Thank you to a friend who forwarded this image (see below). Rudolph and Natacha, side by side, test driving their new vehicles in the Bois de Boulogne in 1923. This image is particularly interesting to me because we see Natacha's custom two-seated Isotta Fraschini Cabriolet. The vehicle was shipped to New York and sold when the Valentino's moved back to Los Angeles. George Ullman reports how Natacha was the envy of all Manhattan in that luxury car.
Renato informs me all Isotta Fraschinis were custom made and the company only sold the chassis and engine. The expense was extreme as by today's exchange rate it would cost @$165,000. After purchasing the Isotta Fraschini chassis and engines, the bodies of both of these vehicles were custom-crafted by Voisin.
Rudy is seen here (below) test driving his purchase of a Voisin roadster. Doesn't the “driver” in the back seat look bored in both of the images? I bet he wishes he was at home with a good bottle of French wine!
