Delahaye
Established 1894: Tours, France
Audiences beyond France associate Delahaye with the glamor of the classic era, whereas at home the firm produced consumer automobiles, and grew its heavy truck business to become its primary source of revenue. The company's gravitation toward motorsport and upmarket cars was driven by two women, Madame Leon Desmarais, widow of the primary shareholder, and Lucy O'Reilly Schell. A wealthy sportsman in her own right, Schell funded the development of competition-spec 135 cars, and Desmarais established a new racing department. So it was that Delahaye capitalized on its early motoring advancements, restoring the marque to international notoriety. 12cylinders will return to Delahaye in a while to complete a more involved portfolio dripping with colorful gobs of Frenchness.
Delahaye 135 M Competition Disappearing Top Cabriolet, Figoni et Falaschi, #46864, 1936
A very early Figoni cabriolet, #46864 it is complete and original. Toward the end of the 20th century, the car passed through Hill & Vaughn, restoration concern of Formula 1 World Champion, Phil Hill.
9 images
Feb 16, 2024
Delahaye 135 Competition Court Torpedo Roadster, Figoni et Falaschi, #48667, 1937
One of two original surviving cars of its kind, chassis #48667 is perhaps the most noteworthy of many ostentatious Figoni et Falaschi roadsters, prominently representative of Art Deco style.
8 images
Feb 20, 2024
Delahaye 135 MS Cabriolet, Henri Chapron, 1947
One of a handful of cars finished after "La Vedette" of the Paris Auto Salon, this cabriolet depicts Chapron's elegant use of classic design themes in the post-War era.
6 images
Feb 16, 2024
Delahaye 135 M Cabriolet "El Glaoui," Figoni et Falaschi, #800998, 1948
Apart from the design, Delahaye 135 M #800998 provides both poignant and strange connections to imperialism and presumptive diplomacy. The car itself is an east coast celebrity and one of most nicely presented late-model Delahaye cabriolets.
7 images
Feb 20, 2024