1946 Delahaye 135 M Coupe

Delahaye production motor vehicles from the mid-1890s to 1954. In 1935, Delahaye merged with Delage, resulting in a new and well-engineered Type 135 chassis. Power came from a large displacement 3.6 liter engine. The T135M of 1936 proved itself to be a capable motorsports competitor when a quartet of racing models placed 2nd through 5th at that year's French Grand Prix. In 1937, the Delahaye's earned an outright victory at the Monte Carlo Rally followed by another victory at the 1938 Le Mans 24-Hour race.

The Type 135 M had a low-slung chassis and given stylish bodies by some of hate best known and most prestigious of French carrosseriers. War time halted production in 1940, but when it resumed, Delahaye introduced the Type 135 M for 1946. The 3.6L six continued to power the series through to its 1951 conclusion. In the traditional French fashion, all 135 M chassis were right-hand drive.

This post-WWII Delahaye Type 135 M wears a body crafted by French carrosserier A. Guilloré. It is a close-coupled 2-door body that is known in Europe as a Coach Coupe. The completed car was delivered new in Amsterdam to an owner whose name is seemingly lost to history. It was acquired there in 1952 by Ralph McNight, a Canadian citizen. He had the car subsequently shipped from Holland to Quebec. By 1955, ownership had passed to a Jean Charest, resident of a Montreal suburb. In 1960, Leon Frechon of Hudson, Quebec obtained the Delahaye —and sold it that same year to the current owner, also then living in the province. The current caretaker has preserved the Delahaye in its original mechanical configuration. It has its original 'matching numbers' engine which was gone over and received new bearings during a thorough overhaul of the chassis preparatory to the full body-off restoration completed in 1993.

Descriptions & pictures by conceptcarz & bonhams & other