Delahaye 135 Classic Cars for Sale

History of the Delahaye 135

Unveiled in 1935, the Delahaye 135 marked a strategic shift for Delahaye towards sporty, technically progressive vehicles. Engineered by Jean François, the model was positioned as a refined yet athletic luxury car, suitable for both spirited touring and competitive motorsport. Surviving wartime disruption, the 135 retained strong demand in postwar France, benefiting from technological refinements that included a wider track and improved engines. The chassis was celebrated for its compatibility with bespoke coachwork, attracting Europe's leading carrozzeria to create unique, elegant bodies. As Delahaye’s reputation for performance and style grew, the 135 earned notable victories—claiming success at events like the 1935 Rallye des Alpes françaises and securing podiums at Le Mans (1937, 1938) and the Monte-Carlo Rally.

Model History of the Delahaye 135

The Delahaye 135 was initially launched with a straight-six, 3.2-litre engine and quickly evolved. By 1936 the 135M variant emerged, offering an enlarged 3.6-litre engine and multi-carburettor options, boosting power from 95 to 160 hp depending on configuration. The MS (“Modèle Spécial”) pushed this formula to its peak. Across its nearly two-decade run (1935–1954), some 2,592 examples left the factory, frequently as rolling chassis destined for custom bodies by houses like Figoni et Falaschi or Saoutchik. Production included both prewar and postwar versions, the latter with technical updates such as a new grille design from 1949. The adaptability of the 135 also saw it compete successfully as saloon, coupé, cabriolet, and roadster, establishing it as the cornerstone of Delahaye’s legacy.

Highlights of the Delahaye 135

A defining feature of the Delahaye 135 is the broad diversity of coachbuilt bodies, with notables such as the Figoni et Falaschi ‘Teardrop Coupé’, ‘El Glaoui’ cabriolet, and Guilloré Roadster standing out. Technically, the car is distinguished by its advanced independent front suspension, the option of Cotal electromagnetic pre-select transmission, and a robust rear-wheel-drive setup. Its Art Deco influences, unique one-off executions, and competitive success make it a regular winner at concours d’élégance. The model’s appeal is cemented by its exclusivity: each car is effectively a unique specimen, tailored to the owner’s requirements.

Technical Data for the Delahaye 135

Special Editions and Collectible Models

Delahaye 135 special editions include the rare MS (‘Modèle Spécial’) high-performance specification, the 135M with triple carburettors, and several bespoke art cars by leading coachbuilders: Figoni et Falaschi’s ‘Teardrop Coupé’, ‘El Glaoui’ Cabriolet, and highly individual competition roadsters by Guilloré or E.D. Abbott. These variants are celebrated for their exclusivity, performance upgrades, and contribution to the period’s grand touring culture.

Engine, Performance, Transmission and Handling

With up to 160 hp from a sophisticated in-line six, the Delahaye 135 offered brisk performance for its era, with top speeds approaching 140 km/h in standard forms, and higher for MS competition variants. The advanced suspension—independent at the front, live at the rear—combined with Cotal pre-selector transmission options enabled precise control and smooth rapidity, benefitting both touring and competition use. The flexibility of engine and carburation setups (from single to triple Solex) allowed owners to tailor performance. - Delahaye 135M (1936–postwar): 3.6-litre engine, up to 160 hp, available with triple carburettors, often paired with exquisite bespoke coupé or cabriolet bodies.

• Delahaye 135 MS: Competition-tuned, three carbs, high-compression engine, recognisable by its sporting chassis and racing lineage.
• 135 Figoni et Falaschi ‘Teardrop Coupé’: Art Deco styling with exceptional aerodynamic design, frequently cited among the finest interwar automobiles demarcating style and speed.

Interior, Comfort, Exterior and Design

Design was a principal hallmark of the 135, with master coachbuilders like Figoni et Falaschi, Guilloré, Franay, and Saoutchik giving each chassis its own character. Interiors often featured finely crafted wood dashboards, high-quality leather, Art Deco ornamentation, and unique switchgear and dials. Body styles ranged from streamlined coupés to sumptuously appointed cabriolets, usually featuring special paint finishes and chromed brightwork. Notably, accessories such as custom roof mechanisms, bespoke luggage, and individual seats reflected patron requirements, while postwar models adopted broader grilles and refined details mirroring contemporary design shifts.

Other Noteworthy Features

The Delahaye 135 was regularly specified with right-hand drive, an unusual trait for a continental European grand tourer. Each example, a near one-off, exhibits distinctive mechanical, stylistic, and ergonomic solutions, depending on coachbuilder and customer taste. The versatility of its chassis spawned both glamorous touring cars for concours and highly competitive rally and circuit racers, often with specialist adaptations to suspension and intake systems.

Summary

The Delahaye 135 stands as a singular achievement in French automotive culture, perfectly bridging racing acumen and luxury motoring. Its legacy rests on mastery by leading design ateliers, mechanical innovation such as independent front suspension and sophisticated gearbox options, and a production history marked by continual technical refinement. With 100% of Delahaye listings in our inventory for this series, the 135 remains the quintessential Delahaye classic—a grand tourer and a bespoke artefact of a bygone golden era of motoring.