Tucked over in the corner of Pebble Beach resorts is Spanish Bay, a more modern setup than the relatively classic (albeit still uber-lux) accommodations at The Lodge. And in a corner of a mini classic car display at Spanish Bay?
This surreal 1948 Delahaye.
It took more than a few minutes to even identify this car tonight – we even wondered if it was a replica briefly, simply because there is little info about each of these low-batch supercars handcrafted near Paris.
The 135M is very enchanting in a rich black monotone — which is quite a contrast with many of the 175 roadsters in a bright color or dual-tone paint finish.
The thing about these unreal Delahaye post-war models is that they are absolutely impossible to make. Those super-contoured panels require a very specific level of aluminum craftsmanship. They absolutely cannot be stamped or mass-produced. Most modern replica makers cannot even get close to these giant balloon fenders. They, like Bugatti for many years, prefer to make the fenders in two stages and join them with rivets around the top.
We are not 100-percent certain about how Delahaye coachbuilders Figoni and Falaschi created panels like this. Aluminum is soft and more malleable than steel, but there may be some welding and polishing of multiple panels.
Or not.
These cars took about a year to make. Each. And you see no panel gaps. Just amazing chrome, endless paint depth, and scale like a spaceship or a flattened school bus. Huge.
If this car is indeed authentic, it is one of ~four in existence.
Priceless.
Delahaye.
1948 DELAHAYE 135M Figoni et Falaschi
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.