Delahaye car books - history and models

Delahaye - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book about Delahaye. Describes the Delahaye 12-16 hp, 20-30 hp, 23.8 Hp Drop-Head Coupé, 3.5 litre, Club Coupé V-12, Type 135, Type 135M, Type 135MS, Type 135 Competition Type 145, Type 165, Type 175 S, Type 235 and Type 235-M.

• Over 40 articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
• Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

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More information on the Brooklands Portfolio books

Figoni on Delahaye

This book highlights the artistic mastery of Joseph Figoni and his elegant designs for Delahaye automobiles. It explores his creative process through sketches, models, and rare surviving artifacts.

Modern photographs, including those by Michael Furman, capture the timeless beauty of Figoni's restored masterpieces. The Figoni Archive, featuring notebooks, vintage photos, and historical documents, provides valuable insights into these legendary cars.

The book presents over fifty Delahayes with Figoni's signature coachwork, offering detailed descriptions of each. An appendix, "Joseph Figoni's Designs and Drawings", includes many previously unpublished sketches.

Claude Figoni shares the story of his father's journey from modest beginnings to becoming one of France's leading coachbuilders. Richard Adatto offers personal reflections on his experiences with collectors and the restoration community.

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Delahaye - La belle carrosserie française

Antem, Chapron, Dubos, Faget-Varnet, Figoni & Falaschi, Franay, Guilloré, Labourdette, Letourneur & Marchand, Pourtout, Saoutchik... More than 80 coachbuilders dressed Delahaye cars from 1894 to 1954. This book brings together their works for the first time.

These coachbuilders, whether they created unique models or small series, artisans or renowned designers, all played a crucial role in building the legend of this prestigious brand, which never had its own coachbuilding workshop.

This exceptional book of 384 pages with more than 680 photos offers a complete and detailed view of the art of the men who designed Delahaye bodies, with an overview of their evolution over time.

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Figoni & Delahaye 1934-1954 - La haute couture automobile

Joseph Figoni, master coachbuilder, significantly contributed to the prestige of Delahaye automobiles from 1934 to 1954, introducing numerous innovations and modernizations. His elegant and groundbreaking designs made him a leader in the field, recognized as a master of modern coachbuilding and the automobile of the future.

Originally from Italy, Figoni moved to France in his youth. He opened a vehicle repair shop, eventually specializing in designing and building bodies, particularly for racing cars.

Figoni's coachwork helped Alfa Romeo win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1933 and 1934. This led to the creation of Carrosserie Figoni & Falashi in 1935, in partnership with Ovidio Falashi. Together, they coachbuilt nearly 150 Delahaye chassis.

Many of these vehicles are featured in prestigious concours d'élégance and Paris auto shows. This book, written by Jean-Paul Tissot, offers a comprehensive and unpublished study of Delahaye cars coachbuilt by Figoni, enriched with rare imagery from the archives of Claude Figoni, the son of the famous coachbuilder.

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Delahaye 135

Starting in 1936, the development of the six-cylinder 135 marked the brand's sporty direction and captured the interest of major coachbuilders. Styled by Chapron, Figoni and Falaschi, or Saoutchick, the 135 models varied from classic to bold or extravagant. The sportier versions earned impressive achievements, including winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1938. However, the war interrupted this success.

In 1946, Delahaye resumed production of the model, which embodied French elegance and grand tourism until 1951. The Delahaye 135, known for its durability and versatility, remains one of the most iconic models of French automotive history, even fifty years after its discontinuation.

This book covers the full history of the Delahaye 135.

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