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Details
1937 DELAHAYE 135M DROPHEAD
COACHWORK BY FIGONI AND FALASCHI
Chassis No.
Engine No.
Body No.
Claret with lilac leather interior
Engine: 6 cylinder, 3,558cc, 160bhp at 4,200rpm; Gearbox: manual four speed competition; Suspension: independent front with transverse leaf springs, semi-elliptic rear; Brakes: four wheel drums all around. Right hand drive.
With the introduction of the "Superluxe" car in 1936, Delahaye quickly rebounded from its past poor sales of the 1920s. The new 'Superluxe' Delahaye was offered with two powerplants, a 4 and 6 cylinder engine, the latter of which was used in the special competition models. The early success of the 'Superluxe' was largely due to the 1935 merger of French automaker Delage and compatriot Delahaye. The union of these two independent firms allowed for a larger client pool, greater name recognition and an increased design team. The Delage marque was predominantly known for its amazingly graceful coachbuilt bodies and luxurious appointments. The first of the conglomerate corporation cars, the 135, was sent to Montlhery, France, where it went on to break 18 world records. The competition Delahaye featured a streamlined body and the larger, more powerful 6 cylinder engine and when compared with a Bugatti, its reasonable cost created a stir in both France and the United Kingdom. The new Delahayes were released to the public with positive acceptance. The combination of the characteristic Delahaye styling paired with the equally luxurious appointments and the smart engineering and mechanics of Delahaye made the car a natural success. In the November 29, 1938, issue of The Motor magazine, the Delahaye 135MS was subjected to a severe and thorough road test. The review was more than favorable, ".....with the competition model Delahaye we covered 1,000 miles in three days, many of them just for the sheer pleasure of driving it. There are very few cars which offer such superb road holding and steering, such performance, and such instantly responsive controls."
The 1939 Delahayes wore streamlined coachbuilt bodies created by renowned firms such as Figoni and Falaschi, Franay, Chapron, Letourneur et Marchand, Saoutchik, and in England, by Carlton. The Delahaye 135 was a mechanically excellent car highlighted by its stylish carroserie. The myriad of standard options presented on the 135M made this car a true luxury automobile, perhaps one of France's most beautiful and original touring cars ever built.
Though there were many coachbuilders who worked with the Delahaye chassis', few were as creative, inventive and artistic as the French firm of Figoni and Falschi. Joseph Figoni had developed an impressive resume of work by the time he joined forces with Ovidio Falaschi in 1935 and the two immediately went to work on a Delahaye chassis to debut at the Paris Salon in 1936. Purchased right off the stand at the Salon by Aly Khan, the Figoni and Falaschi cars were an instanteous success as word of mouth credited the two man design team for their attractive and seductive creations. After a lucrative and productive year the two returned to the Paris Salon in 1937 with a trademark Figoni and Falaschi aerodynamic design, where, as many automotive publications of the time report, the Delahaye was the most popular car that year. With French coachwork at its pinnacle during those years, Joseph Figoni and Ovidio Falaschi were at the top of their art, and designs employed on the Delahaye 135 chassis were undoubtedly the most impressive.
Of the limited production Figoni and Falaschi bodies few are as elegantly designed and prepared as the Delahaye 135M on offer here. First imported to the United States by prominent collector Dr. Earl Heath. Records show that when Dr. Heath first assumed ownership the car was incredibly original and in complete and unmolested condition. While under Dr. Heath's ownership the car was disassembled and prepared for a frame off restoration. However, the restoration was never commenced and the car remained in annonymity for over ten years until prominent Beverly Hills collector, Bruce Meyer, discovered and purchased the car. After a short period of ownership under Mr. Meyer, the Delahaye was sold into an important international collection.
At this point a complete frame off restoration by the specialists of Hill and Vaughn was commissioned. Begun in early 1991, the no expense spared restoration spanned nearly three years and involved a complete refurbishment of all original mechanical components, utilizing many of the pre-existing components wherever possible. The painstaking job is reported to have cost in excess of $300,000. The result is close to flawless, the panel fit is excellent, as is the extravagent brightwork. The claret paintwork is truly exceptional in its distinctive, yet tasteful color and is flawlessly complimented by the lilac leather interior. The attractive engine turned dashboard feature very unique, for the marque, Jaeger gauges, believed to be original to the Delahaye.
Following the restoration this Delahaye was entered in several major competitions including the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it won the coveted French Cup. Additionaly, this important Delahaye has also won awards at presitigous events throughout the globe including Goodwood and a Best in Class at the Paris, France Bagatelle Concours d'Elegance. This stunning example is as much a work of art as it is a finely engineered and spirited open touring car. Writer Grey Gowrie was taken so much by the dramatic design while at the Goodwood Festival of Speed that he went on to write in Country Life in 1996, In the category Post Edwardian Sporting Car, was for me, the most beautiful motor car, perhaps the most beautiful machine in the world. She was a 1937 Delahaye 135M Drophead Coupe, the color of a great claret. The coachbuilder was the Italian-French firm of Figoni and Falaschi. The lines were seriously feminine. The uncompromising thrust of the bonnet was clearly and understatedly male. The author goes on to say, At lunch I sat next to Mr. Lagasy, who told me there was no doubt in his mind that the Delahaye should drive away with the 'Overall Winner' prize. Though the Delahaye was not the overall winner it was presented with an assortment of awards to substantiate its prescence at the prestigious event.
In addition to its fine appearance it is also reported to be in very fit driving condition. On a recent road test the Delahaye performed well and shifted impressively through its competition gearbox. This type being a rare and uncommon feature on these cars. With either open or closed touring capabilities the Figoni and Falaschi Drophead has a fully disappearing top which is a highly unique and special feature on coachbuilt Delahayes.
With the growing enthusiasm for French touring cars and the popular Concours events worldwide the availabilty of such desirable examples has lessened dramatically. Christie's is delighted to be offering such a classic example of the coachbuilt Figoni and Falaschi bodied cars.
COACHWORK BY FIGONI AND FALASCHI
Chassis No.
Engine No.
Body No.
Claret with lilac leather interior
Engine: 6 cylinder, 3,558cc, 160bhp at 4,200rpm; Gearbox: manual four speed competition; Suspension: independent front with transverse leaf springs, semi-elliptic rear; Brakes: four wheel drums all around. Right hand drive.
With the introduction of the "Superluxe" car in 1936, Delahaye quickly rebounded from its past poor sales of the 1920s. The new 'Superluxe' Delahaye was offered with two powerplants, a 4 and 6 cylinder engine, the latter of which was used in the special competition models. The early success of the 'Superluxe' was largely due to the 1935 merger of French automaker Delage and compatriot Delahaye. The union of these two independent firms allowed for a larger client pool, greater name recognition and an increased design team. The Delage marque was predominantly known for its amazingly graceful coachbuilt bodies and luxurious appointments. The first of the conglomerate corporation cars, the 135, was sent to Montlhery, France, where it went on to break 18 world records. The competition Delahaye featured a streamlined body and the larger, more powerful 6 cylinder engine and when compared with a Bugatti, its reasonable cost created a stir in both France and the United Kingdom. The new Delahayes were released to the public with positive acceptance. The combination of the characteristic Delahaye styling paired with the equally luxurious appointments and the smart engineering and mechanics of Delahaye made the car a natural success. In the November 29, 1938, issue of The Motor magazine, the Delahaye 135MS was subjected to a severe and thorough road test. The review was more than favorable, ".....with the competition model Delahaye we covered 1,000 miles in three days, many of them just for the sheer pleasure of driving it. There are very few cars which offer such superb road holding and steering, such performance, and such instantly responsive controls."
The 1939 Delahayes wore streamlined coachbuilt bodies created by renowned firms such as Figoni and Falaschi, Franay, Chapron, Letourneur et Marchand, Saoutchik, and in England, by Carlton. The Delahaye 135 was a mechanically excellent car highlighted by its stylish carroserie. The myriad of standard options presented on the 135M made this car a true luxury automobile, perhaps one of France's most beautiful and original touring cars ever built.
Though there were many coachbuilders who worked with the Delahaye chassis', few were as creative, inventive and artistic as the French firm of Figoni and Falschi. Joseph Figoni had developed an impressive resume of work by the time he joined forces with Ovidio Falaschi in 1935 and the two immediately went to work on a Delahaye chassis to debut at the Paris Salon in 1936. Purchased right off the stand at the Salon by Aly Khan, the Figoni and Falaschi cars were an instanteous success as word of mouth credited the two man design team for their attractive and seductive creations. After a lucrative and productive year the two returned to the Paris Salon in 1937 with a trademark Figoni and Falaschi aerodynamic design, where, as many automotive publications of the time report, the Delahaye was the most popular car that year. With French coachwork at its pinnacle during those years, Joseph Figoni and Ovidio Falaschi were at the top of their art, and designs employed on the Delahaye 135 chassis were undoubtedly the most impressive.
Of the limited production Figoni and Falaschi bodies few are as elegantly designed and prepared as the Delahaye 135M on offer here. First imported to the United States by prominent collector Dr. Earl Heath. Records show that when Dr. Heath first assumed ownership the car was incredibly original and in complete and unmolested condition. While under Dr. Heath's ownership the car was disassembled and prepared for a frame off restoration. However, the restoration was never commenced and the car remained in annonymity for over ten years until prominent Beverly Hills collector, Bruce Meyer, discovered and purchased the car. After a short period of ownership under Mr. Meyer, the Delahaye was sold into an important international collection.
At this point a complete frame off restoration by the specialists of Hill and Vaughn was commissioned. Begun in early 1991, the no expense spared restoration spanned nearly three years and involved a complete refurbishment of all original mechanical components, utilizing many of the pre-existing components wherever possible. The painstaking job is reported to have cost in excess of $300,000. The result is close to flawless, the panel fit is excellent, as is the extravagent brightwork. The claret paintwork is truly exceptional in its distinctive, yet tasteful color and is flawlessly complimented by the lilac leather interior. The attractive engine turned dashboard feature very unique, for the marque, Jaeger gauges, believed to be original to the Delahaye.
Following the restoration this Delahaye was entered in several major competitions including the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it won the coveted French Cup. Additionaly, this important Delahaye has also won awards at presitigous events throughout the globe including Goodwood and a Best in Class at the Paris, France Bagatelle Concours d'Elegance. This stunning example is as much a work of art as it is a finely engineered and spirited open touring car. Writer Grey Gowrie was taken so much by the dramatic design while at the Goodwood Festival of Speed that he went on to write in Country Life in 1996, In the category Post Edwardian Sporting Car, was for me, the most beautiful motor car, perhaps the most beautiful machine in the world. She was a 1937 Delahaye 135M Drophead Coupe, the color of a great claret. The coachbuilder was the Italian-French firm of Figoni and Falaschi. The lines were seriously feminine. The uncompromising thrust of the bonnet was clearly and understatedly male. The author goes on to say, At lunch I sat next to Mr. Lagasy, who told me there was no doubt in his mind that the Delahaye should drive away with the 'Overall Winner' prize. Though the Delahaye was not the overall winner it was presented with an assortment of awards to substantiate its prescence at the prestigious event.
In addition to its fine appearance it is also reported to be in very fit driving condition. On a recent road test the Delahaye performed well and shifted impressively through its competition gearbox. This type being a rare and uncommon feature on these cars. With either open or closed touring capabilities the Figoni and Falaschi Drophead has a fully disappearing top which is a highly unique and special feature on coachbuilt Delahayes.
With the growing enthusiasm for French touring cars and the popular Concours events worldwide the availabilty of such desirable examples has lessened dramatically. Christie's is delighted to be offering such a classic example of the coachbuilt Figoni and Falaschi bodied cars.