Automodello 1937 Delahaye

Automodello 1937 Delahaye 135ms by Figoni et Falaschi

Webster defines perfection as:

1 : the quality or state of being perfect: such as

     a : freedom from fault or defect : FLAWLESSNESS

2   a : an exemplification of supreme excellence
     b : an unsurpassable degree of accuracy or excellence

It has often been said that a great automobile is one that can stand entirely on its own merits. Whether moving or standing still, it is not only beautiful, but it also has an almost magical aura that stops those who see it in their tracks. In the words of Thomas Wolfe, it is "freedom, sex, power, motion, color—everything." And this stands true viewing the Automodello replica of the sexy 1937 Delahaye 135ms by Figoni et Falaschi.

Figoni et Falaschi was a French coachbuilder firm which was responsible for some of the most elegant and graceful automobile body shapes seen from the 1930s through the 1950s. The actual designs of some of the most beautiful automobiles ever created were those of Giuseppe Figoni entirely.

Giuseppe Figoni had a passion for metal work and at the early age of 14 worked as an apprentice wagon builder. Soon thereafter he felt it was his duty to go off to war, which he did, returning to Paris after the War his love for metal working was enduring; it was magical to him. Figoni opened his soon to be very successful body repair shop and was modifying the coachwork of touring cars; the quality of his work didn't go unnoticed either. By 1925 Figoni was building complete bodies on a variety of chassis, including a.o. Delahaye, Bugatti, Renault, Delage, Panhard and Alfa Romeo.

It wasn't until 1935 when Figoni acquired a business partner by the name of Ovidio Falaschi. Ovidio ran the business end of the partnership while Giuseppe focused on design.

It was Figoni's keen eye for color and styles that assured him a place in the archives of Automobile History in which he will forever be remembered as one of the greatest designers/builders of all time.

And to continue to honor his great works Automodello recreated one of his masterpieces in 1:24th scale. As I stated earlier these models captured the beauty of this great builder to the T; these models not only are beautiful they are so sexy and that is not an easy feat to accomplish in anything let alone an automobile replica in 1:24th scale but Automodello did. Without a doubt the three models which crossed my desk are three of the most beautiful, flawless models I ever had the pleasure of reviewing. To hold these models in my hands and marvel at the quality of the build, the glass like paint, the flawless chrome accenting the model, the quality of the wire wheels has exceeded all my expectations. The lines are so crisp you will attempt to open all the doors but don't. I was happy just to absorb the beauty of the models before me. I will repeat again what I stated earlier; these three models are the best to ever cross my desk; they are "Perfection!"

Automodello produced this model in three edition variations which they label as follows.:

1937 Delahaye 135MS Figoni et Falaschi
Color: Aubergine
Scale: 1:24
Edition: Standard
Part #: 24D030
Price: $249.95 * limited to a build of 199

1937 Delahaye 135MS Figoni et Falaschi
Color: Bleu Clair Metallise
Scale: 1:24
Edition: Tribute
Part #: 24D031
Price: $349.95 * limited to a build of 37

1937 Delahaye 135MS Figoni et Falaschi
Color: Lark Metallise
Scale: 1:24
Edition: Tribute Edition to Automodello's First Decade
Part #: 24D032
Price: $359.95 * limited to a build of 43