Vehicle No.

1701 2097


Engine No.

B319355A



In the matter of a few short years, young American designers Tom Hibbard and Howard "Dutch" Darrin built a stellar reputation from their Paris-based coachbuilding firm Hibbard & Darrin.

When Hibbard departed for a job at GM in 1931, Darrin stayed behind, partnering with financier J.

Fernandez and carrying on as Fernandez et Darrin.

But by the mid-1930s, a declining customer base and rapidly deteriorating political climate in France saw Darrin close shop and return to the USA.



Settling in Hollywood, California, Darrin wasted little time reestablishing his business.

His close friend Darryl F.

Zanuck was a vice-president at Twentieth Century Fox Studios, affording Darrin direct access to a new pool of wealthy, style-conscious clients.

With a convincing French accent he could switch on at will, he was often introduced as "Howard Darrin of Paris" (he was, in fact, from New Jersey), adding a touch of continental charm to his repertoi...