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The origins of Delahaye lie in a company set up as long ago as 1845 to produce brick-making machinery. Emile Delahaye was a railroad engineer who designed rolling stock for the French and Belgian railroads. He built his first car in 1895. Delahaye took over Delage in 1935, a maker of elegant cars and a company with an established clientele who demanded both performance and elegance. The Type 135M, first presented at the 1934 Paris Salon (just prior to the merger of the two companies), provided the perfect foundation for flamboyant coachwork by various carrossiers. A total of 2,592 were produced from 1935-1952, including 1,115 built post-WWII. Coachbuilder A. Guillore was located in Courbevoie, France, fitting custom bodies on cars from 1937-1951.
This example, with its original 3.5-liter, 95 horsepower overhead valve six-cylinder engine, was originally believed to have been delivered to the Netherlands, later arriving in Quebec in 1952.
This example, with its original 3.5-liter, 95 horsepower overhead valve six-cylinder engine, was originally believed to have been delivered to the Netherlands, later arriving in Quebec in 1952.
Delahaye produced motor vehicles from the mid-1890s to 1954. In 1935, Delahaye merged with Delage, resulting in a new and well-engineered Type 135 chassis. Power came from a large displacement 3.6-liter engine. The T135M of 1936 proved itself to be a capable motorsports competitor when a quartet of racing models placed 2nd through 5th at that year's French Grand Prix. In 1937, the Delahaye's earned an outright victory at the Monte Carlo Rally followed by another victory at the 1938 Le Man's 24-Hour race.
The Type 135 M had a low-slung chassis and was given stylish bodies by some of the best-known and most prestigious of French carrosseriers. Wartime halted production in 1940, but when it resumed, Delahaye introduced the Type 135 M in 1946. The 3.6L six continued to power the series through to its 1951 conclusion. In traditional French fashion, all 135 M chassis were right-hand drive.
This post-WWII Delahaye Type 135 M wears a body crafted by French carrosserier A. Guilloré. It is a close-coupled 2-door body that is known in Europe as a Coach Coupe. The completed car was delivered new in Amsterdam to an owner whose name is seemingly lost to history. It was acquired there in 1952 by Ralph McNight, a Canadian citizen. He had the car subsequently shipped from Holland to Quebec. By 1955, ownership had passed to a Jean Charest, a resident of a Montreal suburb. In 1960, Leon Frechon of Hudson, Quebec obtained the Delahaye —and sold it that same year to the current owner, also then living in the province. The current caretaker has preserved the Delahaye in its original mechanical configuration. It has its original 'matching numbers' engine which was gone over and received new bearings during a thorough overhaul of the chassis preparatory to the full body-off restoration completed in 1993.
The Delahaye has a two-tone exterior paint which pays tribute to the car's original monochromatic steel gray color. Its dual batteries were replaced in 2015, and the brake system's linings and operating cables were recently renewed.
Power is from an overhead valve six-cylinder engine fitted with a Solex carburetor. There is a 4-speed Cotal Electromechanical gearbox and four-wheel Bendix Duo-Servo mechanical brakes.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2016
The Type 135 M had a low-slung chassis and was given stylish bodies by some of the best-known and most prestigious of French carrosseriers. Wartime halted production in 1940, but when it resumed, Delahaye introduced the Type 135 M in 1946. The 3.6L six continued to power the series through to its 1951 conclusion. In traditional French fashion, all 135 M chassis were right-hand drive.
This post-WWII Delahaye Type 135 M wears a body crafted by French carrosserier A. Guilloré. It is a close-coupled 2-door body that is known in Europe as a Coach Coupe. The completed car was delivered new in Amsterdam to an owner whose name is seemingly lost to history. It was acquired there in 1952 by Ralph McNight, a Canadian citizen. He had the car subsequently shipped from Holland to Quebec. By 1955, ownership had passed to a Jean Charest, a resident of a Montreal suburb. In 1960, Leon Frechon of Hudson, Quebec obtained the Delahaye —and sold it that same year to the current owner, also then living in the province. The current caretaker has preserved the Delahaye in its original mechanical configuration. It has its original 'matching numbers' engine which was gone over and received new bearings during a thorough overhaul of the chassis preparatory to the full body-off restoration completed in 1993.
The Delahaye has a two-tone exterior paint which pays tribute to the car's original monochromatic steel gray color. Its dual batteries were replaced in 2015, and the brake system's linings and operating cables were recently renewed.
Power is from an overhead valve six-cylinder engine fitted with a Solex carburetor. There is a 4-speed Cotal Electromechanical gearbox and four-wheel Bendix Duo-Servo mechanical brakes.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2016
2016 RM Sotheby's : Hershey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $110,000-USD $140,000
Sale Price :
USD $77,000
2016 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $150,000-USD $200,000
Lot was not sold
1946 Delahaye 135M Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Delahaye 135M
(Data based on Model Year 1946 sales)
1946 Delahaye 135 M Graber Cabriolet Chassis#: 800320 Sold for USD$240,800 2024 Broad Arrow : Monterey | |
1946 Delahaye 135M Drophead Coupe Chassis#: 800319 Sold for USD$185,000 2024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Enthusiast Auction | |
1946 Delahaye 135 M Abbott Roadster Chassis#: 800440 Sold for USD$456,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1946 Delahaye 135 M Coupé Coachwork by Coachwork by Van Leersum Chassis#: 800311 Sold for USD$118,702 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
1946 Delahaye 135 M Coach by Guilloré Chassis#: 800217 Sold for USD$98,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1946 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet by Graber Chassis#: 800320 Sold for USD$274,793 2021 RM Sothebys : St. Moritz, Switzerland | |
1946 Delahaye 135 Cabriolet by Figoni et Falaschi Chassis#: 800308 Sold for USD$413,004 2020 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1946 Delahaye 135 M Coach by Guilloré Chassis#: 800410 Sold for USD$77,000 2016 RM Sotheby's : Hershey | |
1946 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet Chassis#: 800269 Sold for USD$193,421 2012 Bonhams - Paris, La Halle Freyssinet Motocars | |
1946 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet Chassis#: 48715 Sold for USD$200,273 2008 Bonhams - Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles Automobiles d'Exception | |
1946 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet Sold for USD$276,100 2004 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona |
Delahaye 135Ms That Failed To Sell At Auction
1946 Delahaye 135M's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1946 Delahaye 135M Coupe Coachwork by Van Leersum | 800311 | 2018 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | $450,000 | $550,000 | |
1946 Delahaye 135 Cabriolet by Graber | 800320 | 2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $450,000 | $650,000 | |
1946 Delahaye 135 M Coupe by Van Leersum | 2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ||||
1946 DELAHAYE 135M COACH COUPÉ | 800410 | 2016 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction | $150,000 | $200,000 | |
1946 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet | 800424 | 2015 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | $150,000 | $200,000 | |
1946 Delahaye 135M Roadster | 800429 | 2010 Leake Car Auctions 38th Annual Leake Auto Auction Market Hall | $100,000 |
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1946 Delahaye 135M
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