Strengths

Unique and bespoke French coachwork by Paul Néé of Levallois on an American Ford V8 chassis
Family ownership unique since new, with only two people ever taking the wheel
Total restoration carried out over more than 10 years
Winner of the 1935 annual elegance concours of the Paris fashion houses, with photographic evidence on file
Registered as a classic vehicle in France with confirmed matching serial numbers

The Appeal

When Henry Ford launched his flathead V8 in 1932, he made the eight‑cylinder engine accessible to the general public. By 1935, the Ford V8 had become a refined and desirable platform, yet our car clearly stands out from the ordinary. Its chassis and engine were bought new in the United States, then shipped to France where the renowned Paul Néé workshops in Levallois, near Paris, clad it in a fully bespoke body. The result is a striking Franco‑American roadster open‑top, finished in black and British Racing Green with a matching green leather interior, designed to a truly unique brief.

This brief originated from the current owner’s aunt, owner of the haute couture House “Irmone” on Paris’s prestigious Rue du Faubourg Saint‑Honoré. She commissioned the car specifically for the annual elegance contest of the Paris fashion houses in 1935 and is believed to have won the top prize. Photographic evidence of this triumph remains. The car has remained in the same family ever since, passing to the current owner in 1982, at a time when it was in a lamentable state: on its wheels, heavily corroded, with a seized engine.

What followed was a total restoration spanning more than a decade, encompassing the chassis, coachwork, mechanics, electricals, interior and hood. Since 1992 the car has been regularly driven, including a crossing to Wales by the Channel ferry. It now presents in very good general condition, still in a ventilated garage and regularly serviced. The seller describes it as unique, and given its distinctive French bodywork, its remarkable provenance and a family history extending over 90 years, this claim is likely well founded.

The seller states:

“This car is unique in its category. My aunt owned a haute couture house on Rue du Faubourg Saint‑Honoré in Paris, called ‘Irmone’. Born in 1900, she was 35 in 1935 and decided to enter the annual competition for elegance among the great Parisian fashion houses. Seeking modernity, she bought Ford’s latest V8 model then being introduced in the United States. She had the engine and chassis delivered to the Paul Nee atelier in Levallois, near Paris, because she was proud of the ‘Made in France’, even though that term did not exist at the time, and wanted to compete with a French car. Thus, she created a French‑American car.”

And she won the 1935 elegance prize, as shown by magnificent photos.

History and paperwork

First registration in 1935; chassis and engine purchased new in the United States
Custom coachwork by Paul Néé, Levallois, near Paris
Originally ordered by the current owner’s aunt, owner of the Haute Couture House “Irmone” on Rue du Faubourg Saint‑Honoré, Paris
Winner of the 1935 elegance concours of the Paris fashion houses: photographic evidence on file
Unique family ownership since new; only two people have driven it, according to the seller
Bequeathed to the current owner in 1982
Total restoration over more than 10 years, covering the chassis, coachwork, mechanics, electricals, interior and hood
Wooden chassis rebuilt in beech by a naval carpenter during the restoration
All electrical fittings renewed during restoration, including coil, points, wiper motor, dynamo, starter and distributor
Some new parts sourced from the United States during restoration, notably door handles and wing mirrors
Leather trim placed between each body panel during restoration to minimise vibration
Regular use since 1992, including a crossing to Wales by the Channel ferry
Regular maintenance with oil changes, tyre checks, lubrication and headlamp adjustment
Odometer reads approximately 57,073 km; the odometer is believed to have rolled over once
Exempt from the Technical Control (Controls)
Collection registration plate
Matching serial numbers confirmed by the seller

The condition

Two‑tone finish in black and British Racing Green; paintwork finished with several coats of filler sanded flat
All gauges in French, reflecting the bespoke French bodywork
Michelin tank rims with whitewall tyres
Original headlights re‑chromed and re‑installed; all chrome on the car is new
Ribbed rear seat (speeder) with bench, trimmed in green leather
Small folding seat available; can be removed to provide extra luggage space
Runs on 6V electrical system; headlights are not very bright by modern standards
A few small chips on the front bonnet and the ribbed seat cover
Seller notes doors remain concours‑level
Seller notes sides and doors are in very good condition; bonnet shows minor defects
The ribbed seat cover shows two or three small cracks and a larger crack under the spare wheel; the spare wheel cover is in very good condition
Windscreens and windscreen glass are original, with triple glazing—a notable curiosity for the era
Interiors present well; the leather and rubber trim have developed a nice patina
Saddle‑stitched seat chrome in very good condition
The maple wood on the two windows appears like new
Beech dashboard has cracked slightly from heat near the windscreen, giving it a characteristic patina
A discreet glovebox containing a safety oil‑pressure gauge
The windscreen wiper motor is rudimentary but functional; its slow operation is inherent to the design
The fuel gauge sender still needs connecting
More noisy with the roof in place, with the typical 1930s car vibrations

The mechanics

Ford flat‑head V8 engine rated at 21 HP (tax horsepower)
Three‑speed manual gearbox
Double clutch recommended for smooth gear changes
Weighs close to two tonnes; be prudent in bends and anticipate braking
Seller states overall mechanical condition is very good, regularly driven for over 30 years
Ignition can be capricious; ignition points may require attention, according to the seller
Seller describes the driving experience as a real pleasure, with smooth, quiet operation and a soft V8 note

BEFORE YOU BUY

Sale is subject to Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer you also accept the following points:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller, meaning consumer rights under European consumer protection laws do not apply. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions.

✓ We require payment of a non‑refundable fee if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted. See our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for the rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is” basis and without warranty. The photos and descriptions are for guidance only and it is customary to arrange a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer’s fees. VAT may or may not be included in the final offer price, as indicated in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction for you as well, and to that end we have every vehicle and motorcycle registered in the UK checked with an HPI to confirm they do not show any write‑offs or theft marks in the insurance databases and that there is no outstanding finance, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles have been written off as part of a total loss event at the time of listing on Car & Classic and we conveniently provide category labels for write‑offs (Cat C/D/S/N) to assist you. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always prudent to perform your own comprehensive vehicle history check before bidding.

✓ Buyers are responsible for collecting the vehicle

or arranging delivery. Importing vehicles may incur customs duties and additional import taxes, so it helps to check in advance. It is the bidder’s responsibility to confirm import eligibility before purchase.