1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coupe by Figoni et Falaschi

1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coupe by Figoni et Falaschi

Standing for Modifie Speciale, the 135 MS was the definitive version of Delahaye’s signature chassis. It had 100 mph performance which included it with the fastest cars in the world.

When the MS was released in 1938, its chassis had already won many victories including LeMans with special competition versions built for sporting clientele. These earlier cars featured three carburetors and special inlet ports and a six-port exhaust manifold which was later included for the first time on road cars with the 135 MS.

First shown at the 1935 Paris Auto Show, the 135 was an lower, more powerful and sporting version of the 18HP model it replaced. This model was updated in 1937, to include the 3,557cc engine in various states of tune. The the 135M or Modifie featured either one or three caburettors for 95hp or 115hp. The top model was the Modifie Speciale (MS) with 135hp.

As an option, the pre-selective Cotal transmission was available which used a gearshift lever mounted near the steering wheel to electromagnetically change gears. While totally complicated and hard to maintain, the clutch only had to be used for starting and stopping.

One aspect that made these Delahayes special were their connection to the great French carrosseris that made extravagant bodies and interiors for them. These were sometimes built for a Concours d’Elegance and most were almost always executed by Figoni et Falaschi who had a great sense of sweeping styles and subtle chrome decoration called brightwork. Many other great companies bodied the 135 MS including Saoutchik, Guillore, Chapron and Franay.

Unfortunately the 135MS was the last great car made by Delahaye. After the war they continued producing the same chassis restyled with a radiator grille and hood by designer Philippe Charbonneaux, but it was showing its age. In 1951, the 135 was replaced by the 235, which wasn’t very different.

Descriptions & pictures by ultimatecarpage