The Face that Changed the World
1937 Delahaye 135 Competition Court Figoni & Falaschi Torpedo Cabriolet. For the 1936 Paris Auto Salon, Giuseppe Figoni designed a car shape so radical that it would change auto design parameters forever. Working with Delahaye's Competition Court 2.65 meter very low chassis, he incorporated sweeping fully enveloped fenders, known as 'Les Ailes Figoni', low mounted headlights faired into the wing pods, and dramatic sweeping lines
in bold contrasting colors. Known as the 'Geo Ham' roadster for it's borrowing design elements from the noted illustrator Georges Hamel (after he sued Figoni) the car took the World by storm. This very car, one of 3 produced was on the stand and then sold to a gentleman from Czechoslovakia where it was hidden and survived the war, being found in a very dilapidated condition in 1997 and with the help of Figoni's son, Claude, was restored to pristine condition in it's original colors, subsequently winning Best in Show at Pebble Beach.
With the global economic depression barely over, Delahaye ventured into new, more exclusive grounds in 1934. The plan was to relive the glory years of the teens and twenties and to shed the dependable and somewhat boring image built up in the early 1930s. A first major step in that direction was the introduction of the six cylinder engined Type 138 in 1934, which was considerably more luxurious than the Delahayes offered in the previous years. More important for the company's legacy was the launch a year later of the Type 135 Sport that shared the six cylinder engine with the 138, but featured a much sportier chassis.
One of the 135's biggest assets was the relatively low-slung chassis, which made it a popular choice for custom coachbuilders, but naturally also improved the car's handling characteristics. Although not quite under-slung, the use of independent front suspension and arched frame members at the rear contributed to the car's low stance. Displacing just over 3.2 litre, the reverse-flow six cylinder engine was available with one or three Solex Carburetors, producing 95 or 113 bhp respectively. With no synchromesh on first and second the four speed gearbox was the weakest link of the drivetrain. This was relatively easily solved by having a Cotal preselector gearbox installed.
Another major contribution to the success was the 'Ecurie Bleue' racing team founded by American Lucy Schell. In short she desired to be the 'Scuderia Ferrari' of France, with Delahayes instead of Alfa Romeos. The team campaigned a specially prepared version of the three 'carb' 135 throughout the 1935 season with considerable success. The highlight was a victory in the Coupe des Alpes rally, which resulted in the high performance version receiving this model name to distinguish it from the base model. The good results encouraged Delahaye to develop a more powerful, larger version of the six cylinder engine and a shorter, more agile chassis.
Both in the salesroom and on the racing track the various types of the Delahaye 135 were very successful. Its competition highlight came at Le Mans in 1938 when Delahaye recorded a one-two victory against often faster, but less reliable competition.
The Face that Changed the World
1937 Delahaye 135 Competition Court Figoni & Falaschi Torpedo Cabriolet. For the 1936 Paris Auto Salon, Giuseppe Figoni designed a car shape so radical that it would change auto design parameters forever. Working with Delahaye's Competition Court 2.65 meter very low chassis, he incorporated sweeping fully enveloped fenders, known as 'Les Ailes Figoni', low mounted headlights faired into the wing pods, and dramatic sweeping lines
in bold contrasting colors. Known as the 'Geo Ham' roadster for it's borrowing design elements from the noted illustrator Georges Hamel (after he sued Figoni) the car took the World by storm. This very car, one of 3 produced was on the stand and then sold to a gentleman from Czechoslovakia where it was hidden and survived the war, being found in a very dilapidated condition in 1997 and with the help of Figoni's son, Claude, was restored to pristine condition in it's original colors, subsequently winning Best in Show at Pebble Beach.
With the global economic depression barely over, Delahaye ventured into new, more exclusive grounds in 1934. The plan was to relive the glory years of the teens and twenties and to shed the dependable and somewhat boring image built up in the early 1930s. A first major step in that direction was the introduction of the six cylinder engined Type 138 in 1934, which was considerably more luxurious than the Delahayes offered in the previous years. More important for the company's legacy was the launch a year later of the Type 135 Sport that shared the six cylinder engine with the 138, but featured a much sportier chassis.
One of the 135's biggest assets was the relatively low-slung chassis, which made it a popular choice for custom coachbuilders, but naturally also improved the car's handling characteristics. Although not quite under-slung, the use of independent front suspension and arched frame members at the rear contributed to the car's low stance. Displacing just over 3.2 litre, the reverse-flow six cylinder engine was available with one or three Solex Carburetors, producing 95 or 113 bhp respectively. With no synchromesh on first and second the four speed gearbox was the weakest link of the drivetrain. This was relatively easily solved by having a Cotal preselector gearbox installed.
Another major contribution to the success was the 'Ecurie Bleue' racing team founded by American Lucy Schell. In short she desired to be the 'Scuderia Ferrari' of France, with Delahayes instead of Alfa Romeos. The team campaigned a specially prepared version of the three 'carb' 135 throughout the 1935 season with considerable success. The highlight was a victory in the Coupe des Alpes rally, which resulted in the high performance version receiving this model name to distinguish it from the base model. The good results encouraged Delahaye to develop a more powerful, larger version of the six cylinder engine and a shorter, more agile chassis.
Both in the salesroom and on the racing track the various types of the Delahaye 135 were very successful. Its competition highlight came at Le Mans in 1938 when Delahaye recorded a one-two victory against often faster, but less reliable competition.