1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Coupe: Figoni & Falaschi’s Timeless Masterpiece

Timeless Contour - There’s something magical about the way certain cars seem to capture the spirit of an era while simultaneously pointing toward the future. Among these automotive icons, the 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Coupe by Figoni & Falaschi stands out not just as a vehicle, but as a moving work of art. Emerging from the fertile imagination of two of France’s most celebrated coachbuilders, Joseph Figoni and Ovidio Falaschi, this coupe represents a perfect marriage of engineering excellence and aerodynamic beauty. Its creation was more than a response to market trends—it was a bold statement of style, speed, and sophistication at a time when the world was beginning to recover from economic hardship. 

The 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Coupe by Figoni & Falaschi. (Picture from: WeirdWheels in Reddit)

From the first glance, the Delahaye 135 Competition Coupe commands attention. Its body, painstakingly hand-crafted from aluminum, features flowing, aerodynamic lines that sweep from the hood to the rear fenders. Teardrop-shaped chrome accents accentuate its contours, while flush-mounted headlights and door handles enhance its sleek profile. Inside, the cockpit exudes elegance with a golden wood dashboard—a signature of Figoni & Falaschi—and a minimalistic layout optimized for racing. A sliding metal sunroof and a bottom-opening windshield offer practical ventilation, blending functionality with style. 

The 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Coupe by Figoni & Falaschi. (Picture from: Mad3Wheels)

The heart of the coupe was a 4-liter Delahaye six-cylinder engine, equipped with three Solex carburetors. This engine balanced reliability with performance, producing a level of power and responsiveness suitable for both spirited driving and competitive rallying. A four-speed competition-style manual transmission further emphasized the car’s sporty intentions, while a Jaeger rally clock on the dashboard reflected the Coupe’s racing pedigree. Storage was limited, with just enough space for a spare tire in the trunk, a reminder that this car was built for passion rather than practicality. 

The 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Coupe by Figoni & Falaschi. (Picture from: Magazine.DeRivas-Ives)

The story of this coupe is inseparable from the people who commissioned and cherished it. Albert Perrot, a French racing driver, originally requested the car, ensuring its design and specifications were tailored for spirited driving. It later became a centerpiece at the Cannes concours d’elegance under the ownership of the Comtesse de la Saint Amour de Chanaz, and during World War II, it was carefully hidden from German forces. 

The 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Coupe by Figoni & Falaschi. (Picture from: Magazine.DeRivas-Ives)

Post-war, the coupe found its way into the hands of celebrated actress Dolores del Rio, who lived between Mexico City and Los Angeles, highlighting the car’s appeal among connoisseurs of both speed and style. The Delahaye Company itself was undergoing a period of reinvention in the mid-1930s. Following the global economic downturn, the brand sought to shed its reputation for dependable but conservative vehicles. 

The 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Coupe by Figoni & Falaschi. (Picture from: Carpedia.ru)

The Type 135 Sport, introduced in 1935, combined a luxurious six-cylinder engine with a sportier, lower-slung chassis. This design made the car a favorite among French coachbuilders, while innovations like independent front suspension and arched rear frame members enhanced handling and performance. With up to three carburetors, the engine delivered between 95 and 113 bhp, and optional high-performance versions could reach 152 bhp, establishing the 135 as a versatile platform for both road and track. 

The 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Coupe by Figoni & Falaschi. (Picture from: Carpedia.ru)

Competition success played a pivotal role in the car’s prestige. The 135 was a key player in the Ecurie Bleue racing team, spearheaded by American Lucy Schell, who envisioned a French equivalent to Ferrari’s racing dominance. Victories in events such as the Coupe des Alpes rally cemented the 135’s reputation as a high-performance machine capable of triumphing against faster, less reliable competitors. These successes inspired the creation of the shorter-wheelbase 135 Competition models, perfect for Figoni & Falaschi’s groundbreaking aerodynamic designs. 

The 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Coupe by Figoni & Falaschi. (Picture from: Carpedia.ru)

Through the decades, the 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Coupe has passed through the hands of passionate collectors who preserved and restored its original character. Don Williams acquired the car for the Blackhawk Collection in the 1990s, later replaced its postwar engine, and ultimately, James Patterson restored it to its original glory, reinstalling the engine and returning the coupe to the elegance envisioned by its creators. Each ownership chapter added layers to the car’s story, reinforcing its status as both a historical artifact and a symbol of automotive artistry. | Csp9KWZBeWY |

What makes the Delahaye 135 Competition Coupe enduring is its ability to transcend its era. It captures the optimism, elegance, and daring of 1930s France while remaining astonishingly modern in aesthetic appeal. Every line, every detail, speaks to the vision of its makers and the audacity of those who commissioned it. Even today, this coupe continues to captivate, offering a glimpse into a time when cars were not merely transportation but expressions of ambition, beauty, and speed. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FRISTARTMUSEUM | MAGAZINE.DERIVAZ-IVES | CARPEDIA.RU | ULTIMATECARPAGE | MAD4WHEELS | WEIRDWHEELS IN REDDIT ]

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