Three Graham Cabriolets

The Graham brand was fighting for its existence in the late 1930s.  One of its final calls for drastic action was the 1938 "Shark Nose" model designed in part by Amos Northup.  It was an interesting design that I like.  Sales were poor and Graham's next move was to base its cars on Cord bodies.

For model year 1938 Graham offered only four-door sedans.  A two-door "Combination Coupe" was added for 1939.  There were no production convertibles offered either year.  However, two of the 1938-39 Grahams shipped to Europe received custom cabriolet bodies by French carrosseries Saoutchik and Pourtout.

Finally, there was a third Graham convertible coupe built.   This was in the United States under Graham's auspices, according to Internet sources.

Gallery

1938 Graham 4-door sedan - for sale photo
Here is an example of a Shark Nose Graham.

1938 Graham Cabriolet by Saoutchik - at Cannes
When this car was new.

1938 Graham Cabriolet by Saoutchik - photo via RM Sotheby's
As the car looked recently.

1939 Graham 97 Cabriolet by Pourtout - Artcurial auction photo
It was delivered in June 1939 to the father of writer Françoise Sagan, as reported here.

The Saoutchik beltline dip is exaggerated by a touch of dark paint.  The windshield is flat, one-piece, unlike the V'd windshields on the Pourtout and stock Grahams.

The Pourtout features the typical 1930s French downward curving beltline.  Also, the back seat appears to be eliminated.  For some reason Pourtout's side chrome strip is nearly identical to that of Saoutchik's Graham, a car that was probably built earlier.

Rear quarter view.

The Saoutchik Graham has a sculpted tail fin on its trunk lid.  The running boards are more prominent than those on Pourtout's car.

Another dramatic Saoutchik touch is the door opening.

Pourtout Graham with its top down.

1939 Graham Convertible Coupe - unknown source
This is the American example.  Note its American style horizontal beltline.