Vehicle Description
To many, the storied French carmaker Delahaye is best known for the
swoopy, elegant coachbuilt Grand Tourers that typically grace the
lawns of prestigious Concours d'Elegance around the world. Delahaye
is commonly associated with coachbuilders like Figoni et Falaschi
and Henri Chapron, with their sumptuous curves and sophisticated
French style. But nearly from the company's inception, the
eponymous founder, Emile Delahaye, firmly believed that motorsport
was a valuable tool for developing and promoting his motorcars.
After his untimely passing, motorsport fell out of favor with
management, but by the 1920s, clients pressed for a return to form,
and Delahaye was soon back at the forefront of top-level
motorsport. They achieved success in a wide variety of events, from
international Grand Prix racing to endurance racing and continental
rallying. Cars like the Type 135 S and Type 145 scored well in
circuit racing, while the road-going Type 135 MS proudly
represented France in events like the prestigious Alpine Cup Rally.
Briton Alan Selborne was an occasional competitor in Delahaye cars
and had close ties with the factory as the official importer and
agent for the marque in the British Isles. He often promoted races
and events and hosted the works team on his home soil. In the years
leading up to World War II, Grand Prix cars were developed at a
feverish pace as the government-backed German squads of Auto Union
and Mercedes-Benz produced increasingly exotic and powerful
machinery. Selborne longed for simpler times when road and racing
cars were more closely related, and he began to design a sporting
Delahaye that had the looks of a racer but the refinement of a road
car. It was not until 1949 that his plan began to take shape.
Selborne delivered a Type 135 chassis, number 800518, in
high-performance "MS" specification to coachbuilder Guy
Jason-Henry's workshop in 1949. Jason-Henry created a lightweight
aluminum body akin to the Works Type 145 Grand Prix racer - with
its narrow fuselage, cut-down cockpit, and spindly cycle fenders -
but incorporating two seats, headlamps, tail lamps, and a proper
windscreen. The inline-six under the bonnet was equipped with
triple Solex carburetors and backed by a Cotal electro-magnetic
4-speed gearbox. Selborne displayed the completed car on the
Delahaye stand at the 1950 Earls Court Motor Show. After the motor
show, Selborne sold the Type 135 prototype to Czech/English
filmmaker Alexander Korda. He enjoyed the car for at least a decade
before selling it to the Welsh character actor Hubert Rees, who
appeared in numerous British television programs throughout the
1960s and 70s. In 1972, Rees sold 800518 to Carlton Coolidge of San
Francisco, who, in turn, sold it to the respected marque historian
and author Richard Adatto in 1979. From there, Adatto restored the
Delahaye and enjoyed it on the race track and the concours lawn. He
participated in the Monterey Historic races in 1981 and 1982 and
showed the car at the 1982 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, taking
second in the Delahaye class - fresh from the race track! Many
years later, and while still in the care of Mr. Adatto, 800518
received a mechanical and cosmetic freshening in preparation for
the Colorado Grand. It was reported to run flawlessly throughout
the 1,000-mile mountain drive - a compelling demonstration of the
car's dual-purpose capabilities as envisioned by Alan Selborne. The
Selborne Delahaye then joined a private collection, where it has
remained since 2014. As offered, this unique and evocative
prototype is in excellent condition, with attractive cosmetics and
detailing. Finished in French blue and fitted with lovely chrome
wire wheels, it evokes images of Works Delahaye competition cars
dusting up rivals at Brooklands, Montlhery, and Le Mans. Recent
servicing has found it to be in fine mechanical order, including
the Cotal gearbox, which functions well. The lightweight coachwork
and powerful, robust inline-six ensure brisk acceleration, and the
relatively long wheelbase makes for stable and predictable
handling. Unfortunately for many motoring enthusiasts, Alan
Selborne's dream for a series production Type 135 sports car did
not materialize beyond this singular example. However, it
represents a one-off opportunity for marque enthusiasts and
collectors to acquire an unusually sporty post-war Delahaye with
fascinating provenance. Unburdened by the ornate, heavy coachwork
of the period, the Selborne Delahaye allows the full ability of the
135 MS chassis to shine, and its next custodian will undoubtedly
delight in this unique experience. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7457-1946-delahaye-135-ms/
