Vehicle Description
The great �mile Delahaye, and his successor Am�d�e Varlet, are two
of France's greatest pioneers in the motoring industry. Their
talent and innovative approach to engineering earned Societe Des
Automobiles Delahaye its place as one of France's grandes
routieres, building magnificent road cars that attracting attention
from France's 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 3,558 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
3,558 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 France's 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 the German occupation,
Chapron returned to car production, providing most of Delahaye's
bodies, along with others for the likes of Talbot, Salmson and
Hotchkiss. Fewer than 1,200 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 is a fine example of the kind of elegance and grace
that defines Chapron coachwork. This particular body style retains
a traditional Classic Era appearance, and is one of the last of its
type before the streamlining trends took hold. Sitting low on the
chassis and with exquisite proportions, it is a marvelous display
of French style, with its full-figured fenders and separate,
bullet-style Marchal headlamps. This gorgeous motorcar wears an
older, high-quality restoration that has recently been refreshed.
Finished in an attractive shade of metallic sage green, the
coachwork is in quite fine order, with lovely paintwork, detailing,
and pleasing accents such as the painted grille insert, Marchal fog
lamps, and Art Deco-inspired bonnet vents. The extensive brightwork
is attractive and in good order, showing only some light polish
marks consistent with age. Beautiful chrome wire wheels which are
shod with period correct Dunlop Fort blackwall tires, and the
three-position drophead convertible top is upholstered in dark
green to tie the color scheme together beautifully. Inside,
beautiful dark green leather and rich woodwork define the opulent
four-place interior. The fresh and taut upholstery is recent, and
the rich green color imparts an inviting character. Lovely green
carpets line the floors and striking woodwork features on the dash
and door panels. The deep, glossy wood is in fine condition, with
the unique trim extending all the way around the door panels. Other
interior trim and fittings are in excellent order, and the dash
features a full array of original instrumentation and switchgear.
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 highly
detailed, and in beautiful condition. It runs well and delivers
very good performance and a delightful, sonorous exhaust note. This
car features the desirable Cotal pre-select gearbox, which was the
choice for sporting drivers of the time. The Delahaye 135M is
renowned for its outstanding road manners and as such, it is a
popular entrant in classic tours and rallies. With its desirable
and gorgeous open coachwork, Cotal gearbox and triple-carburetor
specification, this attractive and high-quality 135M makes a fine
choice to enjoy in concours, on any number of road events, or to
simply marvel in the exquisitely engineered engine, refined chassis
and elegant Chapron coachwork while out on your favorite local
roads.
