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1938 Delahaye Type 135 Cabriolet

This handsome cabriolet was bodied by the French firm, Figoni & Falaschi. Built on a long chassis, this car was delivered with leather furnishings by Hermes of Paris. It is the only time that the noted firm has ever outfitted an automobile. The car was restored for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2006 using the original Hermes patterns from 1938.

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

No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.

1938 Delahaye Type 135 Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Delahaye Type 135

(Data based on Model Year 1938 sales)
1938 Delahaye 135 M Cabriolet by Chapron
Chassis#: 49304
Sold for USD$207,200
  2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey
 
1938 Delahaye 135M Torpédo Roadster
Chassis#: 49169
Sold for USD$2,095,000
  2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  
1938 Delahaye 135 MS Figoni et Falaschi Coupe
Chassis#: 60112
Sold for USD$1,325,000
  2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia
1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  
1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coach par Guilloré
Chassis#: 49373
Sold for USD$43,502
  2022 Artcurial : Le Mans Classic
 
1938 Delahaye 135 M Three-position Drophead Coupé
Chassis#: 48721
Sold for USD$258,594
  2020 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
 
1938 Delahaye 135 MS Cabriolet Conversion
Chassis#: 60221
Sold for USD$270,603
  2017 RM Sothebys : London
 
1937 DELAHAYE 135 CABRIOLET Coachwork by Henri Chapron
Chassis#: 48482
Sold for USD$434,500
  2016 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction
1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  
1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coupe by Figoni et Falaschi
Chassis#: 60112
Sold for USD$990,000
  2015 RM Sotheby's : Amelia Island
1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  
1938 Delahaye 135 M cabriolet
Chassis#: 6S103
Sold for USD$166,992
  2015 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
 
1937 DELAHAYE 135 MS CHAPRON WITH FIGONI BUMPERS
Chassis#: 48482
Sold for USD$385,000
  2015 Barrett-Jackson - Scottsdale
1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  
1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coupe by Figoni et Falaschi
Chassis#: 60112
Sold for USD$1,540,000
  2013 RM Auctions - Arizona
1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  
1939 Delahaye 135 MS Grand Sport Roadster by Figoni et Falaschi
Chassis#: 60158
Sold for USD$1,118,313
  2011 RM Auctions - Villa d'Este
1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  
1938 Delahaye 135MS Sports Cabriolet
Chassis#: 60123
Sold for USD$852,500
  2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey
1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  
1938 Delahaye 135 MS Competition Cabriolet
Chassis#: 49197
Sold for USD$2,383,002
  2010 RM Auctions - Sporting Classics of Monaco
 
1939 Delahaye Type 135 MS
Chassis#: 60158
Sold for USD$1,347,500
  2007 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island
1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  
1938 Delahaye Type 135 Paris Salon Cabriolet
Sold for USD$1,712,000
  2006 Bonhams & Butterfields at The Quail Lodge, Resort & Golf Club
1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  
1939 Delahaye Type 135 MS
Chassis#: 60158
Sold for USD$1,100,000
  2006 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction
1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  1938 Delahaye Type 135 image  

Delahaye Type 135s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1938 Delahaye Type 135's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1938 Delahaye 135 M Coupé Sport Chapron601272017 Artcurial : Retromobile $400,000$600,000
1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coupé by Figoni et Falaschi601122011 RM Auctions Villa d'Este$830,000$900,000$1,100,000
1938 Delahaye 135 M cabriolet6S1032010 Bonhams Automobiles d'Exception á Rétromobile $120,000$160,000

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1938 Delahaye Type 135

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
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Other Delahaye Type 135 model years

1938 Delahaye Type 135 Vehicle Profiles

1938 Delahaye Type 135 vehicle information
Roadster
Coachwork: Carlton Carriage Company
Chassis #: 49315
1938 Delahaye Type 135 vehicle information
Roadster
Coachwork: Figoni & Falaschi
1938 Delahaye Type 135 vehicle information
Coupe des Alpes
Coachwork: Henri Chapron
Chassis #: 48482
1938 Delahaye Type 135 vehicle information
Sports Cabriolet
Coachwork: deVillars
Chassis #: 60123
1938 Delahaye Type 135 vehicle information
Cabriolet
Coachwork: Henri Chapron
Chassis #: 49148
1938 Delahaye Type 135 vehicle information
Cabriolet
Coachwork: Figoni
1938 Delahaye Type 135 vehicle information
MS Coupe
Coachwork: Figoni
Chassis #: 60112
Engine #: 60112
1938 Delahaye Type 135 vehicle information
Roadster
Coachwork: Figoni & Falaschi
Chassis #: 60158
Engine #: 60158
1938 Delahaye Type 135 vehicle information
Cabriolet
Coachwork: Figoni & Falaschi
Chassis #: 9803 BF59
1938 Delahaye Type 135 vehicle information
Cabriolet
Coachwork: Figoni & Falaschi
Chassis #: 49169
Engine #: 49169

Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.