Joseph Figoni has done a masterful job as the chief designer of the Talbot T150 Teardrop but that didn’t end there of course. Back in the 30’s Figoni also did 11 of the Torpedo Cabriolet that featured the best two-paint scheme that has been ever seen during that decade. Joseph Figoni was a visionary and when he worked for Delahaye to produce a unique car, he did it and finishing it with flying colors. The first thing that you’ll notice on this car is its torpedo-shaped frame, hence the name and without a doubt, the inimitable design garnered a lot of praises when it was initially launched . For sure, it’s going to be hard to find automobiles such as this nowadays so let me give you some detailed information about the Torpedo Cabriolet.
Description
The Torpedo Cabriolet features a lot of flowing lines that emphasize the different sections of the car. This car has bulges and massive contours that also didn’t impede with its speed and aerodynamics. Moreover, the Torpedo Cabriolet has a dash that runs along its sides while ending in massive wheel skirts. It also has completely enclosed wire wheels, lights that are positioned at the far ends, and a distinct rear that looks like tails. Overall, the Torpedo Cabriolet has eye-popping features that can still impress even up to now.
Interior
The interior of the Torpedo Cabriolet may not be as gorgeous as what modern cars can offer but it’s nonetheless classy and even cozy. The Torpedo Cabriolet’s interior features an expensive amount of woodwork and a dashboard that has the word “art” written all over it. Additionally, you can find a soft-top that is located behind the two seats and honestly, I like the cabin space and the comfort that its interior offers.
The Performance
You can’t expect a massive V8 engine from this car although it has decent speed and power that can rival modern cars. The Torpedo Cabriolet has the legendary Water Cooled Inline-6 engine that is capable of spawning 115 horsepower and a maximum speed that can reach 100 mph. The fact is only the Alfa Romeo 2900, Duesenberg Model J, and Bugatti Type 57SC could compete against this Delahaye model and with kind of company, this car is pretty good.
History
The Delahaye company started way back in 1894 by the Frenchman named Emile Delahaye. From 1910-1940, the Delahayes were the most beautiful cars ever built and some of the best designers were Figoni et Falaschi, Chapron, and Letourner et Merchand. On a different note, the Torpedo Cabriolet was first introduced in the 1936 Paris Show using the Type 135 chassis. After the show, the said car was launched and it immediately won several high-profile races.
However, the war pretty much affected the sales of Delahaye cars thereby causing fluctuations when it comes to its profits and future production. The great thing about the Delahaye brand was that it continued to manufacture cars that are even better than German cars. Needless to say, it was a huge morale booster considering that the Germans occupied France with little opposition.
Eventually, the Delahaye brand was sold to Hotchkiss after the war and that signaled the end of its car production. After the takeover, the Delahaye name was dropped and it took several decades before the Torpedo Cabriolet surfaced again after years of obscurity. Only a few pieces of this car remained, nevertheless the few surviving ones brought back memories of the Delahaye brand’s dominance in the automotive industry and the unique designs that it introduced.
