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While the world was struggling with the Great Depression and economic uncertainty, Delahaye made a bold move, venturing into the exclusive high-performance luxury automobile segment with a new model displayed at the 1935 Paris Salon. Soon offered in three different variants, the mechanical prowess was complimented by exquisite coachwork by many of the era's most fashionable coachbuilders, including Joseph Figoni, Jacques Saoutchik, Marcel Pourtout, Marius Franay, and Henri Chapron.
The Type 135 M variant was equipped with a 3.5-liter straight-six engine, a four-speed manual, or a Cotal preselector gearbox. With three carburetors, the Type 135 M engine offered 110 horsepower. Demonstrating its sporting characteristics, the Type 135 claimed 2nd and 3rd place at the 1936 24 Hours of Spa, 2nd and 3rd place at the 1937 24 Hours of Le Mans, and a 1-2 finish at the 1938 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Production of the Type 135 continued until Delahaye's closure in 1954 with fewer than 3,000 examples of all variants.
This particular example wears coachwork by Henri Chapron with styling elements that include a prominent front nose, semi-recessed lights, chrome accents, and rear-hinged doors.
It is believed that this Delahaye was first registered in September 1948 and sold early in its existence to Jean Dubos. By July 1985, the car was in the ownership of a former president of the Bugatti Club and soon received a comprehensive restoration in the Chapron workshop. A collector based in Finistère, France, acquired the Delahaye before being sold to its current caretaker in 2013.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2023
The Type 135 M variant was equipped with a 3.5-liter straight-six engine, a four-speed manual, or a Cotal preselector gearbox. With three carburetors, the Type 135 M engine offered 110 horsepower. Demonstrating its sporting characteristics, the Type 135 claimed 2nd and 3rd place at the 1936 24 Hours of Spa, 2nd and 3rd place at the 1937 24 Hours of Le Mans, and a 1-2 finish at the 1938 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Production of the Type 135 continued until Delahaye's closure in 1954 with fewer than 3,000 examples of all variants.
This particular example wears coachwork by Henri Chapron with styling elements that include a prominent front nose, semi-recessed lights, chrome accents, and rear-hinged doors.
It is believed that this Delahaye was first registered in September 1948 and sold early in its existence to Jean Dubos. By July 1985, the car was in the ownership of a former president of the Bugatti Club and soon received a comprehensive restoration in the Chapron workshop. A collector based in Finistère, France, acquired the Delahaye before being sold to its current caretaker in 2013.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2023
2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $175,000-USD $250,000
Sale Price :
USD $123,200
2022 Artcurial : Retromobile
Pre-Auction Estimates :
€200,000-€300,000
Lot was not sold
1949 Delahaye Type 135M Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Delahaye Type 135M
(Data based on Model Year 1949 sales)
1949 Delahaye 135 M Cabriolet by Chapron Chassis#: 800940 Sold for USD$123,200 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1949 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet by Chapron Chassis#: 801355 Sold for USD$240,800 2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1949 Delahaye 135 Coach by Chapron Chassis#: 801432 Sold for USD$35,345 2020 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1949 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet Chassis#: 801221 Sold for USD$475,000 2019 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1949 Delahaye 135 M cabriolet Guilloré Chassis#: 801242 Sold for USD$96,984 2016 Artcurial : LeMans Classic | |
1949 Delahaye 135 M Cabriolet 'Malmaison' by Pourtout Chassis#: 801199 Sold for USD$495,000 2016 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1949 Delahaye 135 MS coupé Ghia Turin Chassis#: 800514 Sold for USD$180,194 2016 Rétromobile 2016 by Artcurial Motorcars | |
1949 Delahaye 135 M Cabriolet by Guilloré Chassis#: 801221 Sold for USD$451,000 2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona | ![]() ![]() |
1949 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet Chassis#: 800 755 Sold for USD$359,674 2015 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | |
1949 DELAHAYE 135M CABRIOLET Chassis#: 800863 Sold for USD$399,155 2014 LES GRANDES MARQUES DU MONDE AU GRAND PALAIS | |
1949 Delahaye 135M Replica Roadster by Crailville Chassis#: 800820 Sold for USD$350,003 2010 RM Auctions - Sporting Classics of Monaco |
Delahaye Type 135Ms That Failed To Sell At Auction
1949 Delahaye Type 135M's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1949 Delahaye 135 M Estérel Roadster | 801339 | 2023 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | $200,000 | $220,000 | |
1949 Delahaye 135 Cabriolet par Henri Chapron | 800940 | 2022 Artcurial : Retromobile | $200,000 | $300,000 | |
1949 Delahaye 135 M Cabriolet by Guilloré | 800863 | 2019 RM Sothebys : Paris | $250,000 | $325,000 | |
1949 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet | 801472 | 2018 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale, Az. | $275,000 | $350,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
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1949 Delahaye Type 135M
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