With the original trunk key, the identity of the missing body 566 was confirmed

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That’s what we call an impressive Delahaye being offered by Worldwide Auctioneers in their Scottsdale Auction on 26 January. The lines of this 135M Competition Drophead Coupé are simply stunning. It is the first Delahaye featuring Figoni's patented disappearing top. This luxurious French automobile is not only visually imposing but also comes with an amazing history.

1935 Delahaye 135M Competition Drophead Coupé

The 135M Competition Drophead Coupé offered is one of only four Delahayes built by Figoni in 1935 — and the only known survivor. Besides this, it is also the last known Delahaye to be built solely by Figoni before he went into partnership with Italian businessman Ovidio Falaschi. Moreover, it was this car — with bodywork #566 — that was exhibited at the 1935 Paris Motor Show, where the new firm Figoni et Falaschi would make its debut.

For a long time, it was thought that bodywork #566 had been lost during the war. The car’s provenance remained hidden until Sally Perkins, the current owner who acquired the car around 20 years ago and can be seen in the video, began researching it. The auctioneer tells us that "Mrs. Perkins’ passion project attracted an assembly of gentlemen who represent the deepest knowledge of this esoteric, yet splendid, French marque including the President of the Delahaye Club of France, Jean-Paul Tissot, long-time Delahaye archivist and author, Andre Vaucourt, noted engineer and designer, Bernard Brule and Delahaye aficionado and collector, Roger Tainguy, who would inevitably introduce Sally to the car's future restoration specialist, Jean-Luc Bonnefoy. Vaucourt described the extensive research project as, 'one of the most interesting and complex histories I have ever worked with.' There was an immense amount of research and speculation surrounding the car’s provenance and history, but it wasn’t until Monsieur Bonnefoy began disassembling the car for its nut-and-bolt restoration that the final piece of the puzzle was revealed. Long hidden inside the driver’s door panel was the original trunk key, which was stamped with, '566 - Figoni - 14 Rue le Moine'. The key fitted into the trunk and the identity of the missing body 566 was confirmed with Claude Figoni’s meticulously kept records."

And what do you think of the colour scheme of this Art Deco masterpiece? When the body was repainted, the exact nitrocellulose lacquer, in the correct colours that Figoni once used, was procured from Dupont, who bought the original paint company and to this day has maintained Figoni’s old paint records.

More information about this one-off 1935 Delahaye 135M Competition Drophead Coupé by Figoni and its history can be found here.

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