1948 Delahaye 135 M Drophead Cabriolet Coupe

Delahaye has a history that goes back as far as 1845 and started out producing machinery for brick manufacturing and later stationary engines for industrial purposes which led to automobile production in 1894. Most of the cars produced were nondescript but dependable. In 1935, Delahaye purchased Delage, a company known for turning out sports and Grand Prix cars, and that changed the direction of Delahaye. The Type 135 debuted in 1935 with an in-line, six-cylinder, 3.2-liter engine equipped with triple Solex carburetors producing 113 horsepower. By 1945, the Delahaye was sold mostly in chassis-only form and many beautiful bodies were created by carrosserie including Chapron, Guillore, Saoutchik, and one of those leaders of French design, Joseph Figoni.

The Type 135 was first presented at the 1934 Paris Salon. Compared to its predecessors, it offered a slightly lower chassis which both lowered its center of gravity and lengthened its lines. The low-slung chassis was particularly desirable for coachbuilders. Shortly following the introduction of the 135, Delahaye merged with French manufacturer Delage, thus inheriting many of the marque's wealthy clients who demanded both performance and elegance in an automobile. The introduction of the new 135 could not have come at a better time. Delahaye set about enhancing its performance image with the new model beginning in 1936 with the 135 Competition. It set the all-time lap record in the Ulster TT; one year later placing third at LeMans, winning the 12-hour race at Donington Park, and placing third in the Mille Miglia.

This Drophead Coupe by Figoni was one of only 18 of these Mylord cabriolets produced and one of only nine known to exist today. Although each carried the same basic silhouette, all had different treatments of the nose, tail, and lighting positions. This particular example, chassis 801372, is one of the remaining El Glaoui cars, carrying body number 1061. It was delivered to Mr. Venot in a radiant Garnet Red color. It passed through several owners until purchased by the current owner in June 2000 and had a nut-and-bolt restoration to return it to its original Garnet Red color.

This car is one of nine known to exist today of the eighteen produced. One example was featured in the Alfred Hitchcock film To Catch a Thief starring Carry Grant and Grace Kelly.

This Delahaye 135M was an award winner at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2006 and was the poster car for USB Motor Cars Under the Stars in 2007.