Model history: With the global economic depression barely over, Delahaye ventured into new, more exclusive grounds in 1934. The plan was to relive the glory years of the teens and twenties and to shed the dependable and somewhat boring image built up in the early 1930s. A first major step in that direction was the introduction of the six cylinder engined Type 138 in 1934, which was considerably more luxurious than the Delahayes offered in the previous years. More important for the company's legacy was the launch a year later of the Type 135 Sport that shared the six cylinder engine with the 138, but featured a much sportier chassis.
One of the 135's biggest assets was the relatively low-slung chassis, which made it a popular choice for custom coachbuilders, but naturally also increased the car's handling characteristics. Although not quite under-slung, the use of independent front suspension and arched frame members at the rear contributed to the car's low stance. Displacing just over 3.2 litre, the reverse-flow six cylinder engine was available with one or three Solex Carburetors, producing 95 or 113 bhp respectively. With no synchromesh on first and second the four speed gearbox was the weakest link of the drivetrain. This was relatively easily solved by having a Cotal preselector gearbox installed.
Another major contribution to the success was the 'Ecurie Bleue' racing team founded by American Lucy Schell. In short she desired to be the 'Scuderia Ferrari' of France, with Delahayes instead of Alfa Romeos. The team campaigned a specially prepared version of the three 'carb' 135 throughout the 1935 season with considerable success. The highlight was a victory in the Coupe des Alpes rally, which resulted in the high performance version receiving this model name to distinguish from the base model. The good results encouraged Delahaye to develop a more powerful, larger version of the six cylinder engine and a shorter, more agile chassis.
By increasing the bore by four millimeter, the engines displacement grew to nearly 3.6 litre and with it the output to 120 bhp with three carbs. The competition version with a high compression head produced 152 bhp. This engine was installed in a shorter and even lower chassis to form the 135 Special racing car. The 120 bhp engine was available in the road going 135 Competition and 135 Competition Court, which as the name suggests sports the short wheelbase chassis of the racer. This compact road car was particularly popular with the French coach builders and in 1936 Joseph Figoni debuted the first of his legendary 'teardrop' designs on this chassis.
Both in the salesroom and on the racing track the various types of the Delahaye 135 were very successful. Its competition highlight came at Le Mans in 1938 when Delahaye recorded a one-two victory against often faster, but less reliable competition. That year also saw a change in the road car line-up with the two top 3.6 litre models being replaced by the 135 M Competition powered by a one or three carb version of the large engine and the 135 MS fitted with the high compression competition engine. Soon after the War ended, production of the 135 continued. It was finally replaced some seventeen years after its introduction, in 1952.
Chassis: 48666
Coach-builder Figoni & Falaschi showed a very aerodynamic 'Torpedo Cabriolet' with covered front and rear wheels at the 1936 Paris Auto Salon on the short Delahaye 135 chassis. This was followed by ten nearly identical production cars of which chassis 48666 was the fifth. It was sold through the Viennese dealership to a customer in Bohemia. Having survived the War hidden away, it remained in what was now the Czech Republic until it was discovered in 1997 and sold to collector Jacquies Harguindeguy.
The spectacular Figoni & Falaschi Torpedo Cabriolet was brought to California for a full restoration. Before the work started the car's original configuration was extensively researched with the help of Claude Figoni, the son of the original designer. Three years later, the Delahaye 135 starred at the 50th edition of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it deservedly won the prestigious 'Best of Show' award. Now in new ownership, chassis 48666 returned to Pebble in 2006 where Delahaye was the featured marque. It was lined up along the Pacific Ocean next to one of its virtually identical sister car.
Chassis: 48667
The seventh Torpedo Cabriolet built by Figoni & Falaschi on the short 135 Competition chassis, chassis 48667 was completed in 1937. Like so many of the French luxury cars of the day, it re-appeared after the War in the United States. It had been brought there in 1939 when it was displayed at New York World Fair. Amazingly the current owner was one of the visitors and although he was immediately taken by the car, he had to wait until 1964 before he could buy it. In those 25 years the Torpedo Cabriolet was actively used and even raced in hill climbs.
Soon after acquiring the Delahaye, the current owner had it completely restored. It was finally brought out of hiding in 1994 when it was shown at the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance, which celebrated Delahaye's 100th anniversary. Since then chassis 48667 has been shown and driven at a wide variety of events around the world. It is seen here alongside one of its sister cars during the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where Delahaye was one of the featured marques.
Article by Wouter Melissen, last updated on October 24, 2008
Ultimatecarpage.com
> Cars by brand
> France
> Delahaye
135 Competition Court Figoni & Falaschi Torpedo Cabriolet
With the global economic depression barely over, Delahaye ventured into new, more exclusive grounds in 1934. The plan was to relive the glory years of the teens and twenties and to shed the dependable and somewhat boring image built up in the early 1930s. A first major step in that direction was the introduction of the six cylinder engined Type 138 in 1934, which was considerably more luxurious than the Delahayes offered in the previous years. More important for the company's legacy was the launch a year later of the Type 135 Sport that shared the six cylinder engine with the 138, but featured a much sportier chassis.
