This is a real unicorn - one of the most advanced cars of its era, and still a really impressive piece of kit today by most standards. Introduced by Société des Moteurs Salmson in Autumn 1932, the the Salmson S4 was the company's sole model for much of its 20 years on the market, and was packed so full of tech that the pretty little executive car almost became its own undoing.

The French taxation system was an interesting thing at the time - and the powerful yet dinky little four-cylinder engine was a race-winner while costing no more tax than the Peugeot 302. Their Aero engine was a remarkable thing for its day, too, with a twin overhead camshaft, hemispherical piston heads with centrally-positioned spark plugs, a strengthened crankshaft and advanced castings. That alone would be an immensely responsive set-up for the discerning motorist - but it wasn't where it ended.

The gearbox is a bit of a wonder. The electromagnetic 4-speed "Cotal Preselector transmission" is sort of a vintage precursor to the modern Tiptronic, and eliminated the need of a clutch. The result wasn't only an even roomier, cleaner cabin, but a laid back, particularly leisurely experience for motorists that had grown used to wrestling with the crunchy manuals that were so commonplace across Europe at the time.

Sadly, while Salmson were exceptional innovators, they weren't particularly great marketers. Reviews were exceptional, and anybody who took on one of the S4s was immensely pleased with it, but the car never achieved the fame it rightfully deserved, nor did the company's capacity or equipment improve. Much of this can be prescribed to the war, which led to the factories being mothballed rather than taken on by military usage. The car was too complicated for the military, and the factory too small for munitions.

When it returned, it did so largely unchanged - still highly technically advanced, and still highly impressive. The economy was no longer sufficient to support it, and the company wound down its automobile division - eventually ceasing production in 1952, with a highly impressive (if unjustly small) legacy.

Now, a survivor is extremely rare - especially the final-year release cars, of which only 200 are known to have been built. Is it little wonder we're so fascinated to see this one? Beautifully presented, and having spent 30 years on exhibition in the South of France, this fascinating, rust-free example is still a very smart looker, and is driving as well as ever it has.

Not one to be missed - and perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, to boot.

BEFORE YOU BUY 

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