1947 Delahaye 135MS Figoni et Falaschi Narval Cabriolet

Chassis number 800495

1 of 7 Delahaye 135 Narvals produced

Flamboyant and artistic Figoni et Falaschi coachwork

1947 Paris Auto Salon show car

Originally owned by legendary French singer-songwriter Charles Trenet

Meticulous show-winning quality restoration

There are a few coachbuilders whose art and workmanship are immediately identifiable, but none as obvious and flamboyant as that of the Paris firm of Giuseppe Figoni et Ovidio Falaschi. When one gazes upon a Figoni et Falaschi body, the coachbuilder’s iconic styling becomes captivating. The flowing lines create a feeling of speed and elegance, and this car is one of their most memorable and desirable designs.

This fabulous Delahaye 135MS, Chassis No. 800495, was one of seven Delahaye Narvals crafted by the flamboyant and artistic Figoni et Falaschi. Making is debut at the 1947 Salon de L’Automobile de Paris, the Narval Cabriolet created a sensation. It was named Narval for its prominent front treatment, like a narwhal or perhaps a Beluga Whale, named—in French—for the Arctic Sea creature it resembles. The graceful lines of the hood, center section and trunk evoke the shape of the narwhal’s body, and the car’s protruding nose clearly references the unicorn-like tusk that distinguishes the male members of the species.

The Giuseppe Figoni-designed body features unique, chromed and curved side accents on each side of the hood. The chrome-plated front and rear bumpers are designed with artistically curved tubular bars. Full skirts envelope the front and rear wheel openings, creating a smooth aerodynamic styling cue.

The interior of 800495 is finished with individual pleated seats with the rear-hinged doors, all trimmed in leather. The instrument panel is equipped with two large round gauges on either side of the center, including a tachometer and a row of small rectangular gauges to the right. A dash-mounted clock was included with the instrumentation. The right-hand-drive steering wheel is made of transparent hard plastic with distinctive finger grooves around its perimeter and three chrome-plated banjo-type spokes. Its first owner was the legendary French singer-songwriter Charles Trenet (1913-2001), and a special “Charles Trenet La Carriere Antibes” plaque mounted on the dash rounds out this very special 1947 Delahaye 135 MS cockpit.

The 135MS chassis has a 116-inch wheelbase and uses independent front suspension, a live rear axle with parallel semi-elliptic springs, and cable-operated Bendix brakes with 17-inch Rudge center-lock wire-spoke wheels. The engine is a 3.6L inline 6-cylinder with overhead valves and three French Solex downdraft carburetors producing 125 HP. Power is connected to the rear axle by a unique Cotal 4-speed transmission with a preselector shift mechanism at the steering column. The construction and operation of the shifter is similar to that of the 1936-37 Cord 810-812. The 135MS is easily capable of 100 MPH speed.

This significant and iconic automobile represents a rare and unique opportunity to acquire one of the most desirable post-war cars ever created.