The Diecast Zone · Model Car Club Since 1997
Diecast Collector Forums
Eight forums, every scale, and thirty years of shop talk — new arrivals, restorations, reviews, and the finds you won’t see posted anywhere else, with the full archive back to 2002 restored and searchable. Free to Register.
8Forums
195,000+Topics
1,276,000+Posts
10,000+Members
1997Research From
Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
08/06/2014 3:03 pm
1937 Delahaye 135M Figoni et Falaschi Torpedo Cabriolet [PIC]
Another beauty from the Peter Mullin collection that demonstrates the streamlined designs of coach builders Figoni and Falaschi. This car was one of eleven built in the Paris Auto Salon series and was built for a personal friend of Joeseph Figoni, businessman/explorer Casimir Jourde who in '39 took the car with him to Bombay, India. It was later sold to and Indian prince; sold again years later and disappeared until it was discovered in decrepit condition in a garden shed in Jodhpur. After a few inaccuate restoration attempts, the final restoration was done by Peter Mullin in 2006 under the guidance of Claude Figoni.
The model is quite striking with the paint and brightwork extraordinarily well done. The grill is spidery perfection with the twin horns visible behind. The painted wire wheels are so pretty I wish the spats were removable. The interior is relatively spartan and all I could find with the magnifier is the gear numbers are missing from around the shift gates. If I had any grouse about the model, it would be the 2-dimensional photoetched wipers that look out of place in such a sumptuously finished model ( with a $300 pricepoint).
The packaging is identical to the rest of the series and once again there are discrepancies in the description on the model. The car's bio under the upper case box art is correct, but the chassis has it marked as a Type 145 V-12 Coupe! It reminds me of their Cadillac Cyclone which was marked as 1959 Cyclone and included the picture of the same on the box art. The model, however was the 1960 variant which looked and was mechanically significantly different.
Improper labeling aside, if you're a sucker for these prewar art deco designs, it's a must have. The edition size is 1002 pieces and are individually numbered.
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
08/06/2014 3:07 pm
Superb photography as usual, Rich
Not my cup of tea for the collection but your photos are always appreciated as fine artwork!
Topic starter
08/06/2014 3:14 pm
Much appreciated, David......
You either love this prewar stuff or you don't... it's all good.
I'm an unabashed addict and and for that, as well as the 50s concept series, I'm delighted with the "Resin Revolution" as there wasn't a diecast manufacturer willing to risk tooling and development costs to produce those genres.
08/06/2014 3:51 pm
Aboslutely gorgeous photos and that model looks awesome.
I am considering that one. Just can't afford it right now.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
Topic starter
08/06/2014 3:59 pm
Lord knows I want one of everthing in the Minichamps resin series.....
The darned things are budget killers for sure, but the edition size really lights a fire under me too. I'd hate to have to bid on the secondary market for them once the edition sells out.
I will probably get most of the releases... unless they release a bunch at the same time.
09/06/2014 4:18 am
Rich, great pictures of a very handsome model, thank you for sharing.
09/06/2014 8:52 am
Very nice.......and photographed by a craftsman