The Devaux V8

Old-World Allure meets Modern Engineering

Pete Weishaupt
2 min readMay 16, 2024

One glimpse of the Devaux V8 Coupe and you’re transported back in time, caught in a whirlwind of 1930s French Art Deco ecstasy. But this is no rusty relic pulled from a French country barn, this is the creation of visionary Australian designer David Clash — who has managed to meld old-world allure with modern engineering. Or to put it another way, pure sex on wheels.

The heart of the beast is a 5.7L V8 Chevy engine with 361hp that puts down 470 Nm of torque. But for all the brawn, the Devaux weighs in at a mere 2,480 pounds, thanks to hand-laminated fiberglass stretched over a steel skeleton. The long, sleek bonnet and oval-shaped grill are more than just features, they make a statement. And the large ‘wing-pontoons’ are enough to stop the beating heart of anyone who happens to catch a glance of them through their rear-view mirror.

Underneath this rolling work of art is a fully-adjustable stainless steel double wishbone setup at the front, with a live axle cradled by trailing arms and a Panhard rod at the rear. It’s stanced on 16-inch wire wheels. The cockpit greets you with aviation leather seats that whisper luxury, and the rest of the cabin is a feast of wood and polished aluminum trim that echoes promises of grandeur.

The Devaux V8 Coupe isn’t just a car. It’s a statement. It’s a rare jewel, meticulously crafted with an elegance that’s almost forgotten in today’s automotive world. For those fortunate enough to grip its wheel, it’s a journey through time, wrapped in the trappings of luxury and speed.

Photo by: Wmeinhart CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo by: Wmeinhart CC BY-SA 3.0

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