Description
This is the 1936 "Talk of Paris" car, the beginning of the famed Figoni Streamlined Teardrop Period, an objet d'art
Figoni streamlined design one of one (piece unique). Figoni design #581.
One of the most highly awarded cars in the world.... Best of Show, Most Elegant, Best Paint, Best Pre-War, People's Choice, etc.
Classic Car Club of America (CCCA), First, perfect 100-points at every Grand Classic shown over nineteen years. Premier level
One of a very limited number of Figoni Streamlined Competition cars remaining in existence and rarely available
First of the Figoni Streamlined Competition Convertibles with Figoni-patented Disappearing Top and folding windshield
Complete tool kit, correct French jack, all in concours condition
Piece Unique, The only car of this design
All matching numbers throughout, verified by Club Delahaye and Figoni records
Completely authenticated by Club Delahaye France, extensive provenance, history book, build sheet, etc.
Original Figoni Body #581
Original Engine & Chassis #46864
All owners known from new
Consistently judged to be among the very best... Over 25 Best of Show Awards
Copy of original build sheet & Owner's Manual (English Version)
This 1936 135 Competition Disappearing Top Convertible is notable for many reasons, including its streamlined flowing objet d'art design by Joseph Figoni, with the Figoni et Falaschi patented (795. 769) disappearing top, pioneered on this car (copy in car history book). It was specially ordered when new to be equally at home on a boulevard... or on a racetrack. It has a racing engine, gearbox and chassis. It is restored to 100-point level for Concours d'Elegance competition, and is the winner of numerous prestigious concours awards. But most importantly, as the premier example of 1930s French coachbuilding, this beautiful automobile can be seen and valued as fine art, with all the implications for further appreciation that the fine art market commands.
“The chassis 46864 is correct in all respects”
-- Club Delahaye France Archives
Rarely do competitive racing chassis and engine and imaginative aerodynamic coachwork come together in the same car. This was Figoni et Falaschi's signature style applied to a convertible... the new flowing streamlined coachwork for which Figoni-Falaschi would become internationally famous. It most dramatically illustrates Figoni’s famed streamlined creations, in this case for a wealthy Parisian named Wolf, a personal friend of Figoni’s. Wolf could afford the best of the best, so he challenged Delahaye and Figoni to create a car with elegant line, fine et elancée, with the fast and reliable Competition 3. 5 liter six-cylinder engine, and the competition chassis... bearing in mind his intent to race the car and enter in rallies, as well as concours events and various showings for Figoni.
“This is one of the most elegant creations of Joseph Figoni
and one of the most important Delahaye cars.”
-- Club Delahaye France Archives
The Delahaye Type 135 Competition long-wheelbase chassis was a factory competition special, ordered by Monsieur Wolf to satisfy his purposes of personal use, concours events and racing requirements. At Delahaye, the competition engine was placed into the rugged Type 135 Competition chassis, a durable advanced design for its time, proved in the coming years at races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
This Delahaye 135 Competition Convertible has been authenticated by Club Delahaye France, and Figoni records, as the original body (Figoni # 581) and chassis (Delahaye # 46864) with all pertinent numbers on the car matching the original Figoni and Delahaye records.
The Competition Engine. The car is powered by a 3. 5 liter (3557cc) overhead valve, 120 horsepower, inline six-cylinder Delahaye engine, foundry-marked T35 (built in 1935). It is coupled to a rugged 4-speed manual competition transmission with synchromesh on the top three gears. This car was ordered with the competition engine version, with a matched set of triple downdraft Solex 40PAI carburetors, a higher-compression cylinder head, an oil cooler, and two fuel fillers in the trunk.
The engine and 4-speed competition gearbox are positioned low in the chassis, thus contributing to the benefits of a better-balanced vehicle.
When Joseph Figoni took delivery of Wolf's rolling chassis from the Delahaye factory, he set out to make the most streamlined body possible. He wanted the convertible top to be lowered within the body. Today, we take this complex process for granted. But back then, Figoni, a streamlining pioneer, had to invent a very effective disappearing top for this car. The folding mechanism is described in French Patent 795. 769, «Perfectionnements aux véhicules décapotables», applied for October 1, 1935 and issued January 13, 1936, just preceding the construction of this car.
You'll appreciate the gorgeous interior's sparkling jewel-like engine-turned dash. One of the world's most highly awarded cars. Thirty Best of Show awards all across the United States at major concours d'elegance.. Highest ranking at Classic Car Club of America Grand Classics, Senior Premier, 100 Points. Authenticated in writing by Club Delahaye France to be correct in all respects including original engine, drive train, chassis and Figoni body #581. Recently serviced and very reliable. A joy to show and own.
