1947 Delahaye Type 135 M

Delahaye was founded in 1845 in Tours, Italy, and later relocated to Paris, France. They were one of the world's earliest to enter the automotive industry, having manufactured its first horseless carriage in 1894. They soon found success with commercial vehicles, however, their signature product was the Type 135, introduced at the 1935 Paris Salon. It ushered in a new era for the company and profoundly influenced future design.

The chassis for the 135 was designed by engineer Jean François (successor to Amédée Varlet who had served as a chief designer since the early 1900s), with standard mechanical features including the low-slung chassis, independent front suspension, Bendix cable-operated brakes, 17-inch center-lock wire wheels, and a choice of a partially-synchronized four-speed manual or Cotal pre-selector transmissions. The inline six-cylinder engine initially displaced 3.2 liters and featured modern overhead-valve architecture, and four main bearings supporting the crankshaft. With the help of twin carburetors, the engine offered 95 horsepower, or 110 hp with triple Solex downdraft carburetors fitted. Power increased for 1936 with the help of an enlarged 3.6-liter engine.

These sporty and elegant vehicles were named 'Coupe des Alpes' for their early success in the Alpine Rally. Development and several variants for the road included the 135 (Modifié), and 135 MS (Modifié Speciale). Competition models were built to contest Grand Prix and sports-car events. Delahaye 135s took 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th at the 1936 French Grand Prix, which was run to sports-car regulations that year. Labor unrest forced the cancellation of the Le Mans 24 Hours that year, however, in 1937 Delahayes scored second- and third-place podiums followed by first, second, and fourth in 1938. Siam's Prince Bira won the 1938 Donington 12-Hour Sports Car Race and Prince Chula was victorious at Brooklands' 'Fastest Road Car in England' event. After World War II, Delahaye 135s continued to race well into the 1950s, with one contesting the 1954 Tour de France.

The 135 would persevere and endure through the late 1930s and postwar reconstruction through 1954 when Delahaye automobile production effectively ended. Delahayes were sold after WW2, however in very small numbers, the result of France's punitive taxation rates for large cars. By 1954 the situation had become untenable and Delahaye merged with Hotchkiss, producing nothing but trucks thereafter.

The Type 135 helped transform Delahaye's image into a producer of well-engineered, stylish, high-performance automobiles. They attracted some of the era's finest custom coachbuilders, including Saoutchik, Pennock, Figoni et Falaschi, and Marcel Pourtout.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2019