1948 | Delahaye 135MS Chapron

1948 Delahaye 135MS Chapron Grande Luxe Cabriolet
Chassis Number: 801183
Registration Number: 4632MS75 (Cancelled)
Delahayes have always been remarkable automobiles. Not only they were fast and easy to drive, but also beautiful to look at. The company was founded 1884 by Émile Delahaye in Tours, France. In the beginning Delahaye was experimenting with belt-driven cars, however it didn't take long time and they began to build a reputation as a manufacturer of reliable and powerful cars.
The Delahaye 135 was introduced at 1935 Paris Motor Show and within a few months it became a symbol of sporty and elegant car. Its driving characteristics are even today very impressive. In the time of their glory Delahayes won in race such as Grand Prix Automobile de Marseille, Rallye Monte Carlo or 24 Hours of LeMans.
Type 135 MS (Modifiée Spéciale) was introduced in 1938 like a new top-of-the-line model. It is powered by 3.5 litre, inline six-cylinder OHV engine with three carburettors which generates approx. 160 BHP. It uses a Cotal gear box making the car very very easy to drive & is entirely at home in modern traffic with a fair turn of speed from the triple carb 3.6 litre engine.
This Delahaye 135 MS, chassis number 801.183, was built in 1948 and delivered to Henri Chapron. Here the car received one of the most exclusive bodies this famous coachbuilder had to offer, the Grand Luxe Cabriolet. In our point of view this is the most beautiful creation from Chapron's workshop exemplifying the quintessential French Grande Routier.
Today the car is in very good, fully functional condition after older recommissioning with "new" paint (approx. 20 years old). The interior of this car is still original and the car was completely "serviced" very few miles ago in one of the best restoration workshops in France, where it also received a new electrical wiring loom. Impressive is also the fact, that this automobile was in one ownership from 1962 to 2023 with Mr. Guerké, who was the Air France pilot until being purchased by the current owmer.
The car is located in Prague where it may be viewed by prior appointment & is EEC taxes paid. We can of course arrange world wide delivery. This is one of a TRIO we have from the same collection with one other being fully restored along with a 2 door coupe.