1949 Delahaye Type 135M

Delahaye was initially based in Tours and from 1906 in Paris. They built their first automobile in 1894 and soon diversified into commercial vehicle manufacturing.

The Delahaye 135 was produced from 1935 until 1954, available in a variety of body styles, and designed by Jean François. The sporty touring car, known as the 'Coupe des Alpes' after its success in the Alpine Rally, straddled both the pre-war and post-war era. Introduced in Paris in 1935, it had a new chassis with the same 3.6-liter, six-cylinder engine first used in the earlier Type 138.

The Type 135 had cable-operated Bendix brakes and an independent, leaf-sprung front suspension, with a live rear axle. The transmission was either a partially synchronized four-speed manual or a four-speed Cotal pre-selector transmission. Other standard features included 17-inch spoked wheels.

A year later, in 1936, Delahaye introduced the 135M, with a slightly larger engine with improved horsepower and offered a choice of single, dual, or triple carburetors. It was suitable on the road or the track, taking the top six places at Marseilles in 1936. It further improved upon its reputation by taking 2nd overall at Le Mans in 1937 and 1st, 2nd, and 4th the following year. Outside of Le Mans, Delahaye 135s also took 1st at the Rallye Monte Carlo in 1937 and 1939. Prince Bira won the 1938 Donington 12-Hour Sports Car Race in Prince Chula's example and went on to take victory in Brooklands' 'fastest road car in England' race.

After World War II, the production of the Type 135 resumed using the same 3.6-liter engine used prior to the war. By this point in history, the company was struggling, as the French government had placed large taxes on cars with a displacement of over three liters.

Delahaye had no in-house coachworks, so all its chassis were bodied by independent coachbuilders. The list included Figoni & Falaschi, Letourneur et Marchand, Guilloré, Marcel Pourtout, Frères Dubois, J Saoutchik, Franay, Antem, and Henri Chapron.

by Dan Vaughan

Cabriolet by Saoutchik
Chassis number: 801424

This Delahaye M 135 was bodied by Jacques Saoutchik in Neuilly, a suburb of Paris, and was exhibited on the Saoutchik stand at the 1949 Paris Auto Salon. The first owner was George Dawson, a wealthy Englishman, who then sold this Delahaye to a Mrs. Mitchell in Switzerland, in 1950. The current owner acquired the car in 1961 and started its restoration in 1987. The Delahaye was shown at the Bagatelle Concours d'Elegance in Paris in 1991 and won the award for French convertibles. It was invited to the 1992 Pebble Beach Concours by Lorin Tryon, who had seen the car at Retromobile in Paris. After being exhibited again at Retromobile earlier in 2012, it returned to California (the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance), for a second time.

Coupe de Ville by Saoutchik

First shown at the Paris Auto Salon in 1949, this is a unique and flamboyant Delahaye with coachwork of Saoutchik. It was built specifically for the Paris Auto Salon and with an eye for luxury rather than speed. The design of the body and interior was so complicated that it took over a year to complete. It has several interesting features like a removable roof above the driver and doors that open with a push button. The headliner cloth and interior panels are resonant of an Art Deco palace. As a final touch, the interior fittings are finished in 14-karat gold. The original price tag was $20,000 making it one of the most expensive vehicles of its day.

Cabriolet Malmaison by Pourtout
Chassis number: 801199
Engine number: 801199

The Cabriolet 'Malmaison' design was based on pre-war lines, with front fenders that had a long and high dramatic sweep, and was now integrated into the bodywork. Marcel Pourtout's design was influenced by Figoni et Falaschi's work on Delahayes chassis, including the shapes of the fenders and the hoodline. The interiors were well-appointed, with a leather-covered dashboard fitted with Delahaye's Art Deco instrumentation.

It is believed that four to six examples of the cabriolet 'Malmaison' were produced, of which three are known to exist in modern times. All examples were fitted on the 135 M chassis with its optional 6 103S engine, a design equipped with three Solex carburetors for an output of 115 horsepower.

By the mid-1980s, this car was in the ownership of Guy Pinsard of France who had it registered in the French department of Loiret as number 3720SG45. It was later owned by French Delahaye specialist Jean-François Dumontant for several years before it was exported to the United States and joined the collection of its present owner. Since then, the car has been given a high-quality restoration and shows only minor signs of wear over the years. Under the bonnet is the original and correct numbers-matching Type 103S engine. It is fitted with the Cotal four-speed pre-selector gearbox along with four-wheel mechanically-actuated Bendix drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Cabriolet by Guillore
Chassis number: 801221

The origins of Delahaye lie in a company set up as long ago as 1845 to produce brick-making machinery. Emile Delahaye was a railroad engineer who designed rolling stock for the French and Belgian railroads. He built his first car in 1895. Delahaye took over Delage in 1935, a maker of elegant cars and a company with an established clientele who demanded both performance and elegance. The Type 135 was first presented at the 1934 Paris Salon (just prior to the merger of the two companies). It provided the perfect foundation for flamboyant coachwork by various carrossiers.

The Delahaye 135 is an important French automobile, bridging the prewar and postwar periods of engineering. The 135 M boasted a brand-new chassis with the prewar 3.6-liter, 6-cylinder engine first seen in the Delahaye Type 138. The 135 M continued to be available alongside the newer Delahaye 235 until the demise of the company in 1954.

A total of 2,592 were produced from 1935-1952 including this example. This 135 M Cabriolet was bodied by Alphonse Guillore, a small coachbuilder from the Courbevoie-sur-Seine suburb of Paris, building bodies from 1937-1951. The chassis of this car was likely built in 1947, but not sent to carrosserie Alphonse Guillore until 1949. Its subtle lines created a balance between the extravagant work of Jacques Saoutchik and the more restrained designs of Henri Chapron. The early history of this car is unknown, it is believed that it was retained by a sales agent in Paris until sold to its first owner early in 1955. By the early 1960s, it was owned by designer Brooks Stevens and displayed in his museum in Mequon, Wisconsin. Later the car was sold to Richard Adatto, who restored it for the 1984 Pebble Beach Concours, where it was named First in Class. The Delahaye then completed the Monte Carlo Rallye Historique in 1985. It was sold to its current owner in 2016 and has now been freshly restored.

Cabriolet by Henri Chapron

Henri Chapron showed this car at the Paris Auto Salon in 1949, where it was purchased by Monsieur Moiroud from Morocco. In 1958 an American Air Force pilot serving in Morocco purchased the car and used it as a daily driver while in Casablanca. He shipped it home in 1959, showed it at the Spokane Motor Fair in 1962, and sold it in 1964. After passing through the hands of several collectors, it was stored in a barn in 1971 and remained there undisturbed for four decades until its current owner found it. This matching numbers car has its original red leather interior, Philips radio, and the Moroccan license plate of its first owner.

Cabriolet Malmaison by Pourtout

The Delahaye 135, also known as 'Coupe des Alpes' after the car's success in that Alpine Rally, was first presented at the Paris Auto Salon in 1935 and production continued until 1954. Around 2,000 of these sporty grand tourers were built.

This Delahaye 135 M Cabriolet is the work of Marcel Pourtout, one of France's best-known ateliers. The body design was named the 'Malmaison' after the Chateau de Malmaison in Rueil Malmaison, a western suburb of Paris where Pourtout was the mayor. The Malmaison exhibited the transitional postwar 'pontoon' style that inspired many European automobile designs. Marcel Pourtout based his cabriolet 'Malmaison' on pre-war lines, namely in the high and long dramatic sweep of its front fenders. There were only about four to six examples ever made of which three are known to remain today. All were installed on the 135 M chassis with its optional 6 103S engine, a design equipped with three Solex carburetors for an output of 115 hp. Under the hood is the original numbers matching Type 103S engine with the proper date code and triple carburetion correct to all examples of 'Malmaison'. It also has suicide doors with door jams lined with polished aluminum. It is also fitted with a Cotal pre-selector gearbox.

Overall the car projects a quiet elegance without any of the over-the-top flamboyant chrome work found on many Delahayes or other post-war cars of the period. The restoration was completed in 2018. The car is dark aubergine with a violet interior, matching painted wire wheels and blackwall tires to replicate the car as originally delivered.

Cabriolet by Henri Chapron
Chassis number: 801355
Engine number: 801355

The postwar period was very difficult for European manufacturers due to material shortages, extremely high taxation on new cars, and overall difficult working conditions.

This did not stop Delahaye from producing automobiles as soon as possible after the end of the war. The 135M chassis and engine dated from before the war. It was very competitive in the race circuit and provided a powerful platform for expensive custom-built cars for those with the wherewithal to afford the best that money could buy.

It was natural for Delahaye to start post-war production with these designs. Like all the principal French automakers, Delahaye complied with government requirements allocating the majority of its vehicles for export. In 1947 88% of Delahaye production was exported. Nevertheless, Delahaye's small volume, with 573 cars produced in 1948, was unsustainably low.

This car's engine is equipped with three Solex carburetors and it is coupled to a 4-speed Cotal electromagnetic transmission. The chassis features Lockheed hydraulic brakes, an independent front suspension, and a live rear axle. These make the 135M a joy to drive, and with beautiful custom coachwork by Henri Chapron, it is a joy to behold.

Many Delahayes were coachbuilt by the house of Chapron. After World War II this continued until 1953, mainly due to excessive French taxes on such large cars as the Delahaye, Delage, Hotchkiss, Salmson, and Talbot-Lago.

Cabriolet by Henri Chapron
Chassis number: 801355
Engine number: 801355

Delahaye introduced the Type 135 at the Paris Salon in 1935 and it came with a new chassis powered by the same 3.6-liter, six-cylinder engine first used in the earlier TYpe 138. A year later, Delahaye introduced the 135 M, which came with a slightly large engine with improved horsepower and a choice of single, dual, or triple carburetors.

The Delahaye 135 claimed the first six places at Marseilles in 1936, and the following year it took 2nd overall at Le Mans and 1st, 2nd, and 4th the following year. It claimed the overall position at the Rallye Monte Carlo in both 1937 and 1939.

After World War II, the production of the Type 135 resumed using the tried-and-true 3.6-liter engine. By this point in history, the French government had placed large taxes on cars with a displacement of over three liters, leading to the untimely demise of the legendary marque.

This particular 135M Cabriolet with coachwork by Chapron was acquired by Charles Nagler for the family collection in 1972 from Michael Berry. At the time it had been referred to as a 1938 model, though research later revealed it was built in early 1949, which the car having been delivered to Chapron for coachwork on February 22nd and completed sometime in March.

Since this is a 135 M it is equipped with a high-performance triple-carbureted engine and Cotal gearbox.

While in the Nagler's collection, it was shown in 1937 at a concours d'elegance in Toronto, as well as in that year's Sports Cars in Review exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum. A restoration followed and after the work was completed it was occasionally shown and toured into the early 1990s, then remained largely stowed away until the early 21st century. It was given a cosmetic restoration in 2016 by 203 Custom Car Works of Ypsilanti, Michigan, with an interior by Mark Larder and chrome by Brightworks of Piqua, Ohio.

IN 2018 it was shown at the Concours d'Elegance of America of St. John's where it was awarded a Lion award.

by Dan Vaughan

Cabriolet by Henri Chapron
Chassis number: 800940
Engine number: 800940

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 Dan Vaughan

Emile Delahaye was born in Tours, France in 1843. He studied engineering in Angers, France. In 1869 he began work with his engineering degree in applied arts and crafts.

Emile Delahaye began business in Tours, France in the middle of the 19th century for the purpose of constructing engines for the ceramic industry. The company branched out and began constructing mechanical appliances such as pumps and engines. In 1888, Delahaye designed an internal combustion engine for the shipping industry. It was not until 1896 that Automobile production began for Delahaye. His first automobiles produced were powered by belt-driven single and twin-cylinder engines.

Emile used motor racing to promote his vehicles. In 1896, Emile Delahaye entered the Paris-Marseilles race. Not only did he enter a vehicle his company had created, but he entered as the driver. The results were astounding, which truly speaks highly of the caliber and quality of the automobile. The demand for the vehicles began pouring in and a second factory was opened.

Due to failing health, Delahaye was forced into retirement in 1901. This was a year after the second factory was opened in Paris. Since Delahaye had no heirs, management control was passed onto a young engineer named Charles Weiffenbach. Weiffenbach oversaw operations until 1954.

In 1905, due to failing health, Emile Delahaye passed away.

Automotive racing was paramount during this period in history. This is why many of the vehicles built during this era were built to be raced and to be used as the daily driver. The sales of the vehicles were stimulated by the way the vehicle performed on the race track. Weiffenbach, however, had a different philosophy. His main focus and priority were to build dependable vehicles. Many of the early vehicles were equipped with four-cylinder engines capable of producing between 9-12 horsepower. Near the beginning of the First World War, a 6-cylinder, 2565cc engine was used.

In addition to automobiles, the Delahaye company produced trucks, lorries, parcel carriers for the post office, motor plows, fire engines, and other commercial and military vehicles. Many of the vehicles were used during the First World War

From 1927 to 1933, productions of medium-class cars were low, but the vehicles that were produced carried with them a reputation for being reliable and robust.

In the early thirties, Weiffenbach, also known as 'Monsieur Charles' by his peers, was in his early 60's. The decision was made to boldly move into the sports car arena. This was in response to the market trends and a way to re-establish a competitive edge in the automotive technology spectrum. For an automotive company that had never created a car that could achieve a top speed faster than 110 km/h, this would be a major undertaking.

Jean Francois, a 29-year-old engineer, was commissioned to construct a series of sporty cars using as many spare parts as possible. Talbot's new independent suspension was used along with a new chassis with box-section side members. The engine was borrowed from one of their trucks. The engine featured a 65mm crankshaft with internal lubrication. In 1933, the vehicles were introduced at the Paris Car Salon. They were the 4-cylinder 12CV and the 6-cylinder 18CV. At the show, Lucy O'Reilly Schell approached Weiffenbach with a request to have a vehicle built that could be entered in rally events.

Lucy O'Reilly, a wealthy American of Irish origin, had a passion for racing. So fueled by Delahaye's desire to produce sports cars and Reilly's financial backing and quest to win motorsport events, the company re-entered the racing scene.

The Delahaye Type 135

The Type 135 was created with variants such as the 135 Competition Speciale (135 CS), designed specifically for racing. The 135 Sport and the 135 Coupe both featured a 3.2-liter engine. The Sport produced 96 horsepower while the Coupe had 110 horsepower. 120 horsepower was produced by the 3.6-liter engine that rested in the Type 135 Competition model. The engine in the 135 CS was a simple pushrod-operated engine borrowed from the 1927 Type 103 truck engine. It gave up horsepower for great acceleration and torque.

The Type 135 is considered one of the most famous and prestigious vehicles produced by Delahaye. In both design and racing competition, it was very successful. Designed in 1934 it was quickly entered into races such as the 24 Heures du Mans, the Monte-Carlo Rally, and the Paris-Saint-Raphael motor race, where it had great success at being a competitive and reliable automobile.

The Type 135 Competition Speciale Sports Car (CS) had a chassis 25 cm shorter than the 135 touring car. This shortened version had better weight distribution which greatly improved the handling and performance. The engine and 4-speed Wilson epicyclic gearbox were placed lower in the chassis, thus contributing to the benefits of a better-balanced vehicle. The 135 CS came equipped with an 80-liter or a 100-liter fuel tank, this option was left up to the buyer's discretion.

The 135 CS was debuted in the 1936 Monte Carlo Rally where it finished 2nd in a field of fierce competition. In 1936 it was the winner of the Marsailles Gran Prix. At the French Grand Prix is placed second, third, fourth and fifth.

Well-known coachbuilders, such as Franay, Letourner & Marchard, Chapron, and Guillore, were tasked with outfitting the 135's. This may have been influenced by Delage, an automotive company that Delahaye merged with in 1935. As a result, the 135 won numerous awards for styling and design.

The Type 135's is truly a prestigious masterpiece with strong racing history and a heritage that was formed on stability, robustness, and stamina.

by Dan Vaughan