Vehicle Description
Armed with just three employees and two lathes in a tiny workshop
in Levallois-Perret, Louis Delage began his journey to the top of
the French motoring industry in 1905. As a former Peugeot man,
Delage knew from the onset to surround himself with talent, and one
of those three employees was previously Peugeot's chief engineer.
In the early years of his firm, Delage primarily built
smallvoiturettesutilizing de Dion-Bouton engines. However, as his
interest in motorsport grew, so did the size and power of his
motorcars. By 1910, a new factory was necessary to accommodate the
demand for Delage's successful new four-cylinder model. After the
first world war, production expanded again to include a
six-cylinder model, with ever-increasing performance. With the
growth, Delage achieved even greater success on the world
motorsport stage, becoming one of France's most revered and
successful marques. By the 1920s, Delage hit its stride. Their
beautiful and technically advanced automobiles were winning races
around the world and finding favor with France's cultural elite.
But high development costs of the superb D8 and its six-cylinder
sibling, the D6, led to a financial crisis, and bankruptcy loomed.
Hometown rivals Delahaye swept in and took over Delage in 1935.
Delages built after 1935 shared common architecture with Delahaye,
but the former retained their superior hydraulic brakes and robust
short-stroke engine designs. In 1937, the flagship of the D6
series, the D6-70, arrived. Powered by a 2,729 cc overhead-valve
inline-six, the D6-70 was a great road car and a successful racer,
earning Delage victory in the 1938 Donington Park TT, second
overall at LeMans in 1939, and again ten years later in 1949.
Roadgoing D6-70s typically received stylish coachwork worthy of
their superlative performance, and there was no more prestigious
pairing than that of a Delage chassis with a Figoni et Falaschi
body. Founder Giuseppe "Joseph" Figoni was born in Italy in 1894
and came to France when he was just three years old. As a teenager,
he apprenticed as a carriage-maker before serving in the French
military for seven years. In 1923, he opened a body repair shop in
Boulogne and quickly won the admiration of clients who called upon
his skills for repairs and modifications. Figoni progressed into a
full-fledged coachbuilderby1925 and ten years later, partnered with
Ovidio Falaschi, a Tuscan businessman with a penchant for fast,
stylish motorcars. Falaschi's financial backing allowed Figoni to
experiment with increasingly flamboyant designs on the best chassis
of the period, all the while honing his exquisite sense of balance
and proportion. Figoni'sGoutte d'Or("drop of gold") coupe body on a
Talbot T-150 chassis marked cemented his reputation as one of the
most respected and reveredAvant-Gardecoachbuilders of all time.
Wearing stunning 3-position drophead coachwork by Figoni et
Falaschi, this eminently desirable pre-war Delage D6-70 is a
magnificent example ofle belles voitures Fran�aises. According to
marque experts, chassis number 51740 is the second in a series of
four similar Delages bodied by Figoni et Falaschi between April and
June of 1939. It wears its original coachwork, verified by the
Figoni serial number (757) found throughout the car. Delage and
Figoni historians believe this example debuted at the 1939 Concours
d'Elegance au Bois de Boulogne, where it took home a well-deserved
gold medal on its maiden outing. However, the car's early concours
career was cut short, as war enveloped Europe, and the owner hid it
away in Portugal to keep it safe from occupying forces. It remained
there after the war, quietly undisturbed until its discovery in
1974. Following its discovery and sale to only its second owner,
51740 was restored in Europe and lived a relatively low-key life
before making its way to the United States in 2001. In 2006 the
Delage joined the private collection of an enthusiast who lovingly
maintained and enjoyed it on casual events and outings. This
stunning Figoni-bodied Delage has recently been mechanically sorted
and cosmetically freshened with gorgeous new paint, a new
convertible top, and restored brightwork. Presented in a striking
dark blue over red livery, chassis 51740 is beautifully finished
and equally suited for concours or touring use. Typical of most
Figoni coachwork, the body has near-perfect proportions, with
graceful curves and exquisitely judged details. The body-color
steel wheels with fresh black wall Michelin cross-ply tires lend it
all the presence and drama of the larger D8, yet in a more
user-friendly package. Fine details include proper Marchal
headlamps and driving lamps, a multi-function opening and folding
windscreen, three-position canvas top, and the signature chrome
sweeps and highlights that define a classic Figoni et Falaschi
body. The richly-appointed red leather cabin benefits from recent
detailing and has taken on a charming character from the previous
owners' occasional use. It accommodates four passengers in comfort,
and the generous boot allows for ample luggage for long-distance
touring. Wood on the dash and door caps is in excellent condition,
with a beautiful, glossy finish. Switchgear, instrumentation, and
controls all appear to be well-kept since the car's earlier
restoration. As part of the recent refurbishment, a new navy-blue
canvas top was made to complement the exterior color. The
numbers-matching 2.7-liter inline-six is in top-specification with
triple Solex carburetors and a Cotal four-speed pre-select gearbox.
The engine is well-detailed, and recent mechanical sorting ensures
the performance is on-par with the car's sublime looks. The D6-70
reveals itself as a true dual-purposeGrand Routier,with ample
power, sporty handling, and an addictive exhaust note, combined
with a refined ride and luxurious trimmings. It is an enormously
satisfying driver's car that has proven itself with a flawless
performance on a recent road tour, and it is prime for continued
enjoyment. Combining racing pedigree with unrivaled style, this
marvelous D6-70 would be a perfect entry into virtually any
prestigious touring event, including the Colorado Grand, California
Mille, or Copperstate 1000. Regardless of how its next caretaker
chooses to enjoy it, this stunning Delage will continue to impress
just as it did when it first rolled out of the Figoni et Falaschi
workshop in 1939. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6458-1939-delage-d6-70-figoni-et-falaschi-drophead-coupe/
