It's a Genuine "Dutch" Darrin... Who Knew?... [PIC]

Freelance automotive stylist Howard "Dutch" Darrin started making his French connection as a fighter pilot in WWl. He had teamed up with Howard Hibbard (who had established LeBaron Coachworks) and they set up a studio/factory outside of Paris. When the Depression found them under capitalized, the company was dissolved. In 1931, Darrin met J. Fernandez, a wealthy banker who had a custom furniture factory and occasional coach builder. Together, Carrosserie Fernandez et Darrin (1932-1937) set up a very successful business with the capital to actually buy the chassis direct from the automakers thereby increasing their profits. Their finished custom cars sold between $10000 and $40000 depending upon whether the chassis was theirs. In 1938, flush with capital, Darrin moved to Hollywood, where the celebrity class was eager for his designs.

The Hispano-Suiza J12 Type 68, made in France from 1931 to 1938, when they ceased auto production to make aircraft engines, was the largest and most expensive luxury car made at the time with its 9.4 liter OHV V12. darrin's creation for this chassis was a Three-Position Drophead Coupe. This early, low tech Danbury Mint model, despite the rubbery top and applique dash, does the car justice with actual leather upholstery being a nice feature.