1949 Delahaye Type 135M Cabriolet Malmaison

The Delahaye 135, also known as 'Coupe des Alpes' after the car's success in that Alpine Rally, was first presented at the Paris Auto Salon in 1935 and production continued until 1954. Around 2,000 of these sporty grand tourers were built.

This Delahaye 135 M Cabriolet is the work of Marcel Pourtout, one of France's best-known ateliers. The body design was named the 'Malmaison' after the Chateau de Malmaison in Rueil Malmaison, a western suburb of Paris where Pourtout was the mayor. The Malmaison exhibited the transitional postwar 'pontoon' style that inspired many European automobile designs. Marcel Pourtout based his cabriolet 'Malmaison' on pre-war lines, namely in the high and long dramatic sweep of its front fenders. There were only about four to six examples ever made of which three are known to remain today. All were installed on the 135 M chassis with its optional 6 103S engine, a design equipped with three Solex carburetors for an output of 115 hp. Under the hood is the original numbers matching Type 103S engine with the proper date code and triple carburetion correct to all examples of 'Malmaison'. It also has suicide doors with door jams lined with polished aluminum. It is also fitted with a Cotal pre-selector gearbox.

Overall the car projects a quiet elegance without any of the over-the-top flamboyant chrome work found on many Delahayes or other post-war cars of the period. The restoration was completed in 2018. The car is dark aubergine with a violet interior, matching painted wire wheels and blackwall tires to replicate the car as originally delivered.