Sold 1947 Delahaye 135 2146358098 Tweet

The great mile Delahaye and his successor Amde Varlet are two of Frances greatest pioneers in the motoring industry. Their talent and innovative approach to engineering earned Societe Des Automobiles Delahaye its place as one of Frances grandes routieres building magnificent road cars that attracting attention from Frances style-conscious elite while backing up their reputation with successful endurance racing sports cars and grand prix machines. Production of their most recognized and successful model the 135 began in 1935 as a 3.2 liter sports car of either 90 or 110 horsepower. For the 1936 model year a larger 3558 c.c. triple-carb overhead-cam six was made available in the 135M. It was upgraded yet again for the 135 MS which became the machine of choice for buyers looking to use their prized Delahaye in competition. This magnificent engine delivered upward of 160 horsepower in the highest state of tune. When combined with a lightweight body even a standard 135MS was capable of 100 mph an astonishing accomplishment for any pre-war automobile.During the German occupation Delahaye was under the leadership of Charles Weiffenbach who cleverly kept his workers busy while doing everything he could to produce as little as possible for occupying forces. Heavy trucks built for the Wehrmacht trickled out of the factory and at the end of 1942 the Germans instructed Delahaye to produce a particular Hanomag tractor at a rate of 100 units per month. Weiffenbach changed orders and shuffled papers to such a degree that by 1944 not a single one had been built! Thankfully Delahaye survived the war and came out the other side battered but not yet broken. They joined an association of other French manufacturers and returned to automobile production. A 3 ton truck model was first to leave the works with the first post-war version of the 135 following in 1946. It was in essence the same car just with a widened track and more powerful versions of the 3558 c.c. six-cylinder engine.Even in the post-war period as the demand for cheap mass-produced cars grew exponentially Delahaye relied on the services of independent coachbuilders for supply bodies for their automobile chassis. One such loyal carrossier was Henri Chapron one of Frances most prolific and influential coachbuilders. It was with the 1935 Delahaye 135 where he truly found his signature; a long-hood short-deck proportion with subdued elegance that would influence virtually every other French coachbuilder through the 1950s. Following occupation Chapron returned to car production providing most of Delahayes bodies along with others for the likes of Talbot Salmson and Hotchkiss. Fewer than 1200 135s were built from before the war through 1952 with many customers preferring the outstanding quality and finely judged style of Henri Chapron.This 1947 Delahaye 135M wears handsome and understated cabriolet coachwork by Chapron. It is an excellent example with an older but high-quality restoration finished in an attractive shade of metallic sage green. The coachwork is in quite fine order with lovely paintwork and detailing with pleasing accents and accessories such as Marchal fog lamps and Art Deco-inspired bonnet vents. Chrome trim is in very good condition as are the chrome wire wheels which are shod with blackwall tires. A green convertible top ties the color scheme together very nicely. This body was one of the last of its type before the fully enveloped design took over and it retains the classic look with full-figured fenders and separate Marchal headlamps. It is an elegant and traditional design with a perfectly judged dash of sporting appeal.Inside large swathes of tan leather cover the seats and door panels. There is generous space for four passengers and the cabin is comfortable with the top up or folded. Upholstery is in very good condition showing only the lightest creasing in the drivers seat. Other interior trim and fittings are in similarly excellent condition and the dash features a full array of original instrumentation. The green cloth convertible top complements the body color featuring external landau irons and presenting in very good condition.Sporting pedigree dominates the engine compartment in the form of the 3.6 liter inline six producing in the neighborhood of 120 horsepower in dual-carburetor M-specification. The engine is correctly and highly detailed presenting in beautiful condition. It runs strong starting easily and returning very good performance along with a wonderfully sonorous exhaust note. These cars are renowned for their surprisingly modern road manners and as such they make outstanding touring and rally cars which comes as little surprise given Delahayes success on the race track. This attractive and high-quality 135M makes a fine choice to do just that; to enjoy on vintage rallies and tours or to simply marvel in the exquisitely engineered engine refined chassis and elegant Chapron coachwork while out on your favorite roads.