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1937 Paris Salon, Delahaye 135 M

Charles Rockett · 2024-09-26T08:17:05Z

Delahaye 135 M Competition Short - Chassis Nº48563 - was shown by Figoni et Falaschi on their 1937 Paris Salon stand and was indisputably the star of that Salon, drawing constant crowds. It was in fact a roadster example of the coupe shown at the previous year’s Paris Salon (Chassis Nº 46576) which itself was an early form of the coming ‘Baroque’ trend, rather than being in the Goutte d’Eau vein. (This original coupe was ordered by French industrialist and regular Figoni client M. Jeancart - more on whom next week - and was registered in January 1936). Mounted on competition short 2.7-meter racing chassis with aluminium coachwork, the present cabriolet featured an high-performance triple-carburetor engine, but enjoyed luxury appointments, with deep red leather interior and matching carpets, crafted by Hermes The car incorporated four new French patents: 827640, for its aerodynamic design that allowed space within for the apex of the turning wheel whilst reducing exterior 'bulge'. This form continued to develop and ultimately came to house the headlamps (the eyes of the whale) on the early Narval examples. Patent 800427 for the crank-down disappearing windshield; 800723, for the special lightweight competition tubular seats; and 801728, for the disappearing convertible top. Just prior to the Salon, and driven by a liveried chauffeur it was presented by Madame Figoni herself at the August Concours d’Elegance du Gardenia at Saint-Cloud, and also won at the Concours d’Elegance de Palais de Chaillot, (Paris Trocadero). Immediately after the 1937 Paris Salon it was bought by Luiz Martins de Souza Dantas, the Ambassador of Brazil to France (1922 to 1944) and returned to the Figoni workshop in early 1938 to have its ‘cyclops’ headlamp removed and bumpers installed. At the outbreak of World War II, the car was sold to a French collector, with a mere 1000 kilometres on the odometer and shipped to the Cote d’Azur where it remained until discovered by an Italian military officer and consequently shipped to Italy during the retreat at war’s end. It was rediscovered in Milan in 1947. At this point it was returned again to the Figoni workshop for overhaul and change in carburetion. Sold again with still a mere 5,200 Killometres on the clock, it was repainted white and when sold in 2001 to Miles Collier it still showed a mere 8,030 kilometres after 64 years. (Any additional info. and / or corrections would be much appreciated - as always). 1/43 scale Resin by M.A. Collection (produced by ABC Brianza for Michel Sordet, Switzerland).

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Charles Rockett

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Topic starter 07/10/2024 5:39 pm

@mg-harv Indeed, Harv' the Nickel models were a more affordable addition to the MAFMA catalogue and they did this model in two-tones of blue with a third taking the place of the chrome flash, as it was later configured. They also did the convertible version of the Ghia Aigle 135 of 1948. Thank-you for sharing these great shots.

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1937 Paris Salon, Delahaye 135 M

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