Vehicle Description
To today's enthusiasts, the name Delahaye conjures images of
opulent, art-deco sports cars that grace the lawns of the world's
most prestigious concours d'elegance events. However, since its
founding by Emile Delahaye in the late 1800s, the company built a
diverse range of passenger cars, heavy trucks, and buses. In
post-World War I era and into the 1930s, it was the popularity of
Delahaye fire trucks that sustained the company. In the middle of
the 1930s, influential members of the board convinced the managers
that a return to motor racing would boost automobile sales and rid
them of a somewhat undeserved conservative image. Success came
quickly, with a Delahaye winning the prestigious Coupe des Alpes
(Alpine International Cup) in 1934. To celebrate the achievement,
Delahaye introduced a new model called the Type 135 "Coupe des
Alpes;" a car that marked Delahaye's triumphant return to the world
of sports cars, and their return to top-level motorsport in Europe.
The 135 chassis featured independent, leaf-sprung front suspension
with a live rear axle. Bendix cable-operated brakes sat behind
17-inch wire wheels. Power came from a 3.2-1iter inline six with
overhead valves and a four main-bearing crank. The stout and
reliable engine shared its basic design with Delahaye trucks but
was refined with dual carburetors and tuned to produce 95
horsepower. A formidable competition machine, the 135 achieved its
goal of returning Delahaye to top form in racing, securing an
all-time record at the Ulster TT and finishing on the podium at
both the Le Mans and in the Mille Miglia in 1935. The larger
displacement 135M followed the 135 in 1936 with up to 115
horsepower available in triple-carburetor spec. Production halted
during the German occupation, but when production resumed after
World War II, the 135M remained one of the most desirable sporting
cars in France, and it would remain so until 1954 when new owners
Hotchkiss ended production for good. Buyers commissioned the finest
French Carrossiers to clothe their prized 135s, creating a
veritable greatest hits of Art Deco design as shops like Figoni et
Falaschi, Saoutchik, Franay, Pourtout, and Chapron tried to top
their rivals. The Delahaye 135 was the ideal platform for these
designers to practice their craft, as it offered the performance
and refinement worthy of the highest style. Henri Chapron
Carrossier was one of the most prolific coachbuilders in France,
penning a wide variety of bodies for the Delahaye 135 series.
Chapron's signature style was usually at the forefront of fashion,
yet with a degree of maturity and restraint that set it apart from
the more flamboyant Figoni or Saoutchik designs. Breathtakingly
elegant, this 1948 Delahaye 135M is one of a number of Delahayes
bodied by the great Henri Chapron. This stunning 3-position
drophead coupe body style was officially known as "Dandy Grand
Luxe," debuting at the very first post-war Paris Salon in 1946. The
hallmark full-figured Chapron look features faired-in headlamps and
smoother, integrated fenders to bring it up-to-date in the post-war
era. This example has enjoyed single continuous ownership since the
mid-seventies. In the early 2000s, the owner commissioned the
highly respected shop International Auto Restoration of Oak Lawn,
Illinois to perform a concours-quality nut-and-bolt restoration.
Upon completion, the car debuted at the 2006 Meadowbrook concours,
where it secured a class win and an invitation to the prestigious
Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. It has remained with the same
owner since then, enjoyed on occasion, and maintained in exquisite
condition. Elegant colors highlight Chapron's impeccable style,
with Capucin Gray providing the base and Marine Blue accents on the
fenders and body feature lines. The paint quality is outstanding,
as one would expect from a concours-quality restoration. The panels
are precisely fit and absolutely straight. Likewise, the brightwork
and plating are exceptional. Pencil thin bumpers, chrome side
moldings, and graceful landau irons add carefully judged flash to
the elegantly restrained coachwork. Up to four passengers ride in
comfort in the opulently trimmed cabin. Complimentary dark blue
leather covers the seats, with matching blue Wilton carpets. The
interior is in excellent order, showing some light creasing that is
consistent with this car's gentle use and meticulous care. Gorgeous
wood veneer covers the dash and door caps, with more lovely wood
trim framing the blue leather door panels. Factory correct O.S.
gauges are fully restored as are the controls and switchgear. The
folding three-position roof is covered in blue Stayfast canvas and
is lined for comfort and sound insulation. The craftsmanship is
truly stunning, with high-quality materials, gorgeous stitching,
and exquisitely finished woodwork. A goal of the restoration was to
create a car that was not just visually stunning, but one that
could be driven as intended. This 135M is a car to enjoy, rather
than to just drive from trailer to concours lawn and back. As such,
the triple carb 3,557 cc six-cylinder is entirely rebuilt and mated
to an Alan Taylor-built Cotal preselect gearbox. The engine runs
beautifully, and the car emits a glorious bark from the exhaust
that reveals its sporting aspirations from beneath the elegant
coachwork. It remains in beautiful condition with the restoration
showing only the slightest signs of mellowing. Attractive enough
for concours duty, it is also wonderfully suited for touring. Few
cars of the era can top the Delahaye 135M chassis for its
performance and sophistication, and with this car's Chapron
coachwork it becomes one of the most desirable collector cars
