In 1938, a new top model of the Type 135 was introduced at the 1938 Paris Salon, the MS (Modifeee Speciale). Its engine was a completely updated version of the existing 3.5-litre six-cylinder engine. A larger cylinder head and larger valves improved breathing and power was increased to 130bhp and, with proper gearing and a slippery body, could reach an incredible top speed of 110mph.
Despite the performance, it was the coachwork that defined a Delahaye. The greatest artists of the day created some of their best work on Delahaye chassis; Henri Chapron, Letourner et Marchand, Saoutchik, Guillore, Franai and Graber were just a few whose art graced Delahayes. However, if there was one coachbuilding company that deserved special recognition, it was Figoni et Falaschi.
This is the long-wheelbase (2.95 metres) version of the Paris Salon Cabriolet, which was introduced in 1936. The striking art deco design was described when new as “seemingly moulded by the wind itself”. Designed by French automotive artist Geo Ham, this 135 M was built by Figoni & Falaschi with a voluptuous body that features fully enclosed wheels with headlights integrated into the wings and a split windscreen that can be folded flat for a rather racy appearance.
Only ten of these unique Paris Salon Delahaye roadsters were originally built by Figoni and only three are known to survive today. Figoni specifically designed this car and others like it to navigate the straight, tree-lined avenues of France in the late 1930s - and they were dubbed the "Grande Routière", the precursor to the Gran Turismo that dominated Italian coachbuilding in the 1950s.
The one you are presenting here, exported from France by the Migliaccio dealer to Algeria and sold new in Oran to Mr Floud in March 1938, body number 700, chassis #: 49169, was found in 1992, by a French enthusiast of the marque, under an olive tree in the yard of a scrap metal dealer located in the mountains of the Kabylie region of Algeria. It was virtually complete (with the exception of the three-abreast bench seat and the boot lid) and purchased for a modest 10,0000da (in 1992).
It would later be restored twice, in France and then in England.
It would be exhibited at Rétromobile in 1997 on the Club Delahaye stand, finished in two shades of blue. Here, the car was purchased by the famous Swiss collector Marc Caveng, who commissioned Carrosserie Fernandez of Lausanne to repaint the Delahaye in black, accented with crimson stripes and cognac leather.
In 1999, Mr. Caveng sold the rare black and cognac Delahaye, and it was purchased by the famous collector Robert E. Petersen of Los Angeles. It has since been part of the collection of the Petersen Automotive Museum, where it has remained on public display.
Here in a garage in Algiers in 1950
You notice that she still has her Algerian registration number AL
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