The Saoutchik coachbuilding company is reborn after 70 years with the 300 GTC, a reinterpretation of the Mercedes 300 SL

Jacques Saoutchik, born as Iakov Savtchuk, was a young Russian who arrived in France at an early age and who over time became one of the most important and extravagant coachbuilders in Europe, a trade he entered after being an apprentice cabinetmaker. Saoutchik, the name by which his company was also known, established its headquarters in Paris in 1906 and quickly became famous among clients who did not mind paying whatever it cost to own one of his bodies.

This coachbuilding company devoted itself to entirely handcrafted and arguably exclusive work, because Saoutchik liked to work with a small team of professionals and could only accept two orders per week. As you can imagine, this exclusivity comes at a price, and those who could afford it had as donor vehicles true jewels; that is why Saoutchik’s catalogue includes beauties from every brand, such as the Hispano-Suiza H6C Dubonnet Xenia, the futuristic Delahaye 175 S Roadster, the Pegaso Z-102 in Berlinetta and Cabriolet versions, or the Mercedes-Benz 680 S with torpedo body, among many others.

In its early works Saoutchik made massive use of nickel, and around 1920 chrome was its star product, all accompanied by exquisite design and the introduction of some of its own patents, such as the folding roof. Its success was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War and, once it was over, Saoutchik resumed its activity until 1950, when his son, Pierre Saoutchik, took over the business. Pierre’s line and working philosophy were the same as his father’s, but after the war its fame was never the same again, and the company was drowned in debts and unpaid bills, so in 1955 it had to take the difficult decision to declare the company bankrupt.

Now the Saoutchik brand is rising from its ashes to once again do what its founder knew best and, although for the moment information is trickling out, there are already photographs of what will be the first project of this new beginning. Mind you, the inspiration is no ordinary car; it is an icon such as the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, reinterpreted on the basis of a current Mercedes-Benz SL. If you like it, you can already have a few banknotes in the bank and be quick to get hold of one, since the brand will not create more than 15 units of this exclusive Saoutchik 300 GTC.

The Saoutchik 300 GTC will surely spark debate about whether it is an appropriate reinterpretation, but what is undeniable is that it will attract considerable attention, largely thanks to the front with its round light cluster and a grille bearing the Saoutchik badge in large dimensions. Also from the front we can observe the modification made to the front wheel arches, clearly inspired by the 300 SL, although it will not be the only detail that pays homage to such an illustrious Mercedes-Benz model, since on the sides we can see the classic vents. At the rear it is also completely modified, even with a bespoke tailgate, all seasoned with generous doses of chrome on the diffuser, the inserts and the eye-catching 22-inch wheels.

Inside, as happens with this kind of work, it is expected to be highly customisable according to the ideas of the future owners, who will surely also have under the bonnet a powerful petrol engine of AMG origin. For now we will have to wait for Saoutchik to release more details, most of which are still a mystery.