Description
This car is Lot 152 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at the Goodwood Members' Meeting Sale on the 13th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Saturday 12th April from 09:00 until 17:00 and Sunday 13 April from 09:00, at Goodwood Members' Meeting.
Lot 152
1935 Peugeot 601D Cabriolet
Registration no. AFG 731
Chassis no. 712728
One of only two 601D Cabriolets known to survive
The only right-hand drive example
Only two (family) owners from new
Professional restoration completed in 2007
Just under 12, 000 miles from new
The year 1934 saw the introduction of Peugeot's top-of-the-range (although short-lived) 601, which was powered by a 2, 148cc sidevalve six and featured independent front suspension and a synchromesh gearbox. "The Peugeot 601 can only be compared to cars costing twice as much," declared its maker in describing what would turn out to be Peugeot's last large six-cylinder luxury car for 40 years.
Manufactured from September 1934 to July 1935, the 601D Cabriolet was exhibited at the Concours d'Élégance in the summer of 1934 and was said to be at once "impressive, silent in running, and economic".
Of the 3, 999 examples of the Peugeot 601 built between February 1934 and July 1935, only 511 were completed with some form of open coachwork. Only some 30-or-so 601s are believed to exist today, making it one of the rarest Peugeots of the inter-war period. This car is one of only two known remaining examples of the 601D Cabriolet and the only one in right-hand drive. (The other 601D Cabriolet is left-hand drive, finished in Black with a Red interior, and is at the Peugeot l'Aventure Museum in Sochaux, France.)
'AFG 731' has been owned by only two families from new. The car was originally purchased in February 1935 from Peugeot Paris by Captain Michael Wemyss (later Lord Wemyss) in right-hand drive configuration and imported into Scotland. The original purchase documentation and original French handbook supplied at the time are on file. The car remained in the Wemyss family's possession on their estate until bought by the vendor and their late partner, Phil Clatworthy, from the grandson of the late Lord Wemyss in September 1999.
The Peugeot had covered an exceptionally low mileage (11, 731), which included making one trip to Prague around 1937. The car's general condition was good and it was complete except for the rear bumper, but it was in need of full restoration. Phil Clatworthy, who was a founder member of Club Peugeot UK and its Chairman for 25 years, commissioned a ground-upwards restoration. This was carried out by Connoisseur Automobile Restorations, Prestige Coach Trimming, Geo. Inc Paint Specialists, and Clanfield Coachbuilding. The restoration was carried out over eight years and was completed in late 2007.
The engine was rebuilt by Eric O'Hara, a specialist in restoration work, and there are detailed workshop notes, photographs and related invoices totalling £9, 900 available. Restoration invoices totalling £127, 872, together with detailed workshop notes and extensive stage-by-stage photographs are available, as well as pre-restoration images. The exterior colour and interior have been kept as they were originally, and Phil applied to the Kithead Trust to enable the original registration to be used. On 26th July 2004 an Attestation was obtained from Peugeot in Paris and the car also comes with an MoT certificate for 2007/ 08. The car is in running order and was last taken out in 2024. The current mileage is just under 12, 000.
The owners have very much enjoyed restoring and driving the 601: "It is both elegant and luxuriously comfortable and it has been much admired on our many outings in it. Being extremely rare, it always attracts a lot of attention, and few classic car enthusiasts in the UK have seen the model before.
"Sadly, Phil Clatworthy passed away in 2020 and was not able to enjoy more trips in the 601. He was a passionate collector and extremely knowledgeable of the Peugeot marque, having owned several classic Peugeots over more than 40 years. Although we attended many international meetings in that period with our Peugeots, we did not take the 601 Cabriolet out of the UK."
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
