Page 9 - Sample pages "Figoni on Delahaye" by Richard Adatto

CHASSIS 48563
Above: One patent drawing depicts the mechanics for lowering the windshield; that it drops between the dashboard and the fire wall. The second patent drawing shows the mechanics for lowering the side windows into the doors. FIGONI ARCHIVE
Left: This photograph shows that the center headlight has been removed along with the horns, and two driving lights have been installed, approximately located in the openings left by the horns. The original show car lacked bumpers, so once it left the event, it was necessary to install front and rear single-bladed bumpers. In addition, a traditional Delahaye radiator grill now replaces the show car’s grill, the company’s badge has been reinstalled in its usual position, and the chrome hood ornament has been removed.
FIGONI ARCHIVE
car from daily driving hazards. “The Ambassador,” continued Mr. Bernard, “kept the car until 1939 when World War II broke out.
At that point, it had apparently been driven for less than 1,000 kilometers. A Frenchman bought it and hid the car somewhere on the Côte d’Azur until an Italian army officer found it and took it to use as some sort of jeep. When the fortunes of war started to turn against him, the Italian fled home with the car, which the owner was able to find in Milan in 1947. Not easy to hide such an original piece!
French Customs kept the car for nearly a year, but finally its owner was able to restore it completely at the Figoni workshop, with help from the Delahaye factory. Three carburetors were added, making it a true hot rod, and the finishing touches were applied by the famous leather craftsman Hermès who replaced the beautiful red leather covering of the seats and door panels.
In 1949, the cabriolet was sold to a Mr. Hanselin, who registered it in Paris and repainted it Bugatti blue. When he eventually sold it to Jean-François Charton, the car still showed only 5,200 kilometers on its odometer. Mr. Charton repainted it ivory in 1978 and drove it very carefully until October 2001, when he sold it to Miles Collier—and even then, only 8,030 kilometers were on the odometer and it still bore its original registration number. The Delahaye is now restored and appears in the Collier Collection.
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