegance,* and then the Goodwood for the Revival, though you could argue that the Revival is held on the estate rather than at the house.

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The Cars of Émile Claveau Part 2

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The first Émile Claveau prototype, the 7 CV Sport, contrasts dramatically with its neighbors in the 1926 Paris Salon.

By Karl Ludvigsen

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From 1924 Claveau began thinking through the design of an auto from first principles, guided as he was by the Discours of Descartes. On 5 September 1925 he lodged a patent on a suspension system that he pictured as applying to two vehicles, both open models and both teardrop-shaped in plan view. At that time French makers Cottin & Desgouttes and Sizaire-Naudin were leaders in deploying transverse leaf springs as a means of giving independent suspension.

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Gauld: Sleuthing around Silverstone

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The prettiest Maserati, the 1936 4CM as driven by Goffredo Zehender in period.

Story and photos by Graham Gauld

As is my wont I embarked on a five-hour drive from my new home in isolated Cornwall to Silverstone for the Classic. Last year I could leave the house in the south of France, drive an hour to Nice airport, wait an hour, fly to Luton airport, rent a car and drive to Silverstone in less time than my drive from Cornwall!

As usual my idea was to prowl the paddock, chat to people and come up with one or two interesting snippets for VeloceToday.

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Elitch and Friends on the Green

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1959 Maserati 3500 GT Bertone coupe, owned by Jim Utaski, Skillman, NJ. I have never seen this before, even in a picture, another one-of-a kind example, quite striking.

Intro by Grant Black, Brisbane Australia

Walking along a narrow road by Carmel Bay, leading to the famous Pebble Beach golf course, two shadowy figures exchanged ‘Good Mornings’ in the misty pre-dawn light. This was my serendipitous meeting with your VeloceToday reporter, Brandes Elitch. [Read more…] about Elitch and Friends on the Green

Salon Prive at Blenheim Palace

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My favorite entry.

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

Salon Prive events in the UK can be a bit confusing. The Bagley brothers, Andrew and David, now organize two events annually, both under the name of Salon Prive. The most recent of the two is the

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