The talk of the 1936 Paris Auto Salon was unquestionably the spectacular 135M Torpédo Cabriolet bodied by Figoni et Falaschi. It featured bold pontoon fenders that enveloped the wheels, with curves that dazzled the senses, and was displayed on a raised, circular rotating plinth on Delahaye’s show stand. This car’s fold-flat windscreen, cut-down doors, centrally finned sloping rear deck, and striking brightwork complemented the amazing fenders and achieved a new level of sporting opulence, delivering Delahaye to the highest echelons of automotive relevance. About 11 cars are believed to have been built to this inspired design, each one subtly different. According to respected Delahaye historian and author Richard Adatto, approximately three of the surviving Torpédo Cabriolets were built on the rare Competition Court (Short), 2,710 mm chassis, the wheelbase of the chassis offered here, which is believed by multiple Delahaye specialists to be the chassis of the Paris Auto Salon car.

According to this car’s entry in Delahaye Styling and Design by Richard Adatto and Diana Meredith, following its appearance at the Paris and London auto shows, the auto salon Delahaye, with its engine numbered 47247, was sold to Prince Ali Salman Aga “Aly” Khan, who had it repainted from its “tea-pink” and orange combination to monochromatic black. Sometime later, the Torpédo Cabriolet was involved in an accident, possibly in Morocco, and it is believed that the engine block was replaced with a 1939-cast unit, likely early on in its existence. The 1939 replacement block was fitted with the original car’s all-important engine serial plate, which can be seen fitted to the chassis presented here; this was the car’s only identifying number stamping as Delahaye frames of the period were seldom numbered. The original Figoni sales journal lists car no. 47247 as the two-seater convertible, orange and tea pink from the turntable on the Delahaye stand; the chassis is accompanied by a transcription of this entry.

The chassis was later rebodied with open Vignale coachwork and, by the 1970s, the Delahaye made its way to the US under the ownership of New Jersey dealer Basil Shadlun, who sold it in the early 1980s to noted California collector Jim Hull, who discarded the Vignale body and later sold the rolling chassis to the Mullin Collection. A copy of a detailed 2003 letter on file from marque authority and former archivist of the French Delahaye Club André Vaucourt to Peter Mullin underscores the significance of the chassis and traces the ownership and registration numbers assigned to 47247 through some of its owners following “Aly” Khan. Further, Delahaye authority and author of Figoni & Delahaye Jean-Paul Tissot recently confirmed that this is the Delahaye chassis of the Figoni et Falaschi roadster that was displayed at the 1936 Paris and London auto shows before being sold to Prince Ali Khan.

Today, the bare chassis features 47247’s aforementioned engine, which is mounted with a Cotal preselect gearbox, as well as the rear differential, brakes, and suspension. Believed by Delahaye authorities to be the chassis of the featured 1936 Paris Auto Salon car, this Competition Court chassis has survived to the present day against considerable odds and presents an unrepeatable opportunity to recreate the original Torpédo Cabriolet, one of the most important cars of the era and a true progenitor of the “French Curves” style. We invite interested bidders to review the historical documents and photos which accompany this lot.

*Please note that this vehicle is titled by its engine number.

*Please note that all of the Lots in this Auction have been in long-term static storage at the Mullin Automotive Museum and may not be currently operational. They will require mechanical attention and in some cases significant restoration prior to any road use.