1938 Delahaye Type 135 MS Coupe, Figoni et Falaschi Teardrop bodywork

Believed to be the original owner based on the very low registration number; car was likely concealed from occupying forces during the war.

Based near Toulon in southern France; the car was found concealed behind bulrushes on her property in 1964 by Antoine Raffaelli. She formally registered the vehicle in her name in 1983, ahead of an anticipated sale.

Well-known for uncovering pre-war European automobiles; commissioned a thorough restoration by Jacques Conforti in Nice between 1986 and 1987, with the project documented in the French press.

Two successive owners held the car in the period between Raffaelli's sale and its entry into the Rosso Bianco Collection; no further details provided.

Held at Peter Kaus's celebrated museum in Aschaffenburg, Germany, as part of a prominent historic automobile collection.

American collector who commissioned a full nut-and-bolt restoration through Parisian consultant Benoit Bocquet and restorer Dominique Tessier; period photographs supplied by Claude Figoni guided the work back to the 1938 Salon specification. O'Quinn passed away unexpectedly in 2009 before the car was driven extensively.

A knowledgeable collector who undertook an extended four-month mechanical sorting process to bring all performance aspects up to standard after the previous restoration had seen limited use.

The coupe was displayed alongside a V-12 Delahaye 165 Cabriolet; the distinctive tri-color grille was part of the original show specification subsequently restored.

Full restoration by Jacques Conforti in Nice; deteriorated timber framing largely renewed and bodywork re-formed in steel to recreate the original teardrop profile. Work spanned 1986 to 1987.

The discovery and restoration were reported in the French automotive publication La Vie de l'Auto. The restorer sought confirmation that the car was the 1938 Paris Salon exhibit.

Minor styling revisions presumed to have been carried out in the 1940s, comprising a narrower restyled grille and chrome embellishments added to the leading edges of the front bumpers.

These changes were identified during the 1986–1987 restoration and were subsequently reversed in the later American restoration.

Comprehensive bare-chassis restoration commissioned by John O'Quinn, overseen by Parisian Delahaye specialist Benoît Bocquet and carried out by Atelier Automobiles Anciennes Dominique Tessier over approximately two years. Scope encompassed body, chassis, engine, gearbox, and interior. Period photographs supplied by Claude Figoni enabled the nose, tri-colour grille, and vee'd front bumper to be returned to their 1938 Salon specification. Exterior refinished in light ivory; interior in deep red leather with white piping.

Benoît Bocquet acted as consultant; Claude Figoni provided archival photographic evidence. Restoration was completed but the car saw limited driving before O'Quinn's death in 2009.

Four-month mechanical sorting programme following change of ownership: gearbox removed for flywheel ring-gear replacement, starter motor rebuilt, Solex carburettors cleaned and synchronised, new wheels manufactured on original hubs, correct hose clamps fitted, door latches and window mechanisms adjusted.

Carried out by or on behalf of the current owner to verify and restore full mechanical function after the car had sat little-used.

Re-chroming of multiple exterior components including the grille, bumpers, rumble-seat steps, bonnet hardware, hub knock-offs, and assorted smaller fittings, carried out as part of the post-acquisition sorting.

Electrical system audit and remediation: wiring, instrumentation, horns, battery, and cables all inspected and corrected as required.

Performed concurrently with the broader mechanical sorting after acquisition by the current owner.