1939 Delahaye Type 135 M Roadster

Even by the 1930s, the performance capabilities of the automobile had progressed to such an extent that many manufacturers would shy away from offering chassis that tested those limits for fear their customers would not be able to handle what was available to them. A few, however, would throw caution to the wind and would make such performance available to their customers. Delahaye was just such a manufacturer.

Delahaye's offering of track performance for the street would come in the form of the Type 135 S chassis. Delahaye's means of protecting itself and its clients were bound in the fact the Type 135 Competition Court, the model chassis actually intended for competition but that could be made into a road car, would not be found in any official listing from the company. This particular chassis had to be requested, and not just anyone would get one.

One particular example of the Competition Court chassis is 48667. Its number would suggest the chassis was actually assembled in 1936. The custom-built body adorning the chassis would be exceptional in its own right.

Coachbuilders of the period would be particularly drawn to the design of teardrop and the torpedo as both similar represented for aerodynamic shapes, even though the science wasn't very well appreciated at the time. Based upon the show car that could have been seen at the Paris Auto Show in 1936, 48667 would be graced with a Torpedo Roadster body designed by the illustrator Georges Hamel. Hamel's fame as an illustrator would grow from his racing posters featuring aircraft and automobiles. He would work closely with Figoni at Falaschi to design the body that would sit atop the very special chassis. When completed, 48667 would become one of just 13 streamlined bodies that were a part of series based on the Paris show car.

But, while the brass tag would give the impression of a close association between Figoni and Hamel, the illustrator would have to threaten a lawsuit before his name would be included as a collaborator in the project. An agreement would be struck and Hamel's name would be added to the bronze plate of just three examples. Such intrigue only adds to the story of this very special Delahaye.

Chassis 48667 would be one of those bearing Hamel's name. Completed in Blue Monaco and Straw Yellow, the car would be delivered in August of 1937. Immediately after being delivered it would take part in its first concours event, the Gardenia Concours d'Elegance at Saint-Cloud. Even from the very beginning, this Delahaye would be recognized as a priceless collectible. Though presented at the concours by Emilienne d'Avray, it seems clear 48667 would be without an owner for a couple of years.

Apparently given a new engine, just carrying the original number, the Delahaye would set off across the Atlantic in 1939 for North America. There is some suggestion that this particular chassis made an appearance at the World's Fair and that Bob Grier, the photographer and motoring enthusiast, would purchase the car at about the same time. Unfortunately, the war would hinder Grier from being able to enjoy the car. When the war came to an end though, Grier would take to the wheel and would use the performance of the 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine to take part in a number of hillclimbs. Apparently, the car would be seen with its color scheme reversed.

In 1954, the Delahaye would take part in Herb Shriner's World Motor Sports Show held at Madison Square Garden. Approaching the 1960s, the Delahaye had spent some twenty years in Grier's possession. It was time to pass the car along. So, in November of 1963, just a couple of weeks before the assassination of Kennedy, Hugh J. Weidinger's Long Island's Hemostead Auto Company would become the new owner of the Delahaye. While the property of Weidinger's company the Torpedo Roadster would again be refinished. This time the scheme would turn to red and black.

Malcolm S. Pray, Jr. had also been at the World's Fair in 1939. He was just 11 years old at the time but would be absolutely taken back by the Delahaye on display. Right there in that very moment, he desired to own what he saw. In time, Mr. Pray would become an influential businessman and an avid car collector. Though he collected the very best, there was one, if he allowed himself to dream, he absolutely wanted more than any other.

About 25 years after that first encounter, Pray would find himself in the position of being able to purchase the very same car he had seen when just a boy. Pray would need no convincing and needed little incentive. He would jump at the chance of owning his fantasy car, a car that he would consider greater than any other in his collection. The best part of it all was that it would really be a chance encounter; two separated lovers meeting again after years apart. And such was the relationship.

In 1969 and '70 the car would be refurbished. Wanting to remember it as it was, Pray would have the car refinished in its original colors. Though refurbished and return to its original livery, the car would be seldom seen for the next 45 years. Then, amazingly, the car would make an appearance at the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance in 1994. It had been 40 years before the car made its last appearance in a show and it would prove to be a truly moving moment. Then, one year later, Malcolm and his new wife, Natalie, would tour the car in Europe. Such was the affection Pray had for the car that Natalie would consider the car the 'French Mistress'.

Mr. Pray's pride would get the better of him. After that debut in 1994, the Delahaye would be a participant in more than 50 events. This active lifestyle would certainly seem to give credence to the affectionate nickname 'French Mistress'. Unfortunately, Mr. Pray can no longer enjoy such rendezvous. The arousing Delahaye will have to use its looks and performance to find a new amour.

Sources:
'Lot No. 167: 1937 Delahaye 135 Competition Court Torpedo Roadster', (http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1064908). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1064908. Retrieved 6 February 2014.

Mellana, Tom. 'Malcolm S. Pray Jr., Greenwich Businessman and Benefactor, has Died', (http://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Malcolm-S-Pray-Jr-Greenwich-business sman-and-4759990.php). Greenwich Time.com. http://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Malcolm-S-Pray-Jr-Greenwich-businessman-and-4759990.php. Retrieved 6 February 2014.

By Jeremy McMullen

Emile Delahaye founded the Delahaye automobile manufacturing company in 1894, in Tours, France. Production was closed in 1954, despite its reputation for building reliable trucks and fast automobiles.

Previous owner Malcolm Pray first saw this fabulous Figoni & Falaschi designed roadster when it premiered at the French Pavilion at the New York World's Fair in 1939. He purchased the car in 1964, not realizing that this was the car he sketched as a captivated eleven-year-old 24 years earlier. It has been displayed at Retromobile and the Centre International de l'Automobile in Paris.

This is the second Paris Salon Cabriolet mounted on the short chassis with coachwork by French coachbuilder Figoni et Falashi, in conjunction with the artist Geo Hamm. Approximately thirty Competition Court chassis were constructed. This is a relatively early example, perhaps built in 1936, and its original chassis tag indicates Type 135-M. Its coachwork was commissioned by Delahaye, rather than a private individual, and intended as a show car. The Torpedo Roadster design was based on the famed 1936 Paris Auto Show car and one of a series of 13 streamlined bodies constructed by Figoni et Falaschi with the input of Geo Ham. The series was comprised of both open and closed cars that were based on long and short chassis.

Figoni et Falaschi refused to acknowledge Ham's contribution to the design; Ham threatened a lawsuit, and an agreement was soon struck. Ham was allowed to register bodies 6, 7, and 8 as his creations, under the Union of Artistic Property. These three bodies received a brass tag, placed just aft of the doors, acknowledging this agreement. One of these three cars was chassis number 48667 and it continues to wear the original Geo Ham tag stating, 'Creation Figoni-Falaschi-Geo Ham modele depose No. 7.' This Delahaye is one of two short-chassis Torpedo Roadsters that exists in modern times, and the only one to retain the original Geo Ham tag.

This Delahaye, wearing a Blue Monaco and Straw Yellow exterior, was delivered to Delahaye in August 1937. In October, it was shown at the Gardenia Concours d'Elegance at Saint-Cloud.

Around 1939, this Delahaye was upgraded with an MS-specification engine, and in this configuration, it was sent across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States and shown in the French Pavilion at the 1939 New York World Fair.

The Delahaye was purchased by the first owner New Yorker Bale Greer in 1940 after the fair closed. It was then acquired by Malcolm Pray, the second owner, in July of 1964. The car participated in early hill climbs and has been recognized as a leading show car in concours around the world because of its striking design. Its fully enclosed front and rear wheels enhance the drama of its aerodynamic lines.

This 135M has never been completely restored and instead has undergone only periodic refurbishing to maintain originality.

This is considered one of the most stunning automobile designs ever created. Delahaye produced powerful, reliable automobiles, and Figoni et Falaschi is one of, if not the, premier coachbuilder in France, a fabulous combination indeed.