French registration title

In the same family between 1937 and 1974.
Superb 4-seater convertible combining sportiness, comfort and elegance
High performance and easy to drive

In October 1935 at the Paris Motor Show, visitors discovered, not without surprise, the new Delahaye Type 135 which represented the culmination of the six-cylinder engine. Brilliant but less delicate than a Bugatti 57, the Delahaye 135 fulfilled the charm of the discreet bourgeoisie and was appreciated by a wealthy clientele seeking versatility and reliability combined with the elegance of the great coachbuilders. Low and sleek, the car innovates in many technical aspects with a "Bloctube" chassis equipped with a central box allowing a much better rigidity than the traditional systems with simple spars. In addition, the car inherits the excellent independent front suspension from its predecessor, the Type 138. At its heart breathes the six-cylinder engine of the same 138, this time in two versions: 18 HP (3.2l) or 20 HP (3.5l). As these models were well born, they were to undergo limited mechanical evolution, but their versatility allowed them to shine on all fronts. In competition, the Delahaye 135 scored an incalculable number of successes, adding two of the most prestigious events of the time to its list of achievements: the 1937 Monte Carlo Rally and the 1938 24 Hours of Le Mans with three Delahayes in the first four places, led by the 135 S of Chaboud and Tremoulet at an average speed of over 130 km/h. These victories testify to both the road qualities and the endurance of the Delahaye 135. In addition to this racing success, very few cars have been produced in such a wide variety of models. The Type 135 became the favourite of the great coachbuilders for whom this low chassis was an ideal basis for shaping the most inspired lines. Alongside the "factory" bodywork produced by Chapron, others such as Figoni, Antem, Guilloré, Saoutchik, Labourdette and many others would produce interpretations ranging from the most sober to the most extravagant over the years.
Our Delahaye 135 M is an elegant 4-seater cabriolet bodied by Chapron in 1938 with the order number 5785, as can be seen on various parts of its bodywork. Its black livery is in good condition and has a beautiful patina, while the black soft top is in good condition as a high quality burgundy leather upholstery made some twenty years ago. The dashboard is complete and the woodwork is very nice, as is the general presentation of the car. Mechanically, its six-cylinder 20 HP engine is connected to a 4-speed Cotal electromagnetic gearbox. As an option at the time, it was also equipped with wire wheels with central clamping and white sidewall tyres. Bought new by an industrialist from Lorraine working in the metal industry, it remained in the same family until 1974, when one of the nephews took possession of it with the intention of restoring it. Due to a lack of time or money, the sleeping beauty remained in the family property and was stored for many years before being sold to its second owner in the 2000s. A keen collector, he began a total restoration by dismantling the bodywork to reach the chassis. The body was stripped before receiving a polished paint job and in the passenger compartment, the carpets and upholstery were redone respecting all the car's original aspects. On the mechanical side, the engine and the Cotal gearbox will be rebuilt, adding to the long list of work carried out. Known by the Delahaye Club and starting at the quarter turn, its recent immobilization since its purchase at Aguttes in March 2015 will nevertheless impose a service before going back on the road, rallies or prestigious concours.
Prestigious and above all extraordinarily homogeneous, capable of shining as much in concours d'élégance as on the track of the 24 Hours of Le Mans or on the roads of the Monte Carlo Rally, the Type 135 is an enviable model, especially in this elegant and refined definition sublimated by Chapron.

This car will be sold by auction by AGUTTES Auction House, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, on June the 20th, 2021.
The digital catalog is available by the following link
https://www.aguttes.com/en/catalog/113642?

Please contact us for any further details.
[email protected]
+33 147 459 301
+ 33 668 362 622