1947 Delahaye Type 135 MS Letourneur & Marchand Cabriolet

This 1947 Delahaye 135 MS Cabriolet with coachwork by Letourneur & Marchand is a one-off roadster creation. Delahaye offered two models, a Type 135M and a 135 MS, meaning Modifiee Speciale. The 135M was equipped with a single Solex carburetor while the 1935 MS had a triple carburetor and could reach speeds of 100 mph. An optional Cotal gearbox was offered at the time and proved to be a popular choice for many buyers. The four-speed manual gearbox was standard. Also standard on the MS were the Rudge center lock wheels.

These elegant vehicles were sporty and beautiful. They were typically purchased by the social elite, as their high price tag limited the pool of buyers to only a few. As such, a total of 1155 examples of both models were created between 1946 and 1952.
This example is fitted with the Cotal gearbox. The car has been treated to a complete restoration, including a rebuild of the engine. The chrome work, electrics, and suspension are also new. The cost of the restoration was over $125,000.

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 $250,000 - $350,000. The price tag on these type of vehicles vary, but most of the time they are near the million-dollar range. It is not uncommon to see the dollar figure exceed that as well. This car was an excellent opportunity to purchase a Delahaye, for a cost that was, in all respects, reasonable. Bidding exceeded the estimated value, with a new owner purchasing the car for a sum of $375,500.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2007