Vehicle Description
Europe, and particularly France, during the late 1930s was a hotbed
of tremendous creativity and experimentation in coachbuilding.
Firms like Hooper, Fernandez & Darrin, and Barker began to
experiment with art deco style and ever more dramatic designs. But
it was the French carrossiers like Chapron, Saoutchik and Figoni et
Falaschi who truly embraced the high style of the Art Deco period
with their sweeping, magnificent and flamboyant bodies. Of the
great French design houses, it was Figoni et Falaschi that became
the benchmark for the era, doing their finest and most notable work
atop Talbot-Lago, Delage, Delahaye and Bugatti chassis. For
collectors, the combination of Figoni et Falaschi coachwork and the
race-bred Delahaye chassis is the ultimate expression of the
period; a virtually unattainable piece of artwork that epitomizes
the glamour of late 1930s France. For the enthusiast wishing to
experience ownership of such an iconic piece of motoring history,
options are limited to either being lucky enough to find one for
sale and then writing a very large check, or building a car of
their own inspired by these magnificent art-deco automobiles. In
the case of our featured automobile, it was a dedicated enthusiast
who desired to combine the flamboyant style of 1930s French
coachbuilding with the distinctly American tradition of the Hot
Rod. The result is this breathtaking 2003 Delahaye USA Boattail
Speedster, a fabulous tribute to the style of the iconic Figoni et
Falaschi Delahaye with a modern twist courtesy of a bespoke chassis
and modern power. The body styling comes courtesy of legendary hot
rod stylist Chip Foose, whose impressive design incorporates a
variety of themes from the era into one dramatic piece of rolling
sculpture. With this car, built by Delahaye USA, Foose brilliantly
incorporated numerous historical design cues but with a thoroughly
modern, almost futuristic touch. The fully skirted fenders call to
mind the Delahaye 165M Figoni, while the radiator shell and
cut-down windscreen recall the Bugatti Type 57SC.� Further
inspiration comes from Alan Leamy and Gordon Buehrig's fabulous
Auburn boat tail Speedster. The body was constructed and painted
over a four year period by Brown's Metal Mods of New York. It is
finished in a striking livery using House of Kolor paints;
Bloodhound Red over Jet Black. Paint quality is outstanding on the
body, which is constructed from a mix of fiberglass and steel. Body
moldings on the fenders were meticulously hand made by Tommy Caruso
of Contour Metalshaping in Plainfield, NJ and Mark Barton of The
Panel Shop in Stratford, CT. Fascinating details abound, such as
the genuine Hispano Suiza stork mascot, an accurate replica Bugatti
Type 57 radiator shell, and the rocket-inspired tail lights which
are actually 1937 Hudson hood ornaments turned 180 degrees and
illuminated with red Lucite. Eight custom tail pipes peek out from
beneath the rear body, hinting at the performance potential. Used
sparingly since completion, it remains in beautiful condition, and
the quality of construction is first-rate. The car rides on a 127"
wheelbase chassis built by Fat Man fabrications of North Carolina.
Suspension is independent up front with coil over shocks, with a
custom-built Ford 9-inch axle with air-ride control shocks in the
rear. The car sits impossibly low and long, with the fully skirted
fenders accentuating the length. Power comes via a Ford 302 cubic
inch V8 mated to a C4 automatic transmission, with power brakes and
power steering standard fare, so it is an easy and enjoyable drive.
The engine is finely detailed to give a 1930's period look with
minimal chrome, a custom air cleaner, fantastic bespoke finned
valve covers, and black and red striped lacquered ignition leads.
The two-place cockpit is trimmed in glove-soft black leather, as
artfully crafted as the rest of this breathtaking car.
Craftsmanship is first rate, with leather covering the seats, door
panels and cockpit rails. Beautiful wool carpets line the floors,
and a spectacular, Cubist-style instrument panel (hand painted by
Don "The Egyptian" Boeke, of Dayton, OH) houses an array of Omega
Kustom gauges. There is even a functional folding top in Haartz
Stayfast canvas, which disappears beneath a hard tonneau. Dramatic,
beautiful, and finely constructed, this 2003 Delahaye USA Speedster
is a fabulous tribute to the great French Carrossiers of the 1930s
while also celebrating the creativity and impeccable craftsmanship
that comes from the best of today's modern hot rodders; with
styling by one of the biggest names in the business, Chip Foose. It
remains in beautiful condition, having been used only sparingly
since its completion. It is ready for show or to drive, and is
certain to cause a sensation no matter where it goes.