 1938 Type 135 |
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1939 Delahaye Type 135 MS news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Grand Sport Roadster Coachwork: Figoni & Falaschi Chassis Num: 60158 Engine Num: 60158 |
| Sold for $1,100,000 at 2006 Gooding & Company. Sold for $1,347,500 at 2007 RM Auctions. Sold for $1,118,313 (784,000) at 2011 RM Auctions. | |||
The 135M was the competition version which was first offered in 1936. By increasing the bore and adding triple carburetors and dual exhausts, the vehicles sporty persona was improved even further. The 135MS added larger exhaust valves and had a top speed of about 110 mph.
In the 1936 French Grand Prix, the Delahaye automobiles placed second through fifth positions. The following year they placed second in the Grand Prix.
In 1938, Delahaye introduced their paragon of sports cars, the 4.5-liter V12 Type 145 with three overhead cams. The engine produced nearly 240 horsepower.
The Delahaye company prospered for many years. As World War II neared, the company began to suffer due to national taxation policies. In 1954 they were taken over by Hotchkiss and brought the production of the Delahaye automobile to a halt.
This 1939 Delahaye 135 MS Grand Sport Tourer with coachwork by Figoni Et Falaschi was offered for sale at the 2006 Gooding & Company Auction held in Pebble Beach, Ca. The car is powered by a 3557-cc OHV six-cylinder engine that is capable of producing 160 horsepower. It has a four-speed manual gearbox and a transverse leaf independent front suspension.
This one-off Delahaye was first owned by Monsieur Jeantet of Paris. The car changed ownership several times after World War II. It has been driven in international rallies and featured in numerous books and magazines.
The car has been treated to a full restoration including a full engine rebuild. The door handles are blended into the sweeping chrome trim-work. There is a fully enclosed trunk mounted spare. The rear wheels are nearly fully enclosed.
At auction, this car was sold and accounted for one of the highest sales of the day. Its new owner purchased the car for 1,100,000.
A few months later, the car was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Amelia Island, Florida. The estimated value of the car at this time was $1,100,000 - $1,400,000. The car was sold for $1,347,500.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2007
 |  |  | Speciale Drophead Coachwork: Figoni & Falaschi Chassis Num: 60173 |
| High bid of $800,000 at 2011 RM Auctions. (did not sell) | |||
Delahaye would set to work designing a new and exciting car. Jean Francois, the company's designer, would start with a 3.2-liter straight-six engine that had been created based upon one of the company's successful truck engines. From there he would design a car around it. In 1935, Francois and Delahaye would introduce the 135, which was also known as 'Coupe des Alpes'.
The 135 would feature independent, leaf-sprung front suspension and a live rear axle. The car's engine could produce 95 hp with twin carburetors, but that number could go up to 110 hp with three downdraught Solex carburetors. Applying the power to the wheels came via either a four-speed Cotal pre-selector or a four-speed manual that was partially synchronized.
The car would immediately catch the eye of many racers and the car would enjoy a good deal of success. But it would get even better when the 'M' model, which stood for competition version, was introduced in 1936. This model 135 would have a larger bore 3.5-liter engine with triple carburetors. Now the Delahaye 135 could reach speeds of around 110 mph and had the reliability to take full advantage of it.
Delahaye had begun to change its image. It would be taken a step further when 'Grand Carrosseries', like Figoni et Falaschi, would begin designing exquisitely elegant bodywork over the sporty 135 frame. One such example of the body styles to have been so beautifully mated to the raw performance was what would become known as the 135MS 'Speciale'.
Only five of such bodywork styling was ever known to be constructed and the only known example to have survived would cross the block at the RM Auction in Monterey in August of 2011.
Born of simple origins like Delahaye, ‘La Morne Moineau' had her beginnings in poverty. She would sell flowers in nightclubs and would be heard singing as she travelled the streets. Her signing would eventually cause her to be discovered by Paul Poiret and she would be vaulted to fame as she would begin singing in Parisian nightclubs.
She would eventually make her way to Broadway where she would meet and marry Felix Benitez. From then on her turnaround would be made complete. She would go from rags to what some believed to be the richest woman in the world during the 1930s. Besides her yacht, villas and her own private DC3 airplane, La Morne Moineau would also come to own chassis number 60173, the very example that would go up for auction this year.
Seen in the United States for the first time ever, this car has earned numerous awards over the years in events in France and went through restoration in the late 1980s to retain its elegance. Complete with distinctive three-position top, vast amounts of research conducted by Claude Figoni and known to be the only remaining example of the ‘Speciale', the car was expected to earn between $950,000 and $1,250,000 at auction.
Besides its brilliant finish and tan leather interior complete with beautiful wood accents and instrument panel, the car comes complete with a treasure chest full of history. Not only does the car turn heads, but because of its history, it has the ability to touch hearts as well. At auction, bidding reached $800,000 but was not enough to satisfy the reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.
Sources:
'Feature Lots: Lot No. 275: 1939 Delahaye 135MS 'Speciale' by Figoni et Falaschi', (http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=MO11&CarID=r299&fc=0#). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=MO11&CarID=r299&fc=0#. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
'Delahaye: 1939 Delahaye Type 135MS', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z13282/Delahaye-Type-135-MS.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z13282/Delahaye-Type-135-MS.aspx. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
Wikipedia contributors, 'Delahaye', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 12 August 2011, 09:38 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Delahaye&oldid=444413674 accessed 16 August 2011
Wikipedia contributors, 'Delahaye 135', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 12 August 2011, 10:13 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Delahaye_135&oldid=444416991 accessed 16 August 2011By Jeremy McMullen
Emile Delahaye was born in Tours, France in 1843. He studied engineering in Angers, France. In 1869 he began work with his engineering degree in applied arts and crafts.
Emile Delahaye began business in Tours, France in the middle of the 19th century for the purpose of constructing engines for the ceramic industry. The company branched out and began constructing mechanical appliances such as pumps and engines. In 1888, Delahaye designed an internal combustion engine for the shipping industry. It was not until 1896 that Automobile production began for Delahaye. His first automobiles produced were powered by belt-driven single and twin cylinder engines.
Emile used motor racing to promote his vehicles. In 1896, Emile Delahaye entered the Paris-Marseilles race. Not only did he enter a vehicle his company had created, but he entered as the driver. The results were astounding, which truly speaks highly of the caliber and quality of the automobile. The demand for the vehicles began pouring-in and a second factory was opened.
Due to failing health, Delahaye was forced into retirement in 1901. This was a year after the second factory was opened in Paris. Since Delahaye had no heirs, management control was passed onto a young engineer named Charles Weiffenbach. Weiffenbach oversaw operations until 1954.
In 1905, due to failing health, Emile Delahaye passed away.
Automotive racing was paramount during this period in history. This is why many of the vehicles built during this era were built to be raced and to be used as the daily driver. The sales of the vehicles were stimulated by the way the vehicle performed on the race track. Weiffenbach, however had a different philosophy. His main focus and priority was to build dependable vehicles. Many of the early vehicles were equipped with four cylinder engines capable of producing between 9-12 horsepower. Near the beginning of the first World War, a 6 cylinder, 2565cc, engine was used.
In addition to automobiles, the Delahaye company produced trucks, lorries, parcel carriers for the post office, motor ploughs, fire engines, and other commercial and military vehicles. Many of the vehicles were used during the First World War
From 1927 to 1933, productions of the medium-class cars were low, but the vehicles that were produced carried with them a reputation of being reliable and robust.
In the early thirties, Weiffenbach, also known as 'Monsieur Charles' by his piers, was in his early 60's. The decision was made to boldly move into the sports car arena. This was in response to the market trends and a way to re-establish a competitive edge in the automotive technology spectrum. For an automotive company that had never created a car that could achieve a top speed faster than 110 km/h, this would be a major undertaking.
Jean Francois, a 29 year-old engineer, was commissioned to construct a series of sporty cars using as many of the spare parts as possible. Talbot's new independent suspension was used along with a new chassis with box-section side members. The engine was borrowed from one of their trucks. The engine featured a 65mm crankshaft with internal lubrication. In 1933, the vehicles were introduced at the Paris Car Salon. They were the 4 cylinder 12CV and the 6 cylinder 18CV. At the show, Lucy O'Reilly Schell approached Weiffenbach with a request to have a vehicle built that could be entered in rally events.
Lucy O'Reilly, a wealthy American with an Irish origin, had a passion for racing. So fueled by Delahayes desire to produce sports cars and Reilly's financial backing and quest to win motor sport events, the company re-entered the racing scene.
The Type 135 was created with variants such as the 135 Competition Speciale (135 CS), designed specifically for racing. The 135 Sport and the 135 Coupe both featured a 3.2 liter engine. The Sport produced 96 horsepower while the Coupe had 110 horsepower. 120 horsepower was produced by the 3.6 liter engine that rested in the Type 135 Competition model. The engine in the 135 CS was a simple pushrod operated engine borrowed from the 1927 Type 103 truck engine. It gave up horsepower for great acceleration and torque.
The Type 135 is considered as one of the most famous and prestigious vehicles produced by Delahaye. In both design and racing competition, it was very successful. Designed in 1934 it was quickly entered into races such as the 24 Heures du Mans, the Monte-Carlo Rally, and the Paris-Saint-Raphael motor race, where it had great successes at being a competitive and reliable automobile.
The Type 135 Competition Speciale Sports Car (CS) had a chassis 25 cm shorter than the 135 touring car. This shortened version had better weight distribution which greatly improved the handling and performance. The engine and 4-speed Wilson epicyclic gearbox was placed lower in the chassis, thus contributing to the benefits of a better balanced vehicle. The 135 CS came equipped with an 80 liter or a 100 liter fuel tank, this option was left up to the buyer's discretion.
The 135 CS was debut in the 1936 Monte Carlo Rally where it finished 2nd in a field of fierce competition. In 1936 it was the winner of the Marsailles Gran Prix. At the French Gran Prix is placed second, third, fourth and fifth.
Well-known coachbuilders, such as Franay, Letourner & Marchard, Chapron, and Guillore, were tasked with outfitting the 135's. This may have been influenced by Delage, an automotive company that Delahaye merged with in 1935. As a result, the 135 won numerous awards for styling and design.
The Type 135's are truly a prestigious masterpiece with a strong racing history and a heritage that was formed on stability, robustness, and stamina.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2007
For more information and related vehicles, click hereEmile Delahaye began business in Tours, France in the middle of the 19th century for the purpose of constructing engines for the ceramic industry. The company branched out and began constructing mechanical appliances such as pumps and engines. In 1888, Delahaye designed an internal combustion engine for the shipping industry. It was not until 1896 that Automobile production began for Delahaye. His first automobiles produced were powered by belt-driven single and twin cylinder engines.
Emile used motor racing to promote his vehicles. In 1896, Emile Delahaye entered the Paris-Marseilles race. Not only did he enter a vehicle his company had created, but he entered as the driver. The results were astounding, which truly speaks highly of the caliber and quality of the automobile. The demand for the vehicles began pouring-in and a second factory was opened.
Due to failing health, Delahaye was forced into retirement in 1901. This was a year after the second factory was opened in Paris. Since Delahaye had no heirs, management control was passed onto a young engineer named Charles Weiffenbach. Weiffenbach oversaw operations until 1954.
In 1905, due to failing health, Emile Delahaye passed away.
Automotive racing was paramount during this period in history. This is why many of the vehicles built during this era were built to be raced and to be used as the daily driver. The sales of the vehicles were stimulated by the way the vehicle performed on the race track. Weiffenbach, however had a different philosophy. His main focus and priority was to build dependable vehicles. Many of the early vehicles were equipped with four cylinder engines capable of producing between 9-12 horsepower. Near the beginning of the first World War, a 6 cylinder, 2565cc, engine was used.
In addition to automobiles, the Delahaye company produced trucks, lorries, parcel carriers for the post office, motor ploughs, fire engines, and other commercial and military vehicles. Many of the vehicles were used during the First World War
From 1927 to 1933, productions of the medium-class cars were low, but the vehicles that were produced carried with them a reputation of being reliable and robust.
In the early thirties, Weiffenbach, also known as 'Monsieur Charles' by his piers, was in his early 60's. The decision was made to boldly move into the sports car arena. This was in response to the market trends and a way to re-establish a competitive edge in the automotive technology spectrum. For an automotive company that had never created a car that could achieve a top speed faster than 110 km/h, this would be a major undertaking.
Jean Francois, a 29 year-old engineer, was commissioned to construct a series of sporty cars using as many of the spare parts as possible. Talbot's new independent suspension was used along with a new chassis with box-section side members. The engine was borrowed from one of their trucks. The engine featured a 65mm crankshaft with internal lubrication. In 1933, the vehicles were introduced at the Paris Car Salon. They were the 4 cylinder 12CV and the 6 cylinder 18CV. At the show, Lucy O'Reilly Schell approached Weiffenbach with a request to have a vehicle built that could be entered in rally events.
Lucy O'Reilly, a wealthy American with an Irish origin, had a passion for racing. So fueled by Delahayes desire to produce sports cars and Reilly's financial backing and quest to win motor sport events, the company re-entered the racing scene.
The Type 135 was created with variants such as the 135 Competition Speciale (135 CS), designed specifically for racing. The 135 Sport and the 135 Coupe both featured a 3.2 liter engine. The Sport produced 96 horsepower while the Coupe had 110 horsepower. 120 horsepower was produced by the 3.6 liter engine that rested in the Type 135 Competition model. The engine in the 135 CS was a simple pushrod operated engine borrowed from the 1927 Type 103 truck engine. It gave up horsepower for great acceleration and torque.
The Type 135 is considered as one of the most famous and prestigious vehicles produced by Delahaye. In both design and racing competition, it was very successful. Designed in 1934 it was quickly entered into races such as the 24 Heures du Mans, the Monte-Carlo Rally, and the Paris-Saint-Raphael motor race, where it had great successes at being a competitive and reliable automobile.
The Type 135 Competition Speciale Sports Car (CS) had a chassis 25 cm shorter than the 135 touring car. This shortened version had better weight distribution which greatly improved the handling and performance. The engine and 4-speed Wilson epicyclic gearbox was placed lower in the chassis, thus contributing to the benefits of a better balanced vehicle. The 135 CS came equipped with an 80 liter or a 100 liter fuel tank, this option was left up to the buyer's discretion.
The 135 CS was debut in the 1936 Monte Carlo Rally where it finished 2nd in a field of fierce competition. In 1936 it was the winner of the Marsailles Gran Prix. At the French Gran Prix is placed second, third, fourth and fifth.
Well-known coachbuilders, such as Franay, Letourner & Marchard, Chapron, and Guillore, were tasked with outfitting the 135's. This may have been influenced by Delage, an automotive company that Delahaye merged with in 1935. As a result, the 135 won numerous awards for styling and design.
The Type 135's are truly a prestigious masterpiece with a strong racing history and a heritage that was formed on stability, robustness, and stamina.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2007
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 1939
Delahaye
models |
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| 1938 Type 135 |
