To the Top and Over
1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Court Coupe' by.....who else....Joseph Figoni of ....Figoni et Falaschi, Paris France, the most flamboyant of the French Art Deco coachbuilders. First of a handful of short chassis (Court is French for short) with the full racing engine setup (the Competition in the name) with a light, aluminum body with accoutrements that make it stand out Big Time.
This outrageous jewel was the first of Figoni's designs that leaned heavily on the graphic artist published designs and posters of George Hammel (he went by Geo Hamm) who first conceived the teardrop shape that Figoni refined into what I think was the most successful design he did, that of the Talbot Lago T150 tear drop coupe's. They are smaller than the larger Delahayes of which some are huge, but this one is more compact and the shorter chassis helps.
Commissioned by the wealthy Parisian industrialist, M. Jeancar, who took possession in Jan. of 1936, and who later had several of the Talbot Lago teardrops. The car was featured in numerous Concours of the day, and was successfully hidden from the Nazi's in WW II, to be revived and driven heavily by a series of wealthy folk including the film star, Deloris DelRio who had a collection of classics in Los Angeles.
The coupe’s striking design emphasized flowing lines with teardrop-shaped chrome accents on the hood and the front and rear fenders. The door handles and headlights were flush with the body. The dashboard was made of rich, golden wood, a Figoni &Falaschi signature. A sliding metal sunroof and a windshield that opened outward at the bottom afforded ventilation. The last restoration revived the original black color, and reunited it with it's original competition engine......ready to rally in style....and to win numerous best in shows including at Pebble Beach.
To the Top and Over
1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Court Coupe' by.....who else....Joseph Figoni of ....Figoni et Falaschi, Paris France, the most flamboyant of the French Art Deco coachbuilders. First of a handful of short chassis (Court is French for short) with the full racing engine setup (the Competition in the name) with a light, aluminum body with accoutrements that make it stand out Big Time.
This outrageous jewel was the first of Figoni's designs that leaned heavily on the graphic artist published designs and posters of George Hammel (he went by Geo Hamm) who first conceived the teardrop shape that Figoni refined into what I think was the most successful design he did, that of the Talbot Lago T150 tear drop coupe's. They are smaller than the larger Delahayes of which some are huge, but this one is more compact and the shorter chassis helps.
Commissioned by the wealthy Parisian industrialist, M. Jeancar, who took possession in Jan. of 1936, and who later had several of the Talbot Lago teardrops. The car was featured in numerous Concours of the day, and was successfully hidden from the Nazi's in WW II, to be revived and driven heavily by a series of wealthy folk including the film star, Deloris DelRio who had a collection of classics in Los Angeles.
The coupe’s striking design emphasized flowing lines with teardrop-shaped chrome accents on the hood and the front and rear fenders. The door handles and headlights were flush with the body. The dashboard was made of rich, golden wood, a Figoni &Falaschi signature. A sliding metal sunroof and a windshield that opened outward at the bottom afforded ventilation. The last restoration revived the original black color, and reunited it with it's original competition engine......ready to rally in style....and to win numerous best in shows including at Pebble Beach.