Darl’Mat is well known to Peugeot enthusiasts for his work in perfecting the marque's passenger cars. Before specialising in Peugeots, Émile Darl’Mat – a Peugeot dealer in Paris – aimed to design his own affordable and sophisticated sports car. With the Peugeot 302 and 402, equipped with the new “Fuseau Sochaux” line, he saw an opportunity to realise his dream.

Lighter in weight, the Peugeot 302 served as the basis for the sports car, driven by the mechanics of the more powerful Peugeot 402. Darl'Mat appealed to certain of his partners to contribute to creating the look of a racing car. The design is credited to Georges Paulin, inventor of the retractable hardtop, now called "coupé-cabriolet" at Peugeot.

The factory approached Darl’Mat to guide the project's progress without undue interference. Peugeot supported the dealer's participation in races by providing chassis and engines, and seized the opportunity to create an exclusive line of 105 Darl'Mat 302s and 402s.

Darl'Mat's moment in the spotlight came at the 1937 24 Hours of Le Mans. The mission was clear: to prove the reliability and sturdiness of the work executed by Peugeot's mechanics and promote the sales of production cars. The drivers achieved a remarkable performance by finishing seventh, eighth and 10th.

The following year, despite race instructions, the drivers followed their competitive instincts and fought fiercely against their German opponents. After a bitter battle, two of the three cars failed to make it to the chequered flag. The last car, driven by Charles de Cortanze and Maurice Serre, finished fifth overall and won the class for Peugeot.

The temporary Peugeot Exhibition: Allure Le Mans is available for viewing at the 24 Hours Museum until 30 September.

For more info, go to the 24 Hours Museum website.