1950 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet

The Delahaye Type 135 was introduced at Paris in 1935 and remained in production until 1954. It featured a new underslung chassis and was powered by a 3557cc overhead valve six-cylinder engine, as used in the earlier Type 138. The Type 135 proved to be successful in competition, sweeping the top six places at Marseilles in 1936 and taking second at LeMans in 1937, followed by first, second and fourth there the following year.

This Cabriolet was completed in 1950 and given Letourneur et Marchand coachwork. It is believed that the first owner retained it for nearly three decades. It was sold on October 24th of 1949 to Mr. Andre Acoulon from St. Maur de Fosse, Val de Marne, just outside of Paris. The car was later restored in France by Atelier de Atelier de Restoration Automobile, in Sorigny. The present Holland owner acquired the car in 2003.

The car is powered by a 3557cc overhead valve six-cylinder engine delivering 115 horsepower. There is a Cotal electro-mechanical four-speed gearbox and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes.

In 2012, this car was offered for sale at the Monaco sale presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for €125.000-€155.000. Bidding reached €110.000 but was not enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2012