1939 Type 135 MS  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
1938 Delahaye Type 135 news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
 |  |  | Cabriolet Coachwork: Figoni & Falaschi |
In 1938, a new, top-of-the-line model of the Type 135 was introduced at the 1938 Paris Salon, the MS (Modifeee Speciale). Its power plant was a thoroughly updated version of the existing 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine. A larger cylinder head and bigger valves improved breathing and horsepower was increased to 130hp and with proper gearing and slippery coachwork, could reach an incredible top speed of 110 mph.
In spite of the performance, it is the coachwork that defines a Delahaye. The greatest artists of the time created some of their best work on Delahaye chassis; Henri Chapron, Letourner et Marchand, saoutchik, Guillore, Franay, and Graber were just a few whose art graced Delahayes. However, if one coachbuilding firm deserves special distinction, it would be Figoni et Falaschi.
 |  |  | Cabriolet Coachwork: Figoni & Falaschi Chassis Num: 9803 BF59 |
This car was originally destined to be the 1939 Paris Auto Show display car, and had a custom interior made by Hermes. Owing to the impending war, the Paris Show was canceled, and the first owner was Mrs. Chandler. The car was exhibited at various prewar Concours d'Elegance. It was owned and raced postwar by French racing driver Marcel Contet. From 1960 to 2002, it was owned by the president of the Delahaye Club, Philippe Looten. It was fully restored in 2006, including a new custom interior and luggage by Hermes, recreating their original work from 1938.
The elegance is made even more elaborate by the use of chrome throughout the vehicle.
This is an excellent example of the work of the Giuseppe Figoni, an artist in metalwork. Much of his work centered around aerodynamics and creating the allusion of motion even at a stand-still. In 1935 Figoni acquired a partner, businessman Ovidio Flaschi, who also hailed from Italy, creating Figoni & Falaschi. This partnership created some of the most memorable designs of the 1930s through 1950s.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2009
 |  |  | Sports Cabriolet Coachwork: deVillars Chassis Num: 60112 |
| Sold for $1,712,000 at 2006 Bonhams. High bid of 830,000 at 2011 RM Auctions. (did not sell) Sold for $1,540,000 at 2013 RM Auctions. | |||
The chassis was built atop of the new 135 M Special, also known as MS, and powered by a four-main bearing 3557cc engine that was comprised of light alloy cinder heads and had a 8.4:1 compression ratio. Pushrods operated the 42 mm vertical inlet valves. The engine breathed through triple down-draft Solex carburetors and emptied into six exhaust ports which eventually feed into a single exhaust pipe. Power was rated at 125.
The car came standard with center-lock 5.50x17 Rudge-Whitworth wheels and rack-and-pinion gear for raising and lowering the side windows. The front suspension was independent, while the rear was comprised of semi-elliptic leaf springs. The drum brakes measured 14-inches in diameter and were suitable enough to keep this powerful, yet lightweight coupe in the control of its driver. There is a Cotal electromagnetic gearbox.
The immediate history after the salon is not fully known, but in the post-WWII era, it had come into the possession of Madame Michele Gautier of La Seyne-Sur-Mer. During some period in its history, the frontal area was modified with a narrower radiator grille and chrome lights on the edges of the wings, replacing the low-level lamps.
In 1964, Antoine Raffaelli came across this magnificent automobile. It was behind a reef hedge in South-West France and it took twenty-one years before Raffaelli was able to convince the owner to sell the car. Upon receiving the car in 1985, he began a complete restoration which took a couple of years to complete. It was offered for sale in 1990. Within a few years, it had made its way to the United States where it became a museum exhibit.
This car was offered for sale at the 2006 Bonhams & Butterfields auction held at the Quail Lodge in Carmel, California where it was estimated to sell between $1,000,000 - $1,300,000. At auction, this beautiful automobile was sold, selling for $1,712,000 and exceeding the estimated value.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2007
 |  | LWB Cabriolet Coachwork: Figoni Chassis Num: 49169 |
 |  |  | Cabriolet Coachwork: Figoni |
 |  |  | Cabriolet Coachwork: Henri Chapron Chassis Num: 49148 |
This 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Cabriolet has coachwork by Henri Chapron and was on display at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2010
 |  |  | Sports Cabriolet Coachwork: deVillars Chassis Num: 60123 |
| Sold for $852,500 at 2010 RM Auctions. | |||
The company later hired Charles Weiffenbach to help manage and organize their new operation. Weiffenbach would remain with Delahaye for fifty-five years, providing valuable insight after Emile Delahaye sold his interest in the company in 1901. The company had been sold to the Desmarais family, who could continue to product quick, responsive, and well-engineered vehicles in similar fashion to as when Emile was in control.
After World War I, the Delahaye company suffered in the post-War recession. The company would survive in-part due to a change in their business plan and by enhancing their performance image.
At the 1935 Paris Salon, Delahaye introduced their Type 135 which would become part of the company's mainstay for the rest of its lifetime. The Type 135 had a new chassis designed by engineer Jean-Francois. The platform featured a welded box-section side members and pressed cross members welded to a ribbed floor. Under the bonnet lurked a 3557cc overhead valve six-cylinder unit. Suspension was provided by transverse leaf springs independent front setup carried over from the earlier Type 138. The gearbox was a smooth Cotal electromagnetic transmission, enhancing the cars performance.
The 135 proved successful in racing, taking the first six places at the 1936 Marseilles race, a second at LeMans in 1937, and first, second and fourth place at LeMans the following year.
In 1938, at the Paris Salon, Delahaye introduced a new top-of-the-line model dubbed the Type 135 MS (Modifiee Speciale). The engine was an updated version of the existing 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine. It had a larger cylinder head, bigger valves to improve breathing, and a boost in horsepower to 130 hp. Depending on coachwork, the car had a top speed in the neighborhood of 110 mph. The horsepower rose even further when fitted with triple carburetion.
Along with impressive engineering, the Delahayes were given equally impressive coachwork. Artisians such as Figoni et Falaschi, Henri Chapron, Letourner et Marchand, Saoutchik, Guillore, Franay, and Graber were tasked with providing the coachwork.
This vehicle, chassis number 60123, has a flowing body, lack of running boards, bright trim on the rocker panels and fender edges, close-coupled two-passenger cabin, and a raked 'vee' windshield. There is a convertible top that disappears completely when lowered.
The design inspiration is said to have come from the Alfa Romeo Flying Star with coachwork by Touring of Milano.
In 1938, chassis 60123 was placed on the deVillars stand at the Paris Salon.
Power is from a 160 horsepower engine and powering a lightweight chassis. The car was long though lost, until it was discovered by a French enthusiast in the 1970s, who elected to undertake a thorough restoration to the French standards of the day. The work was carried out by one of the leading French shops of the day. After the work was completed, the car earned a Best in Show award at Bagatelle.
The current owner acquired the car in 2000 and immediately commissioned a comprehensive restoration. The body was completely stripped and removed from the chassis which was the fully disassembled to the last nut and bolt. The work was completed in 2003 and it received an invitation from nearly every major concours d'Elegance, including both Pebble Beach, where it won its class, and Amelia Island.
In 2010, this vehicle was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $1,000,000 - $1,250,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $852,500 inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2010
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
| BMW TO BE FEATURED AT SARATOGA AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM | |
 | • BMW History and Heritage on four wheels and two on display from May – November, 2013 Woodcliff Lake, NJ – March 8, 2013… BMW's rich heritage will be showcased at the Saratoga Automobile Museum in an exhibition called 'BMW – The Ultimate Driving Machine.' The exhibition, which will feature a retrospective of BMW cars and motorcycles, will run from May 6 – November 3, 2013. The array of BMW automobiles will include road cars and race cars, both from the modern era, as well as p...[Read more...] |
| Edsel Ford's Speedster Stars at 'The Amelia' | |
 | Edsel Ford's 'continental car', a custom boattail speedster, will take its rightful place in the Sports Car Class of the 18th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. In the shape of Edsel's seminal speedster is the genesis of Ford's legendary design department. Edsel Ford was hardly 'a chip off the old block'. The acorn fell well away from the mighty oak that was Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company. Edsel was not just the President of Ford, he was a car guy to his core. His ta...[Read more...] |
| CHRYSLER GROUP LLC AND FIAT S.P.A. ANNOUNCE MOST ACCESSORIZED VEHICLES AND TOP-SELLING ACCESSORIES | |
 | Mopar Offers More Than 25,000 Accessories Worldwide •Ram 1500, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Challenger are most accessorized vehicles in North America •Side steps, Jeep Wrangler tops and floor mats are best-selling accessories in North America •Fiat 500, Fiat 500L and Jeep Grand Cherokee among most accessorized vehicles in other global regions •Top-selling accessories announced for Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America February 11, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich....[Read more...] |
| Auctions America Reunites Original Mustang Owner With His Car | |
 | Nearly five decades after Leon Fake bought a new 1965 Ford Mustang GT, the Silver Blue convertible is back in his garage thanks to the Auctions America by RM Spring Carlisle auction in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Fake was one of several bidders chasing a dream car during the April 26-27 event in which 267 collector vehicles were offered with a 53% sell-through rate for more than $2.5 million* in total sales. 'I put 85,000 miles on this Mustang and sold it,' said Fake. 'I tried to buy it back a fe...[Read more...] |
| Size Matters: EcoBoost Gives Ford the Industry Lead in Reducing Engine Size Without Giving Up Performance | |
 | •Ford offers seven vehicles with the smallest engines in their segments – more than any other competitor •Powered by EcoBoost®CO2 emissions while delivering the performance customers demand technology, Ford's smaller engines help reduce vehicle weight for better fuel economy and lower •Ford's smallest engine yet, the EcoBoost 1.0-liter three-cylinder, debuts in North America about a year from now For decades, size meant everything when it came to engines – bigger was better and there was no...[Read more...] |
 1938
Delahaye
models |
| Delahaye Type 145 |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Auburn | Daimler |
| Delage | Duesenberg |
| Hispano Suiza | Hudson |
| Isotta | Packard |
| Peerless | Pierce Arrow |
| Talbot-Lago | Voisin |
| Delahaye: 1931-1940 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Delahaye History |
| Other models by Delahaye |
| Type 135 Type 145 Type 148 Type 235 |
| 1939 Type 135 MS |
