1935 Hispano Suiza.
The 1925 Paris Exhibition, the kickoff of the entire movement, the centenary we’re celebrating this year, represents a convergence of consumer demand, manufacturing capability and industrial design, yet it had no automobile manufacturer display. But themes introduced at the fair, incorporating design to everyday objects, had a profound influence on automobiles. While Art Deco design influenced all manufactures in Europe and the States, we’re focusing today on France.
From the strategic, investor driven demands that set the stage for the coachbuilt Delahayes to the mortality driven decisions motivating Andre Citroen, to the changes in global economics that ultimately ended the era, we'll gain insight into the unique convergence of demand, design and engineering incubating the Art Deco movement. We'll focus on peak Art Deco, the 1930's and 1940's, the leaders, their achievements and their lasting influence on automobile design.
Our speaker is John Roth, formerly of the Mullin Automotive Museum. See more below.
Our Members Scott and Carolyn Leibow will show their Delahaye at the event! See below for details on this very Art Deco French automobile.
Our lecture will take place at Hagerty Social, a car club where we will have room to display some vintage cars for the enjoyment of our guests. If you have a 1920s or 30s car that you would like to display, please contact us!
The lecture will be repeated twice to maximize the number of attendees. Tickets will be offered at a 1:00 -2:30 PM or 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM session. In between the two sessions is a musical interlude (2:30 - 3:30 PM) for all attendees to enjoy mingling, viewing vintage cars and a live performance by EPC Jazz Group, playing favorites from the American Songbook.
If you have vintage motoring clothing, please wear it so we can admire it!
PLACE YOUR ORDER IN ADVANCE FOR C.K. FARNSWORTH’S REFRESHMENTS! AVAILABLE BEFORE OR AFTER YOUR LECTURE TIME.
Doors open for the 1:00pm lecture at 12:30pm. A musical interlude will take place from 2:30 - 3:30pm. At this time, refreshments will be available from C.K. Farnsworth. You may order in advance and pay by venmo or zelle. Email C.K. Farnsworth for more information.
Tickets are non-refundable. Please make certain that you have purchased tickets to the session that you want. We cannot change tickets to another session after purchase.
Parking is free in the club’s private parking lot.
JOHN ROTH
John Roth considers himself a student of manufacturing and automotive history. His exposure to the inner workings of automobiles started in his father’s garage as a boy. Upon retirement John got involved with the great (now closed) Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard where the the exhibits included the rich history of Art Deco automobiles.
“I've had a lifelong fascination with machines, with trying to understand how things work, which is to a great degree the simplest definition of an engineer. It has defined my career and my passion for automobiles. It has been foundational to 40 years spent manufacturing a range of machines, custom process machinery, cnc machine tools and robotic automation. Much of it serving the automotive industry.
At the Mullin, I had the privilege of guiding quests in the museum and representing the cars at several concours d’elegance. The experience, along with access to the archives, served to sharpen my focus on the challenges the manufacturers faced and the social implications of Art Deco era automobiles. How we relate to the automobile is a reflection of culture, the regulatory environment, manufacturing capability, socio economic position. Developing an understanding of the forces shaping technology provides us with a much clearer picture of the past, understanding of our present and better insight into our future. “
— John Roth
Scott and Carolyn Leibow’s Delahaye Alphonse Guilloré 1948 model.
DELAHAYE “ESTEREL”
Delahaye was a manufacturer of cars from the 1890’s through the 1950’s. The 135 series deputed in 1935 and about 2000 were made between 1935 and 1955. As was usual with car manufacturers of the time, Delahaye made the chassis and drive train, while the bodies and interiors were made by talented coach builders. The original purchaser of the car chose the coach builders, styling details and colors.
My car was built by Alphonse Guilloré in France after WWII. Car companies in France did not make cars between 1939 and 1945. Guillore’ designed this body and called it “Esterel.” There were about 10 of this style made. This car was shown at the Paris Motor Show in 1948 as a 1949 model. The car was owned and driven in France. Sometime in the 1980’s the car was shipped to the USA (California). it was restored and painted black around that time. The car stayed in the USA for a while and eventually was gifted to the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum in Hershey Pennsylvania. The car was displayed there into the 2000’s until the museum needed space for new displays. This Delahaye then traveled back to France where it went into a private collection until 2024 when it came up for sale again. Scott and Carolyn Leibow purchased the car and brought it back to the USA for the second time. The car retains its original chassis, frame and engine number from when it left the factory.
Scott’s love affair with cars is lifelong. He describes it like this: “I am half of a team, my wife Carolyn and I have been together since we were teenagers. I had a love affair with cars since I was born, my father was in the import car business in the ‘60’s though the 90’s and sold everything from Alfa Romeo to Porsche at a time when not many of these cars were imported into the USA. Carolyn and I love unique and rare cars and want to preserve the heritage of these lesser know models. We are both very interested in Art Deco style and the Delahaye was the perfect fit.”