1938 Delahaye 135M Torpedo Roadster by Figoni et Falaschi

Offered by Gooding & Company | Pebble Beach, California, August 2024

This is one of the swoopiest old cars we’ve ever featured. Figoni et Falaschi, the coachbuilder responsible for some of the best – or at least, wildest – designs of this era displayed a very similar example on Delahaye’s 135M chassis at the 1936 Paris Motor Show.

The 135M was introduced for 1936 and saw power from a 3.6-liter inline-six with three downdraft carburetors for a listed output of 116 horsepower. This particular car was ordered new by the Algerian importer for a client. The trail then goes cold.

It wasn’t until 1992 that it was found, relatively complete, in Algeria. It was then shipped to France and restored, with work finalized by 1997. In 1999, it was purchased by the Petersen Museum, where it has remained since. There were apparently 11 of these built, with this being #8. Only about five survive – and this one is going back into circulation with an estimate of $2,000,000-$3,000,000. Click here for more info.