The Delahaye is the epitome of Art Deco on wheels, particularly the two models shown above from the late 1930’s. Those voluptuous fenders known as the French curve reflected the periods fascination with flight, strongly resembling the fairings on the wheels of Rene Couzinet’s Rainbow Plane.

Emile Delahaye founded his automotive manufacturing company in France in 1894,  creating vehicles for 60 years until they closed their doors in 1954. It’s remarkable that a company could produce such stunning cars for over half a century, and yet be unknown to the general public by the turn of the millennium. It seems the French government levied punitive taxes aimed at luxurious non-essential products after World War II, making life very difficult for all luxury auto-makers in France. Thus most Delehaye autos were allocated for export to French colonies, including those in Africa. The exception to the rule being military vehicles, which they also produced. During the early 1950’s a jeep-like vehicle known as the VLRD was created to compete with the ‘traditional’ American jeep built during the same period…. we all know how that turned out. By the way, the American Jeep was founded in 1941 and has continued to be a strong brand for 75 years, with a little government help during the great recession of 2008.

As I’ve mentioned before, Art Deco is the celebration of speed and joyous movement, particularly in regards to planes, trains and automobiles. The stunning red Delahaye above personifies art deco, and if I were to place money on the one car in the museums collection that could have inspired the exterior of the new Peterson, this would be the car. The bold candy apple red color combined with voluptuous curves and strong visceral bands of chrome, make a strong argument for the sexy exterior of the museum.

Check out this great video I found with British sex symbol Diana Dors, posing with her Delahaye, as well as footage that lets you hear how amazing this car sounded.