Louis Réard introduced the bikini in 1946–but a great invention only becomes legendary with promotion behind it, right? What better way to promote the bikini than with a yacht? But yachts are bound to water, limiting marketing opportunities. Not this one. Enter the land-faring yacht built on a Packard Super Eight.
Réard started out as an automotive engineer, so he knew the value of the good ole automobile. He commissioned famed coachbuilder Henri Chapron to create a land yacht to market the bikini. While a Hotchkiss was considered for the foundation, the Packard Super Eight provided a much suitable base. With all that bodywork, they needed the umph from an 8-cylinder engine.
Last seen in the public at the 1987 Retromobile Show, it has emerged after nearly 40 years away. Artcurial says it’s in “remarkably well-preserved condition” and was “recently restarted,” but later concedes it will “require a full service before considering a new Tour de France.”
Find this 1937 / 1948 Packard Super Eight “Yacht” by Chapron for auction at Artcurial, with an estimated value of €250,000-€350,000 (approximately $260,000-$370,000 USD).
