1946 Delahaye 135M Roadster

The Delahaye 135 was introduced in Paris in 1935 and came equipped with a new chassis with a 3.6-liter six-cylidner engine. The following season, it was succeeded by the 135 M with a slightly larger powerplant with more horsepower and offered with single, dual, or triple carburetors. Its competition credentials were confirmed with it swept the top six places at Marseilles in 1936. A Delahaye claimed 2nd overall at Le Mans in 1937 and 1st, 2nd, and 4th the following year. A Delahaye 135 S also won the Rallye Monte Carlo in both 1937 and 1939.

The Delahaye 135 was in production for two decades (1935 until 1954; production ceased during World War II) and would receive coachwork from over 80 coachbuilders.

E.D. Abbott, Ltd.
The E.D. Abbott, Ltd. British coachbuilding firm was established by Edward Dixon Abbott in 1929, and during its esitance would create coachwork for various prestigious automobile manufacturer, with custom body designs that complemented the performance and style of the underlying chassis. The business closed in 1972.

Chassis Number 800440
This 1946 Delahaye 135 M wears Roadster coachwork created by Abbott. It is believed to have been originally commissioned by Yashwant Rao Holkar II, also known as Maharaja Yeshwant Rao II Holkar, a prominent Indian royal and the ruler of the state of Indore. Delivered new by Alan Selborne (the sole importer of Delahaye's to England) with the registration LYX 689, it is the only Delahaye 135 M bodied by Abbott. It is likely the Maharaja exported the vehicle from Great Britain to the United States for his personal use. Later, it emerged at a vintage automobile salon in New York.

Robert Cory purchased the car in the 1960s on behalf of his friend Harry Needham. Two years after the acquistion, he decided to part with it, and a few years later, Cory would eventually purchased the 135 M and retain ownership for over half a century. During that time, it has been brought to Pebble Beach, The Quail Lodge, Marin-Sonoma in 2012, and various other high-level events.

Under Cory's stewardship, the car retained its original presentation with large Lucas headlights, original bumpers, and a red and black body color.

This Delahaye wears a restoration that was completed in 2000, with an interior by Ken Nenemick, with assistance from Jacques 'Frenchie' Harguindeguy and the late Jules 'J' Heumann. It was given a black paintscheme and sans-bumpers, showcases the prominent Marchal headlights. The interior is done in green leather with a burl wood dashboard housing a set of O.S gauges.

This unique, one-off creation retains its matching numbers triple-carbureted 135 M engine.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2024