“From Passion to Perfection – the Story of French Streamlined Styling – 1930-1939” is author Richard S. Adatto’s fresh and exciting look at the stunning aerodynamic automobiles produced in France in the decade before World War II. This book, enhanced by the beautiful photographs of Jean Paul Caron, records the evolution of streamlined styling from the first concept of the Tear Drop to its final moment at the New York World Fair in 1939.

Adatto’s account has been enriched by the vivid descriptions of life in a coachbuilding shop provided by Claude Figoni and Claude Pourtout, sons of France’s premier coachbuilders Joseph Figoni and Marcel Pourtout. The history of Georges Paulin, designer of the famous Embiricos Bentley and member of the French Resistance, is made public for the first time. In addition, the author’s research has led to the discovery of previously unknown cars, whose histories are now included in this book. Finally, the book gives us a close look at the members of the intimate world of French coachbuilding: the craftsmen, designers and coachbuilders and those rich and famous members of society who commissioned and bought these automotive beauties. Featured are the chassis manufacturers of some of the finest cars ever built: Peugeot, Delahaye, Talbot-Lago, Delage, Bugatti, Bentley and others.

“From Passion to Perfection” is lavishly illustrated with 449 color photos by photographer Jean Paul Caron, plus 91 vintage black and white images, many never previously published, as well as 41 original documents. Richard Adatto is one of the world’s experts on French aerodynamic cars. He sits on the Advisory Board of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and for over 20 years has been a judge at Pebble Beach and at Meadow Brook Hall.

Characteristics of the book:

  • ISBN 2-912838-22-3
  • Size 24 cms. x 32 cms.
  • 288 pages, with an embossed, cloth-covered hard cover and a glossy jacket with illustrations
  • Price: U.S. $99.00 plus shipping and handling
  • Publisher: SPE Barthélémy, 10 rue de la Procession, 75015 Paris, France.

This Book is Currently Sold Out! Please E-mail carolyn@adattoconstruction.com to get on the waiting list for a reprint!