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Details
1939 DELAHAYE 135MS COMPETITION DROPHEAD
COACHWORK BY HENRI CHAPRON Chassis No. 60166
Engine No. 125103
Body No. 6987
Silver and cranberry with cranberry leather interior
Engine: 6 cylinder, 3,558 cc, 160bhp at 4,200rpm; Gearbox: Cotal electro-magnetic; Suspension: independent front with transverse leaf springs, semi-elliptic rear; Brakes: four wheel drums all around. Right hand drive.
In 1895 railway engineer Emile Delahaye set out to produce his first motor car. Leaving behind the rolling stock designs of the French and Belgian railroads, he adeptly moved his focus to the development and utilization of the internal combustion engine in a new form of motorized transport, namely the automobile. Following in the footsteps of his contemporary, Otto Daimler, Delahaye entered his car in the 1000 mile Marseilles-Paris race. Emile Delahaye's car not only finished the race, but did so with the use of pneumatic tires, an attempt previously unheard of let alone accomplished in racing. Over the next twenty years, Emile Delahaye made smart and calculated decisions that greatly improved the quality and popularity of the car that bore his namesake. With the introduction of the "Superluxe" car in 1936, Delahaye quickly rebounded from its past poor sales of the 1920s. The new 'Superluxe' Delahaye was offered with two powerplants, a 4 and 6 cylinder engine, the latter of which was used in the special competition models. The early success of the 'Superluxe' was largely due to the 1935 merger of French automaker Delage and compatriot Delahaye. The union of these two independent firms allowed for a larger client pool, greater name recognition and an increased design team. The Delage marque was predominantly known for its amazingly graceful coachbuilt bodies and luxurious appointments. The first of the conglomerate corporation cars, the 135, was sent to Montlhery, France, where it went on to break 18 world records. The competition Delahaye featured a streamlined body and the larger, more powerful 6 cylinder engine and when compared with a Bugatti, its reasonable cost created a stir in both France and the United Kingdom. The new Delahayes were released to the public with positive acceptance. The combination of the characteristic Delage styling paired with the equally luxurious appointments and the smart engineering and mechanics of Delahaye made the car a natural success. In the November 29, 1938, issue of The Motor magazine, the Delahaye 135MS was subjected to a severe and thorough road test. The review was more than favorable, ".....with the competition model Delahaye we covered 1,000 miles in three days, many of them just for the sheer pleasure of driving it. There are very few cars which offer such superb road holding and steering, such performance, and such instantly responsive controls."
The 1939 Delahayes wore streamlined coachbuilt bodies created by renowned firms such as Chapron, Franay, Figoni et Falaschi, Letourneur et Marchand, Saoutchik, and in England, by Carlton. The Delahaye 135 was a mechanically excellent car highlighted by its stylish carroserie and was always ahead of its time and never out of style. One of the options available was the Cotal magnetic gearbox. For an additional thirty dollars, your synchromesh gearbox was replaced with a more advanced system. Gear operation is similar to that of a synchromesh type, with one exception: while switching gears, it is not necessary to use the clutch at all. The myriad of standard options presented on the 135MS made this car a true luxury automobile, perhaps one of France's most beautiful and original touring cars ever built.
On December 15, 1938, a Parisian gentleman, Monsieur Aznavorian, placed his order for a two-tone ivory and blue Delahaye 135MS Competition Drophead. Three months later, the Henri Chapron-bodied Delahaye was delivered to Monsieur Aznavorian's Paris address. Not long after, the car was transported to England under new ownership, until the late 1950s when it was transported to the United States. Following the Delahaye's entry into the United States, the 135MS was reportedly purchased by Duesenberg historian, Ray Wolfe. Mr. Wolfe then brought the car to young specialist, Jack Dietz, who serviced and maintained the car at Mr. Wolfe's request until it was sold to a friend of Mr. Dietz's, who retained ownership of the car until his passing in the early 1990s. During that time the Delahaye was prepared for restoration, however, it was never begun and instead the Delahaye remained in storage for over 15 years in complete anonymity.
In the early 1990s, Jack Dietz was alerted of the car's wherabouts, amazingly still complete and in unrestored condition. After long negotiations, Mr. Dietz and William Lassiter were able to purchase the Delahaye and embark upon a total restoration at their on-site full service facility. Begun in the early 1990s, the restoration spanned over two years, using carefully restored original parts and as few replacement pieces as possible. The Delahaye was completely dismantled and stripped to bare metal, at which point, the very attractive two-tone silver and cranberry color scheme was chosen. All the brightwork was thoroughly redone and appears to be in excellent condition. Extensive work was devoted to making sure the body was as smooth and blemish free as possible before the car was sprayed. The rear metal wheel skirts, which were lost years earlier, were hand rolled to exact factory specifications. Some of the notable exterior accoutrements include Aerolux headlamps, Marchal rear lights and a forward-opening windshield.
The interior is as impressive in its detail and finish as the exterior. All the wood was re-veneered and inlaid with silver trim. The seats are upholstered in a rich dark red leather matching the soft velvet mauve colored headliner. The rear window and interior lights feature lavish, yet tasteful goldplating. The instrument panel includes an Elgin clock, as well as the correct O.S. gauges.
After close scrutiny, Mr. Lassiter's 135MS was recently distinguished with a 100 point judgement at the Mara-Lago, Florida Concours and was given a National First Prize by the Classic Car Club of America (no. 2140). It is fondly remembered by many of the auto journalists of the period, the Delahaye is a car which cannot fail to please the enthusiastic driver. It should be tried by all those who persist in yearning for the great sports cars of bygone days, and see no merit in the modern product. This exquisite 1939 Delahaye 135MS Competition Drophead is recognized as a full classic and is accordingly eligible for all club events and is undoubtedly one of the finest restored Delahayes that Christie's has ever had the pleasure of offering.
COACHWORK BY HENRI CHAPRON Chassis No. 60166
Engine No. 125103
Body No. 6987
Silver and cranberry with cranberry leather interior
Engine: 6 cylinder, 3,558 cc, 160bhp at 4,200rpm; Gearbox: Cotal electro-magnetic; Suspension: independent front with transverse leaf springs, semi-elliptic rear; Brakes: four wheel drums all around. Right hand drive.
In 1895 railway engineer Emile Delahaye set out to produce his first motor car. Leaving behind the rolling stock designs of the French and Belgian railroads, he adeptly moved his focus to the development and utilization of the internal combustion engine in a new form of motorized transport, namely the automobile. Following in the footsteps of his contemporary, Otto Daimler, Delahaye entered his car in the 1000 mile Marseilles-Paris race. Emile Delahaye's car not only finished the race, but did so with the use of pneumatic tires, an attempt previously unheard of let alone accomplished in racing. Over the next twenty years, Emile Delahaye made smart and calculated decisions that greatly improved the quality and popularity of the car that bore his namesake. With the introduction of the "Superluxe" car in 1936, Delahaye quickly rebounded from its past poor sales of the 1920s. The new 'Superluxe' Delahaye was offered with two powerplants, a 4 and 6 cylinder engine, the latter of which was used in the special competition models. The early success of the 'Superluxe' was largely due to the 1935 merger of French automaker Delage and compatriot Delahaye. The union of these two independent firms allowed for a larger client pool, greater name recognition and an increased design team. The Delage marque was predominantly known for its amazingly graceful coachbuilt bodies and luxurious appointments. The first of the conglomerate corporation cars, the 135, was sent to Montlhery, France, where it went on to break 18 world records. The competition Delahaye featured a streamlined body and the larger, more powerful 6 cylinder engine and when compared with a Bugatti, its reasonable cost created a stir in both France and the United Kingdom. The new Delahayes were released to the public with positive acceptance. The combination of the characteristic Delage styling paired with the equally luxurious appointments and the smart engineering and mechanics of Delahaye made the car a natural success. In the November 29, 1938, issue of The Motor magazine, the Delahaye 135MS was subjected to a severe and thorough road test. The review was more than favorable, ".....with the competition model Delahaye we covered 1,000 miles in three days, many of them just for the sheer pleasure of driving it. There are very few cars which offer such superb road holding and steering, such performance, and such instantly responsive controls."
The 1939 Delahayes wore streamlined coachbuilt bodies created by renowned firms such as Chapron, Franay, Figoni et Falaschi, Letourneur et Marchand, Saoutchik, and in England, by Carlton. The Delahaye 135 was a mechanically excellent car highlighted by its stylish carroserie and was always ahead of its time and never out of style. One of the options available was the Cotal magnetic gearbox. For an additional thirty dollars, your synchromesh gearbox was replaced with a more advanced system. Gear operation is similar to that of a synchromesh type, with one exception: while switching gears, it is not necessary to use the clutch at all. The myriad of standard options presented on the 135MS made this car a true luxury automobile, perhaps one of France's most beautiful and original touring cars ever built.
On December 15, 1938, a Parisian gentleman, Monsieur Aznavorian, placed his order for a two-tone ivory and blue Delahaye 135MS Competition Drophead. Three months later, the Henri Chapron-bodied Delahaye was delivered to Monsieur Aznavorian's Paris address. Not long after, the car was transported to England under new ownership, until the late 1950s when it was transported to the United States. Following the Delahaye's entry into the United States, the 135MS was reportedly purchased by Duesenberg historian, Ray Wolfe. Mr. Wolfe then brought the car to young specialist, Jack Dietz, who serviced and maintained the car at Mr. Wolfe's request until it was sold to a friend of Mr. Dietz's, who retained ownership of the car until his passing in the early 1990s. During that time the Delahaye was prepared for restoration, however, it was never begun and instead the Delahaye remained in storage for over 15 years in complete anonymity.
In the early 1990s, Jack Dietz was alerted of the car's wherabouts, amazingly still complete and in unrestored condition. After long negotiations, Mr. Dietz and William Lassiter were able to purchase the Delahaye and embark upon a total restoration at their on-site full service facility. Begun in the early 1990s, the restoration spanned over two years, using carefully restored original parts and as few replacement pieces as possible. The Delahaye was completely dismantled and stripped to bare metal, at which point, the very attractive two-tone silver and cranberry color scheme was chosen. All the brightwork was thoroughly redone and appears to be in excellent condition. Extensive work was devoted to making sure the body was as smooth and blemish free as possible before the car was sprayed. The rear metal wheel skirts, which were lost years earlier, were hand rolled to exact factory specifications. Some of the notable exterior accoutrements include Aerolux headlamps, Marchal rear lights and a forward-opening windshield.
The interior is as impressive in its detail and finish as the exterior. All the wood was re-veneered and inlaid with silver trim. The seats are upholstered in a rich dark red leather matching the soft velvet mauve colored headliner. The rear window and interior lights feature lavish, yet tasteful goldplating. The instrument panel includes an Elgin clock, as well as the correct O.S. gauges.
After close scrutiny, Mr. Lassiter's 135MS was recently distinguished with a 100 point judgement at the Mara-Lago, Florida Concours and was given a National First Prize by the Classic Car Club of America (no. 2140). It is fondly remembered by many of the auto journalists of the period, the Delahaye is a car which cannot fail to please the enthusiastic driver. It should be tried by all those who persist in yearning for the great sports cars of bygone days, and see no merit in the modern product. This exquisite 1939 Delahaye 135MS Competition Drophead is recognized as a full classic and is accordingly eligible for all club events and is undoubtedly one of the finest restored Delahayes that Christie's has ever had the pleasure of offering.
Sale room notice
Please note the body number should read 6087. The rear metal wheel skirts described in the catalogue should read the rear metal inner mud flaps.
Please also note the original engine no. is 103354/D84 and not 125103 as stated in the catalogue.
Please also note the original engine no. is 103354/D84 and not 125103 as stated in the catalogue.