1949 Delahaye Type 135M Cabriolet

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