Description
In the aftermath of World War II, Delahaye had survived battered but not broken. Until production of their landmark 135-series could resume, the company paid the bills by building commercial trucks and buses. Once the 135M was revised for the post-war climate, however, Delahaye was back in business as one of France’s premier sports car makers. The revised 135M was in essence the same as the pre-war model but it featured a widened track, and more powerful, refined versions of the same 3, 558 c. c. six-cylinder engine, with output as high as 160 horsepower in ultimate specification.
Owned by Prince Birabongse of Siam, the famed Racing driver. This Delahaye 135M comes to us with two large box files of history & photographs detailing the extensive works undertaken to it. In addition to a full engine out rebuild, the Cotal Automatic gear box has also been disassembled & brand new planetary gears fabricated etc. As a result the car is a pleasure to drive.
The car is finished in black with dark Mauve accents to the wings. To the interior is mauve leather with matching carpets giving the vehicle a very striking appearance. Coachwork is by Pennock to a design penned by Chapron. It takes the form of a versatile three position drop head with seating for four in comfort. Spats fitted to the rear wheels accentuate the volumptuous lines of the car.
The engine is a sporty 3. 6 litre six cylinder unit fed by triple solex carburettors. This gives the car tremendous performance, sitting somewhere between that of a Bugatti type 57 & a Derby Bentley but closer to the Bugatti end of the scale. The Cotal Electro-magnetic automatic gear box makes the car a delight to drive & is seamless in its operation; similar infact to a preselector ‘box but without the pre select bit. After pulling away one simply flicks the miniscule H pattern gear switch to the appropriate gear & it instantly & smoothly engages. Make no mistake, this is a fast car with 100 mph attainable which is rare for a machine made around the time of the Second World War.
Rare & desirable, everything needing to be done has been done to this car leaving it in impeccable condition. It is the embodiment of the French “Grand Routier” and well suited to high speed continental touring with plenty or room for luggage. The coachwork is the epitome of 1930’s elegance being somewhat flamboyant in appearance whilst also remaining sleek & sporty making it a real drivers car.
