Louwman Museum shows unique film duo during Prewar Days
Following their debut at the Veteran Car Run from London to Brighton earlier this month, the automobile protagonists from the famous family film Genevieve return to the Louwman Museum, but not without first making an exclusive stopover in Kortrijk. During the Pre-War Days at the Kortrijk Xpo, the Darracq 12 hp Genevieve and the Spyker 12-16 HP Double Phaeton will shine in their original movie outfits.
Whereas the Darracq 12 hp Genevieve has been identical to the movie car for decades, the Spyker 12-16 HP Double Phaeton was returned to its original factory specification after its appearance on the silver screen. Until early this year, the Dutch car was coloured dark green and had a windscreen and a large soft top at the back. Even after its first major restoration in the late 1960s, the Spyker retained its original factory livery, which was different from the light colour scheme in the film. Because of its special film appearance and permanent association with its counterpart in Genevieve, the owner of the Louwman Museum decided to return the Spyker to its film appearance. Under the dark green paint, the film colour is discovered, just like on the chassis. After an intensive restoration lasting several months, the Spyker now looks like a fellow protagonist from the film movie Genevieve again.
In 2023, it will be exactly 70 years since the film Genevieve premiered in England. The fictional story is about two men with a classic automobile, with which they compete. During the duel, the men are no longer about the fastest car, it becomes a personal battle. This is under the watchful eye of their female partners, who are annoyed by their companions’ behaviour. The result is a comical depiction of a race, with the men and ladies getting into laughable situations. The automobile protagonists are played by a Darracq 12-HP and a Spyker 12-16 Double Phaeton. Of particular note in the film is that the 1904 Darracq is driven by John Gregson, in the film lawyer Alan McKim, who cannot drive a car at all. That the car survived the film is shown by the fact that it is now in the Louwman Museum collection.
The Darracq 12 HP Genevieve and Spyker 12-16 hp Double Phaeton will be on display during the 3rd edition of Prewar Days from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 December 2023. This special fair is entirely dedicated to the prewar car and motorbike industry. The organisers will fill more than 6,000m² of exclusive prewar oldtimers, motorbikes, automobilia and parts with exhibitors from 8 different European countries at Kortrijk Xpo.
For more information: www.prewardays.be.
Info: Prewar Days 2023 from 1 to 3 December at Kortrijk Xpo.
Contact: Michael Bossaert +32 497 80 31 41 – Lawrence Bossaert +32 493 76 77 61 – mail: info@prewardays.be