Solved - MJW #051 - Dechaux Saloon proposal drawn by Roger Brard 1947

[woodinsight]

This is a new MJW #051 as the original was a repost (it was Mike Forrest's Citycar from 1967).

So for this new puzzle I'm offering three points!

One for the name of the car/builder plus the year it was first presented as a chassis only.
One for the name of the designer.
One for the type of engine it used - full answer please.

[woodinsight]

I know it's only been a few days for the rookies but I think this one may be difficult.
So I'm moving it up for the experts to have a look at.

[franck.kegelart]

It is a sketch of a six-cylinder car by french engineer Charles Dechaux in 1947 ; the same year, at the Paris Auto Show, Dechaux introduced a naked frame, but with a four-cylinder engine ; this six-cylinder remained a sketch.

[woodinsight]

All that you have stated is correct.
It is a sketch for a proposed six cylinder Dechaux.
The chassis appeared at the Paris Salon in 1947 with a 4 cylinder engine.

I can give you one point at the moment for naming the car and date.
I'll give you another if you can describe the engine (4 cyl or proposed 6 cyl) in a bit more detail
(i.e. - in-line, watercooled, etc.)
Finally I need the name of the man who drew the lines for the body of the saloon for the last point.

Locked for you for 24 hours.

[franck.kegelart]

Well, the four-cylinder was inline, transverse-mounted and air-cooled, with the valves in head ; he had a stroke of 100 mm and with different bores, he could have a displacement of 1500, 1800 or 2000 cm³ ; the car was front-wheel drive, with an automatic gearbox.

Unfortunately, I don't know who designed the sketch of the six-cylinder.

[woodinsight]

Okay, thanks Franck - two points for you.

One point still remains for who penned the body for the six-cylinder.

[yves]

Body design by Philippe Charbonneaux ?

[woodinsight]

No - not him

[woodinsight]

Although this has been partially solved by Franck.Kegelart there is still one point up for grabs for who penned the sketch of the body for the six-cyl. saloon Dechaux.

I have added a small image of the 4-cyl. chassis as it appeared at the Paris Salon in 1947.



Moving it up to the pros now.

[Allemano]

Now I know where I've seen it before. I saw it on another forum, obviousely erroneously captioned as "1947 Delechaux Cord Prototype".
They seem not to know the origins of this sketch, but if there IS a Cord connection, could it be penned by Gordon Buehrig? (I highly doubt that, but have no other clue...)

Or is it maybe another April's fool story?  

[woodinsight]

Don't worry this is not another (unintentional) April Fool's Joke.

The name I have (initials R.B.) appears to be the name of the illustrator of the design thoughts of M. Dechaux.
He has illustrated several books - futuristic trains, etc. and I haven't found any other automotive designs by him.

Nothing to do with Gordon Buehrig or Cord as far I am aware although they may have inspired the ideas.

My source comes from a respected French Automotive magazine that is sadly no longer published.

It may be difficult to pin this one down but I'll leave it open for a while in case anyone finds it and earns another point.

[Otto Puzzell]

This car was featured in an ACD Newsletter many years ago, so there is likely some connection.

[woodinsight]

If it's any help, the designer of the Dechaux saloon also drew the railcar below
(still a point on offer for his name)

[yves]

Paul Arzens.

[woodinsight]

Yves - not that.
His initials are R.B.

[woodinsight]

I'm putting this one into the BH as the Pro puzzles are mounting up in numbers.
Don't forget though that one point is still on offer for the name of the person who drew this proposed saloon body.

[hondast]

  René Bonnet?

[João]

  René Bonnet?

with a guess :

Roger Braus?

[Wendax]

Or is it Roger Beard?

[woodinsight]

Apologies Hondast, I missed your guess. However it's not Rene Bonnet.

[woodinsight]

Joao and Wendax - you are both very close.

First name is correct - Roger.

Joao - you have two letters wrong in the surname.
Wendax - you have one letter wrong in the surname.

To give you both an equal chance (Joao is in a different time zone), I'll lock this puzzle for 12 hours when you are both likely to be online at the same time.

[Wendax]

It is Roger Brard.

[Wendax]

Another nice illustration by Brard:

[woodinsight]

Roger Brard is correct.

I had locked the puzzle for 12 hours until Joao had a chance to compete.
Anyway, Wendax was the closest with his first guess so I'll award him the point.
Sorry, Joao you were also very close.

[João]

No problem