1949 Delahaye Type 135 MS

Delahaye was founded by Émile Delahaye in 1894 in Tours, France, and in 1898, manufacturing was moved to Paris. Emile was a railroad engineer who designed rolling stock for the French and Belgian railroads. In 1895, he designed his first car with a similar design and engineering to the German Daimler. When the company moved to Paris, it began a variety of engineering projects. Their first shaft-drive car arrived in 1907 and a V-6 engine as early as 1912.

During World War I, they produced stationary engines, aircraft components, and gun parts. When peacetime resumed, they built durable, albeit mundane, automobiles. Additionally, they manufactured commercial vehicles, buses, fire trucks, and trucks. A racing department was added in 1932, setting several international records, and won numerous races, including the Monte Carlo Rally in 1937 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1938. In 1936, they placed 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th at the French Grand Prix. The arrival of the Type 135 prototype at the Paris Auto Salon in 1933 would signal the company's intention of delving completely into the low-volume, sporty, luxury car segment.

The Delahaye Type 135 was would become the company's most successful model ever. It had a low-slung chassis, frequently clothed with stylish, versatile, and lightweight coachwork, and powered by a straight 6-cylinder, 3.6-liter engine topped with a trio of Solex carburetors.

The Type 135 was built from 1935 through 1954 and is lauded as the financial savior of the Delahaye marque. It would become the marque's mainstay for the remainder of its existence and was technically advanced and delightful to drive.

Approximately 1,155 examples of the 135 M and 135 MS were built through around 1952.

Specification

The 3.2-liter (3,227cc) overhead-valve, reverse-flow straight-six cylinder engine was derived from the company's truck engine. It had a four-bearing crankshaft and was initially installed in a long wheelbase Delahaye Type 138. With twin carburetors installed, the output was rated at 95. With three downdraught Solex carburetors, output rose to 110 bhp. Production of this 3.2-liter engine continued through 1940, ending with the German occupation.

A larger, 3.5-liter (3,557cc) version was introduced in 1936, delivering 90, 105, or 115 horsepower depending on the number of carburetors (one, two, or three, respectively). Production of this engine would continue through the mid-1950s (albeit with a temporary halt during World War II).

The Type 135 rested on a new, 116-inch wheelbase low-slung (low, but not under-slung) chassis designed by engineer Jean François with welded box section side members and pressed cross members welded to a ribbed floor pan. The suspension used independent, transverse leaf springs at the front (carried over from the Type 138) and a live axle at the rear with semi-elliptical leaf springs. Cable-operated 14-inch Bendix brakes provided the stopping power. At all four corners were 17-inch spoked wheels. Transmission options included a four-speed manual with synchromesh on the third and four gear and a four-speed Cotal MK38 electro-magnetic preselector gearbox.

As Delahaye did not have in-house coachbuilding facilities, the bodies were outsourced to independent coachbuilders. Among the list of coachbuilders who clothed the Type 135 included Figoni & Falaschi, Jacques Saoutchik, Alphonse Guilloré, Letourneur et Marchand, Marcel Pourtout, Frères Dubois, Marius Franay, Faget-Varnay, Antem, Henri Chapron, and others.

The Delahaye Type 135M

The Delahaye Type 135M, powered by the 3,557cc engine, would earn great success due to its slender form, reliable engine, and balanced handling. A longer wheelbase version (measuring 3,150mm) was built as the Type 148 or with an even longer 3,350mm wheelbase and seven-seater configuration. For customers who desired an even smaller version of the Type 135M, Delahaye offered the TYpe 134N with a shorter wheelbase and powered by a 2,150cc four-cylinder version of the 3.2-liter six.

The Delahaye Type 135MS (Modifiée Spéciale)

The engine powering the Type 135MS offered between 120 and 145 horsepower depending on the configuration. In competition guise, output surpassed 160 bhp. Most were built for competition, with the road-going versions perched atop a 2.95m wheelbase, while the racing versions had a 2.70m platform.

In 1954, Delahaye merged with another French automaker, Hotchkiss. The new company ended Delahaye's automobile production.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2023