1938 Peugeot 402 Légère ‘Darl’Mat’ Roadster
Representing the collaboration between visionary dentist-turned-designer Georges Paulin and Parisian dealer Émile Darl’Mat, this streamlined masterpiece exemplified 1930s aerodynamic artistry built by coachbuilder Marcel Pourtout. Paulin pioneered aerodynamic design principles, believing efficient streamlining could compensate for smaller engines while achieving greater speed.
The 402 featured Peugeot’s advanced 2.0-liter (later 2.1-liter) overhead-valve four-cylinder engine producing 55-60 horsepower, often paired with the sophisticated Cotal electromagnetic preselector gearbox operated via steering column controls. Only 105 Darl’Mat cars were produced between 1936-1939, achieving notable racing success at Le Mans with a fifth-place overall finish in 1938.
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