06/18/2026
◇ The 1938 Graham Model 97 Supercharged Cabriolet is a rare collaboration between American engineering and French coachbuilding. It is built on Graham's radical "Spirit of Motion" chassis, nicknamed the "Sharknose" for its distinctive forward-leaning grille and swept-back front fenders. The design was the final creation of Amos Northrup, an early pioneer in automotive aerodynamics. The car's jutting prow and curved fenders made it as close to an abstract work of art as production automobile design ever dared reach.
◇ French coachbuilder Jacques Saoutchik crafted the custom bodywork, debuting the car on his stand at the 1938 Paris Salon. It is believed to be one of only two existing examples configured this way. The car features a complex patented system of cantilevered parallel-opening doors, licensed from British coachbuilder James Young. The doors pop outward and slide rearward parallel to the body, similar to a modern minivan door. It also features a short folding windshield and a distinctive integrated rear deck fin.
◇ Under the dramatic Art Deco curves sits a 217.8 cubic inch L-head inline six-cylinder engine with a factory crankshaft-driven supercharger, producing 116 horsepower. The car has a storied history, serving as a French Army staff car in Algeria during World War II. After a spectacular restoration, it debuted at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, winning a class award. It also won Best of Show at the Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Ontario, Canada. The car sold for $770,000 at auction.
[Disclaimer: This image is for illustrative purposes only.]
