The 29th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in Florida captivated automotive enthusiasts and revealed a wealth of vintage treasures. Among them, the majestic 1947 Delahaye 135 MS Narval Cabriolet stole the show by winning the prestigious Best in Show Award. One of only six Narval convertibles ever built, this iconic car captured hearts with its unique design.
An extraordinary narwhal
The name “narwhal” is derived from the similarity of the car’s nose to the distinctive hump of a narwhal’s head. Manufactured in Paris by Delahaye, this marvel of automotive engineering was unveiled in 1947. It has retained its charm ever since, as the car on display at Amelia Island is the same one that was shown at the Paris Motor Show back in the day.
A story in harmony
This Delahaye Narval belonged to Charles Trenet, the famous French songwriter, and adds a touch of history to his family tree. Trenet shipped it to the United States in 1948 to accompany his concert tours. Since then it has passed through the hands of three passionate owners.
A brilliant resurrection
The lovingly restored car has been returned to its original color: burnt orange, a color that is close to the heart of coachbuilder Joseph Figoni. The latter, co-owner of the coachbuilding company Figoni et Falaschi, was known for his creations. The restoration brought the 1947 Delahaye 135 MS Narval Cabriolet back to a condition worthy of a contemporary Concours d'Elegance.
Ferrari star: 250 GTO from 1962
However, the Delahaye wasn't the only one who shined. The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO won Best in Show in the Concours de Sport category. This Ferrari has a glorious racing history and has been meticulously restored by Motion Products, retaining its 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans appearance.
Record event on Amelia Island
The event welcomed a record 27,000 visitors to the Golf Club and Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Amelia Island from February 29 to March 3. The participants benefited from seminars, film screenings and were amazed at the 250 vehicles on display. The auction was a triumph: a 1967 Ford GT40 Mk I Road Coupe became the most expensive car, selling for $4,405,000.
With information from Auto Evolution
The text “A Charles Trenet car triumphs on Amelia Island” comes from L'annuel de l'automobile – Automotive News