Making its debut at the 1996 Mondial de L’Automobile (Paris Auto Salon), the De La Chapelle Roadster caused quite a stir. Shown alongside its maker's highly reputed Bugatti replicas, the Atalante and the Type 55 Roadster, it was a brand-new modern design: a mid-engine two-seater convertible. It was a radical departure from the company's prior products which, in addition to the Bugatti replicas, included a bizarre V12 powered "super minivan" called the "Parcours". It was hoped to have a wider appeal in the market.
The Roadster was designed by Lyon-based design studio, Barre Design, with chassis engineering by Jacques Hubert, ex-René Bonnet). The result was very attractive in a retro-nouveaux way with a voluptuous body that curved over the wheels in an undulating slim-hipped form. It was a design which managed to look both sensuous and yet muscular. With the engine located amidships, aft of the two seats, but ahead of the rear axle line, the layout was very modern, and was similar to that of the Porsche Boxster’s, which went on sale soon after in 1996.
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| The De La Chapelle Roadster |
With maximum power at 167bhp, and a curb weight around 2000lbs, the Roadster, was expected to top out at 140mph. Sharp handling and excellent dynamics made the Roadster a delight to drive. That power-to-weight ratio didn't hurt. The chassis consisted of a reinforced composite tub with tubular front and rear subframes and was independently sprung at all four corners. The entire drivetrain was from Peugeot, the engine, and the six-speed gearbox, as well as the half shafts were all from the compact 307.
With the Roadster, the company's namesake and owner Xavier De La Chapelle hoped to graduate from a boutique shop to a fully-fledged low volume sportscar maker. Given the thin margins inherent in using OEM sourced parts and the cost of local French labor, the company looked into offshoring the car's production to a country with cheaper wages. This locale turned out to be India and involved a pair of entrepreneurs, Shrikant Shah and Nikesh Thakkar, who would form DLC-Sagitta.
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| The De La Chapelle Roadster interior |
After a successful showing at the Indian Engineering Trade Fair (IETF), which took place during February 1997, the prototype was shipped back to France, so that a right-hand drive version with improved dashboard design, could be readied. Things looked very promising until one of the major investors in the project died unexpectedly. With that, the money dried up and the Roadster went with it.
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| The De La Chapelle Roadster, front 3/4 view |
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| The De La Chapelle Roadster, rear 3/4 view |
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| The De La Chapelle Roadster in profile |
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| The De La Chapelle Roadster with its top up |
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| The De La Chapelle Roadster, profile |
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| The De La Chapelle Roadster |
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| The De La Chapelle Roadster |
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| The De La Chapelle Roadster engine bay |
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| The De La Chapelle Roadster interior |
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