Another classic Art Moderne "Tear Drop" coachwork by Figoni et Falaschi gracing this 1937 Delahaye MS. This sport version offered a 3.6 liter straight 6 developing 145 hp with 3 carburetors. It saw bodies from multiple French coachbuilders and the chassis was still available in 1954 mostly as competition race cars.
Good Lord what a beautifully designed automobile. How in the world did the driver have a clear view of the road ahead with that huge, long hood and the windshield that seems to be rather narrow....?
Good Lord what a beautifully designed automobile. How in the world did the driver have a clear view of the road ahead with that huge, long hood and the windshield that seems to be rather narrow....?
The head of the driver is hitting the ceiling, it is like a hot rod, but also IMHO, the height of the hood is a bit exaggerated in the model. Similar to the Automodello's Delage by Pourtout hood's elongation, I guess Raffi is doing these disproportions on purpose, raising the hood (or elongating the hood in the Delage's case) enhances that aggressive, sporty and arrogant stance and reminds me of the 1930's skewed perspective advertisement car drawings.
This Delahaye is in Sam Mann's collection but is rarely photographed, so there are only few images online, hence hard to judge. The Delage by Pourtout and the Duesenberg Graber are also in Sam Mann's collection, Automodello did 3 of his cars.
My second favorite Delage is also in Mann's collection, the guy has impeccable taste ...
@100ford2003I drove this Mark V for about 10 years. Passengers used to freak out not understanding how I could navigate that beast. I joked and told them I use the "gun sight" (the Lincoln hood ornament) for bearings.
Rich, so funny, but true. Mom had a Mark III, IV, V and VI. When I was in my 20's I had 2 Mark VII's, one was an 85 and the other a 90 Bill Blass edition. Loved them, they were a lot of fun. Traded the 90 then for a 95 Cadillac STS Northstar.
@100ford2003I drove this Mark V for about 10 years. Passengers used to freak out not understanding how I could navigate that beast. I joked and told them I use the "gun sight" (the Lincoln hood ornament) for bearings.
A buddy of mine was body shop manager at a L & M dealer in Costa Mesa CA for years thru-out the 70s-90s. Stopped by to visit often. Got to see and drive lots of those. I always favored them over Cadillacs but would never consider owning one. They're just not a car that I'd like to drive so I prefer to admire them from a distance.
what a fantastic post. My aubergine Delahaye is a true favorite, and pairs so well with the D4C club car Delahaye. Thanks Rich. Chav, some fantastic info there. The pics are great and it is so impressive how Sam Mann is able to articulate his appreciation of the mentioned cars in his collection. Enjoyable all round!
Rich, I sold my Mark V about eight months ago. I loved that car but didn't have room for it anymore. The young man I sold it to lives in my area and I occasionally see it.
