Vehicle Description
1939 Delahaye 135M CabrioletUtterly unique and literally a one-off,
this pre-World War 2 1939 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet is one of only
two examples of this classic model, with its body-work designed by
Letourneur et Marchand, the legendary Parisian body specialists.
With the other of the two examples lost in time and space, this
Delahaye 135M Cabriolet is a historical piece of art.Founded by
Emile Delahaye in 1894, Delahaye was a pioneering French automaker,
based in Tours in western France, and later in Paris. Although
Emile Delahaye retired seven years later, his partners expanded the
business; in addition to automobiles, Delahaye manufactured trucks
and buses, which became the mainstay of their business, including
producing all of Frances firetrucks.As legend would have it, the
revered motor manufacturer Ettore Bugatti, a close friend, had a
word in the ear of the Delahaye management; he told them that their
cars lacked speed and were as heavy as the fire-trucks they also
made. You need to aim higher, Bugatti advised them.Inspired, in
1932 they brought in the young engineer Jean Francois. Francois
designed the Delahaye 135, produced from 1935 to 1954 in many
different body styles. At a time when the highest-end American
automobiles cost no more than $700, Delahaye 135s ranged between
$5000 and $7000, the customers choosing to have their bodies
customized by a number of top coachbuilders, including Figoni and
Falaschi, Guillore, Henri Chapron, Marcel Pourtout, Freres Dubois,
and - as in the case of this vehicle - Letourneur et Marchand. When
they built you a car you would be sat down and they would sketch
the car you asked for and then it would be constructed.A far
sportier model than any previous Delahaye vehicles, the 135 was
often nicknamed the Coupe Des Alpes, following its success in the
Alpine Rally. This was not the only racing success for these
durable and efficient motoring machines: the 135 won the 1937 Monte
Carlo rally and 1938s 24-hour Le Mans race, with two more Delahaye
135s crossing the Le Mans finishing line that year at second and
fourth. The 1949 Australian Grand Prix was won by a Delahaye 135MS,
driven by John Crouch.Any similarly illustrious history for our own
Delahaye 135M is unfortunately unknown. Unusually, we do know that
the Letourneur et Marchand bodywork design for this and its
missing-in-action sister car was ordered by the manufacturer
itself. Although delivered to its new owner in the months
immediately preceding the outbreak of World War 2 in September
1939, nothing is known of its life until 1960 when it was purchased
by a buyer in Connecticut.Then, it seems, the car simply went into
storage, the owner apparently something of a hoarder of antiques,
not merely automobiles.This four-seater passenger vehicle has
optional Rudge knock-off wire wheels, providing a more sporty look
and an optional Cotal Preselector transmission. It is also a single
carburetor car. And by being the only known survivor of that pair
of Letourneur et Marchand Delahaye 135M Cabriolet automobiles, it
is distinctively original.This archetypal classic car still has its
original engine, with matching numbers and the engine turns
freely.Understandably, after sitting for 62 years the engine was
indeed stuck. Using a Boroscope, it was discovered that the
cylinders were still shining. They were then assiduously sprayed
with penetrating oil. The oil pan was removed, all the connecting
rods were loosened, and each rod gave a gentle nudge. All six
pistons moved easily up into their bores, as none of them had
rusted solid. At first, the crankshaft would still not break free.
However, with diligent work, it started to move freely and it was
then that the connecting rods were re-tightened. Before progressing
any further, all 153 individual valve train parts were removed and
meticulously cleaned, lubricated, and re-installed. After the
oil-pan had been cleaned and re-installed, with fresh oil added,
the engine was then spun with its own starter, producing 20 pounds
of oil pressure while cranking and 60-80 psi of compression in each
cylinder. The decision was made to not start it but indications
are, it most likely would start with little effort.This historical
Delahaye 135M gives you an appreciation for the fine innovations
employed in its construction. For example, the Delahaye Crankshaft
is supported by four main bearings; a V8 Ford of the same era would
only have three. Accordingly, Delahaye 135Ms engine has far more
support. It also has a full pressure oiling system and a roller
timing-chain: today, all high-performance cars would have those.
The conclusion you come to is that this vehicle was very sensibly
constructed, built for durability, and was simple to service, as
well.This 1939 Delahaye 135M comes with confirming documentation
from the world-renowned Delahaye expert Jean-Paul Tissot, the
president of the Associ Expert Socit des Automobiles Delahaye,
attesting to the provenance of the vehicle see attached
letter.Clearly, our Delahaye 135M is a restoration project.Yet you
may rest assured: quite evidently no one else on this planet is
working on such a vehicle.As we said, it is utterly unique.For
$185,000