Subdeacon Joe Posted July 20 Share Posted July 20 American Classic Rides · · 1949 Delahaye 175 S Saoutchik Roadster. Saoutchik was a cabinet maker when he moved to Paris from his home in Ukraine around 1900, but he didn’t take long to establish himself in the fledgling automotive coachbuilding industry and he showed a consistent flair over the next 50 years which puts him among the very elite of automotive designers. His designs borrowed little from other designers, and along with names such as Figoni et Falaschi, Chapron, Franay and de Letourner et Marchand, Saoutchik was one of the foremost designers of exquisite Art Deco coachwork during the 20s and 30s. Saoutchik was commissioned to produce the spectacular work-of-art by flamboyant English collector, Sir John Gaul. The design was based on the first post-war Delahaye chassis from a 175 S Roadster (chassis number 815023) producing 165 bhp from an engine much larger than the pre-war Delahayes ran – a 4,455 cc naturally aspirated overhead valve inline six cylinder engine with four-speed electro-mechanically actuated Cotal Preselector gearbox, Dubonnet coil spring front suspension, De Dion rear axle with semi-elliptic springs, and four-wheel hydraulic finned alloy drum brakes. The wheelbase was a whopping 116 inches. The car was unveiled at the 1949 Paris Auto Show, and was exhibited at all the major European concours events that year, from Paris to Monte Carlo to San Remo, scooping the pool wherever it was exhibited. It won best-in-class in the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2006 just a few months after a complete restoration. Just a few months later, the car was honored again, winning People’s Choice at theprestigious Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance. Having fulfilled its exhibition duties, it then passed through a succession of other flamboyant owners, including actress Diana Dors. The final word on this stunning automobile goes to Ian Kelleher, President and Chief Operating Officer, RM Auctions “Following the financial depression of World War II, there were few collectors with the means, flamboyance and flair to commission a car as exotic as this Saoutchik Roadster. Arguably the most desirable post-war, coachbuilt automobile of all time, it is truly a masterpiece of the coachbuilder’s art. Eye-catching and exotic, it is wonderful to drive and combines superlative styling on a chassis of competition quality.” Courtesy of RM Auctions 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted July 20 Author Share Posted July 20 https://www.supercars.net/blog/1949-delahaye-175-s-saoutchik-roadster/ https://www.rmw.lv/car/en/175s-roadster-by-saoutchik https://steampunktendencies.com/amazing-photos-of-the-classic-1949-delahaye-175-s-saoutchik-roadster/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delahaye_175 Manufacturer Delahaye Production 1948–1951 Designer Coachbuilders Body and chassis Class Luxury car Body style coachbuilt styles Layout FR layout Related Delahaye 135 Powertrain Engine 4,455 cc type 183 OHV I6 Transmission 4-speed pre-selector (Cotal) Dimensions Wheelbase 2.95-metres Length 4.62-metres Width 1.69-metres Height various Curb weight 2,100 kg (4,600 lb) Chronology Predecessor Delahaye Type 165 Successor Delahaye Type 235 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted July 20 Share Posted July 20 what a cool looking roadster , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted July 20 Author Share Posted July 20 1947 Delahaye 135MS Figoni et Falaschi Narval Cabriolet There are a few coachbuilders whose art and workmanship is immediately identifiable, but none as obvious and flamboyant as that of the Paris firm of Giuseppe Figoni et Ovidio Falaschi. When a true classic car enthusiast sees a Figoni et Falaschi body, the coachbuilder’s iconic styling becomes evident and the make of the chassis becomes secondary. The flowing lines create a feeling of speed and freedom. Figoni et Falaschi continued to build its elegant creations from the 1930s through the 1950s. Although Figoni created impressive designs for a number of important European chassis, some of the most memorable were on the French-built Delahaye. The most interesting and advanced custom bodies appeared on the 6-cylinder Delahaye 135M and MS, built from 1935 to 1954. Some enthusiasts consider the Delahaye 135M one of the most beautiful automobiles ever made, and the Figoni and Falaschi designs are an important basis of that idea. One of the most flamboyant Figoni et Falaschi designs was the Narval, or “Narwhal,” built on the Delahaye 135M chassis and introduced at the 1946 Salon de Paris. It was named Narval for its prominent front treatment, like a narwhal or perhaps a Beluga Whale, named—in French—for the Arctic sea creature it resembles. The graceful lines of the hood, center section and trunk evoke the shape of the narwhal’s body, and the car’s protruding nose clearly references the unicorn-like tusk that distinguishes the male members of the species. Delahaye 135MS Chassis No. 800495 was one of seven built with an example of the flamboyant and artistic Figoni et Falaschi Narval Cabriolet and was selected to be shown at the 1947 Salon de L’Automobile de Paris. Its first owner was the legendary French singer-songwriter Charles Trenet (1913-2001). The 135MS chassis has a 116-inch wheelbase and uses independent front suspension and a live rear axle with parallel semi-elliptic springs. Its cable-operated Bendix brakes and the 17-inch Rudge center-lock wire-spoke wheels with black sidewall tires were standard. The engine is a 3.6L, inline 6-cylinder with overhead valves and three French Solex downdraft carburetors producing 125 HP. Power is connected to the rear axle by a unique Cotal 4-speed transmission with a preselector shift mechanism at the steering column. The construction and operation of the shifter is similar to that of the 1936-’37 Cord 810-812. The 135MS is easily capable of 100 MPH speed. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted July 20 Share Posted July 20 Somebody's running down a really cool rabbit hole. Thanks SDJ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Father Kit Cool Gun Garth Posted July 20 Share Posted July 20 THEY JUST DON’T MAKE ‘EM LIKE THAT ANYMORE… https://lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/the-playground/2009/apr/13/they-just-dont-make-em-anymore/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Jones, SASS 2263 Posted July 20 Share Posted July 20 Where do you store the gun cart? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted July 21 Share Posted July 21 id mount it on that boat tail but im thinking its gonna get a lot of trash talk , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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