1947 Delahaye Type 135 MS Narval Cabriolet

During World War II, coachbuilding activities ceased and the company turned to making electric stoves under the FiF's brand, short for Figoni et Falaschi. Meanwhile, Figoni drafted a portfolio of futuristic sketches, including his rendition of a 'Narval Cabriolet.' One of the most flamboyant Figoni et Falaschi designs, the Narval (French for 'Narwhal') was named for its prominent proboscis and vestigial fins, a full decade before Cadillac made fins famous. The Narval was built on the Delahaye 135 MS chassis, and of the seven examples produced, this Delahaye was selected to be shown at the 1947 Paris Auto Salon, where it was bought by French singer-songwriter Charles Trenet. Recently restored, this dramatic Narval appears as it did in 1947.

This Delahaye 135MS is one of 7 Delahaye 135 Narvals built. Its Narval Cabriolet coachwork was the work of the Paris firm of Giuseppe Figoni et Ovidio Falaschi. The Narval, or 'Narwhal' was among the most flamboyant designs created by Figoni et Falaschi, built on the Delahaye 135M chassis and introduced at the 1946 Salon de Paris. It received its Narval name for its prominent front treatment, like a narwhal or perhaps a Beluga Whale, named—in French—for the Arctic sea creature it resembles. The hood, center section and trunk are reminiscent of the shape of the narhwal's body, and the protruding nose clearly references the unicorn-like tusk that distinguishes the male members of the species.

This particular example is one of seven built with the Narval design. It has a 116-inch wheelbase, independent front suspension, live rear axle setup with parallel semi-elliptic strings, cable-operated Bendix brakes, and 17-inch Rudge center-lock wire-spoke wheels with black sidewall tires. The 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine has overhead valves and three French Solex downdraft carburetors. There is a Cotal 4-speed transmission with a preselector shift mechanism at the steering column.

This example is finished in light blue and has unique, chrome, curved side accents on each side of the hood. The chrome-plated bumpers are designed with artistically curved tubular bars. There are full skirts that envelope the wheel openings, and there is a dark blue convertible top. The interior trim of 800495 is finished in blue leather with individual pleated seats accented on the floor with blue Wilton carpet. The rear-hinged doors are trimmed in medium blue leather. A dash-mounted clock was included with the instrumentation, along with two large round gauges on either side of the center, including a tachometer, and a row of small rectangular gauges to the right. It has right-hand steering with a clear, hard plastic steering wheel with distinctive finger grooves around its perimeter and three chrome-plated banjo-type spokes.

The original owner was the French singer-songwriter Charles Trenet. Since new, it has been treated to a show-quality restoration.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2019