Description
This is the ultimate in French grandeur! The car we have is a very special Delahaye! It is an Delahaye 235 convertible by Antem! The Delahaye 235 succeed the 135 series, built between 1935 and early 1954. The 235 series has the famous and renowned 3500 cc 6-cylinder, triple carburettor engine producing 152 Hp and a top speed of 180 km/ hr. At the time it was thought that these figures were out of this world and was seen as the ?The ultimate in Grand Touring? model by Delahaye.
Only 85 examples of the 235 were ever made and came in a variety of body shapes such as the Coupe, Roadster, Coach and Convertible. A number of the days top bodywork builders and designers were commissioned; illustrious names such as Letourneur & Merchant, Figoni & Falaschi, Saoutchik, Motto , Chapron en Antem were engaged! Antem eventually built 14 of the 85 cars of which just 1 out them all was a convertible! Our car is that convertible with chassis number 818022.
It is a world beating design, a car in which the lines and styling can only be properly appreciated when you see the car in the flesh! There is such an abundance of lovely design elements that the accolade of art is really no exaggeration! It was no coincidence that chassis number 818022 served as the Grand Palais 1952 Paris Motor Show feature car!
It was first registered( 6772 BN 75) on the 6th November 1952 to a Parisian who kept the car until early 1957. In March 1957 it was sold to its second owner, again a Parisian, Mr. Victor Franssen originally of Belgium descent and know from various international movies. It was sold again in 1963, to be exact on the 21st June, with retention of the original number plates and registration. The new owner was another Parisian inhabitant a Mr Lucienne Sergent, lawyer.
Many years later the car became part of the famous Mr. Philippe Charbonneaux collection in Reims where it was exhibited in its museum. In 1985 the title passed to his son and became part of his daughter?s collection. Up to this time the car enjoyed good maintenance and remained in original condition with exception of the paintwork. A lovely and rather special detail is the steering wheel which was especially commissioned for the Paris Motor Show! A few years ago between 2012-2014 the last owner arranged for a well-known French specialist to totally restore and mechanically overhaul the car.
This was a thorough job with no expense or effort spared and completed with a keen eye to details and authenticity. The bodywork was subjected to a Bare-Metal restoration, everything was attended to including the wiring loom, instruments, a re-spray in the original finish, a completely new interior trim in the original colour and summer hood.
The full mechanical overhaul included the engine, brakes and ?Cotal? gearbox. Driving this abundantly powered car is a real feast. The whole restoration process has been documented with many photos and invoices. This is car that warrants its own book. A truly amazing styled Delahaye, the official Paris Motor Show car, unique, a one-off, its history known from day 1 with supporting evidence. No doubt this is a true collectors item!
