1936 Peugeot 402 Éclipse
To compete with the 1934 Citroën Traction Avant, Pegueot prepared an more radical design for the 402 called the Éclipse. This transformable coupe-cabriolet was the first of its kind by employing an retractable hardtop that was automatically concealed within the rear bodywork of the car.
Pourtout was largely responsible for the folding mechanism and all the cars were bodied at their workshops.
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| built at | France |
| body stylist | Georges Paulin |
| coachbuilder | Pourtout |
| production | 29 |
| engine | Inline-4 |
| valvetrain | SOHC 2 Valves / Cyl |
| fuel feed | Dual Zenith Carburetors |
| displacement | 1991 cc / 121.5 in³ |
| bore | 83 mm / 3.27 in |
| stroke | 92 mm / 3.62 in |
| compression | 7.4:1 |
| power | 52.2 kw / 70.0 bhp @ 4250 rpm |
| specific output | 35.16 bhp per litre |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front brakes | Drums |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| f suspension | Independent w/Transverse Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs, Hydraulic Shock Absorbers |
| r suspension | Live Rear Axle w/Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs, Hydraulic Shock Absorbers |
| transmission | 4-Speed Cotal Pre-Selector |
Auction Sales History
1936 Peugeot 402 Eclipse 616372 – sold for €193,104. The Peugeot 402 Éclipse on offer was delivered to its first owner in 1936. According to the registration documents, it appears that he kept the car until 1968. Between 1968 and 1971, the car was registered in Finistère with the number 512 PZ 29.
On 26 July 1971, it passed into the hands of a Mr Bernard Bouet, from Nançay, in Sologne. He retained the car until the date of its most recent registration, 21 December 2006, when the previous owner, a German Citroën dealer, acquired it through the intermediary of a dealer. The car was then in ‘barn find’ condition, original and complete, but in poor condition. The owner threw himself into restoring this rare find, using the considerable resources of his own workshops.
The car was taken to bits and the bodywork was rebuilt and re-sprayed. The interior and the engine were also brought back to life, and today this car is presented in a beautifully restored condition. The judges at the 2012 Schloss Bensberg concours d’élégance in Germany made no mistake in awarding the car first in class. Auction Source: Rétromobile 2015 by Artcurial Motorcars
1937 Peugeot 402 Éclipse 618502 – sold for €119,200. Between 1957 and 1973, the car on offer resided in the department of Lot and between 1973 and 2013 it belonged to an enthusiast mechanic living in Meauzac, in the Tarn-et-Garonne area. In his hands, the car enjoyed a second youth, and was restored on a sound base. He then sold the car to the present owner, and so it has had just three owners since 1957. The exterior presentation, with two-tone green paintwork, is elegant, and the magnificent upholstery displays a lovely patina, that could be the original leather. The painted metallic dashboard is in superb condition and there are matching carpets. The Éclipse is a unique car : a rare model with an originality that was distinctive when it was produced, and remains so today. Auction Source: Rétromobile 2015 by Artcurial Motorcars
1936 Peugeot 402 Éclipse Coupe-Cabriolet 616372. The Peugeot 402 Éclipse on offer was delivered to its first owner in 1936. According to the registration documents, it appears that he kept the car until 1968. Between 1968 and 1971, the car was registered in Finistère with the number 512 PZ 29. On 26 July 1971, it passed into the hands of a Mr Bernard Bouet, from Nançay, in Sologne. He retained the car until the date of its most recent registration, 21 December 2006, when the current owner acquired it through the intermediary of a specialist dealer. The car was then in ‘barn find’ condition, original and complete, but in poor condition. The owner threw himself into restoring this rare find, using the considerable resources of his own workshops. The car was taken to bits and the bodywork was rebuilt and re-sprayed.
The interior and the engine were also brought back to life, and today this car is presented in a beautifully restored condition. The judges at the 2012 Schloss Bensberg concours d’élégance in Germany made no mistake in awarding the car first in class. This is undoubtedly one of the most stunning Peugeot 402 Éclipses in circulation. It is ready to take to the road, win concours events and wow the crowds with its retractable hardtop that was so ahead of its time. With such a limited number of these models built (thought to be 29 surviving examples), the presence of this Éclipse in our sale provides a unique opportunity. Auction Source: Artcurial Motorcars à 2013 Rétromobile
