Delahaye

I lusted after this car last year. 

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/jg21/the-guikas-collection/lots/r0016-1950-delahaye-135-ms-cabriolet-by-saoutchik/1074454

This should be an interesting thread. There are conservative makes, and more flamboyant makes, and then there is Delahaye. Never to be accused of being shy.

This car traded hands at auction recently and I enjoyed reading and following the media presentation of it.

https://worldwideauctioneers.com/listings/scottsdale-auction-2022/1935-delahaye-135-m/

John BloomJul 12, 2022

This should be an interesting thread. There are conservative makes, and more flamboyant makes, and then there is Delahaye. Never to be accused of being shy.

I only know what I Google, but I think my favorites so far are the 135 cars by the likes of Pennock and Chapron.  Really beautiful lines, but not so flamboyant that it no longer seems to be a functioning car.   I love this design by Pennock: 

One more question to add to the mix: How do you learn more about Delahayes?  I know of only one English-language book that covers them in detail, the Mullin Museum's, "French Curves - Delahaye, Delage, & Talbot-Lago," but it's $150 to buy.  Is anything else good? There are videos on youtube, but I don't see much in terms of books, etc.

Orin, I need to take you to a collection in the mid west that has a bunch of them. 

There are two or three of these bodies.   RM sold one at Amelia about 5 years ago.   I was lusting after that one too.

A early picture of the Saoutchik I posted at the beginning of the thread.

alsancleJul 13, 2022

There are two or three of these bodies.   RM sold one at Amelia about 5 years ago.   I was lusting after that one too.

Beautiful.  The coachbuilder wasn't too worried about whether drivers behind you would see your taillights, I gather. 

I like the post war units also. They still had some decent coachbuilding on their chassis.  

Where do you start or stop?

Here are three in the Mullin Museum in Oxnard, CA.  For more about the blue 1937 Type 145 race car, read the book "Faster" by Neal Bascomb.  I think one could reasonably call these "performance cars".

Gary_AshJul 14, 2022

Here are three in the Mullin Museum in Oxnard, CA.  For more about the blue 1937 Type 145 race car, read the book "Faster" by Neil Bascomb.  I think one could reasonably call these "performance cars".

Gary, thumbs up to Faster. 
 

There is also a lot of info about the 1930s racing Delahayes and the drivers in the book "Grand Prix Saboteurs", available from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Grand-Prix-Saboteurs-Joe-Saward/dp/0955486807 

A wonderful book about a true gentleman racer. Met him once. He was very approachable. I asked him to sign my copy. Then I asked questions regarding a Bugatti I was working on that he drove. He recounted races and answered all my questions. Good guy. He raced Delahaye cars. That’s him in the Type 145 when he won the the Prix Du Million.

This Curbside Classics article has an overview of Delahaye history:

Automotive History: French Deadly Sins (Third Helping, part 3) – Delahaye 4.5 Litres (type 175 / 178 / 180) & Delage D6: Cream And Punishment | Curbside Classic

Thanks for the heads up about the Curbside Classics article! Few articles done on the make and Delage as well.; I have a fair amount of material and period photographs on Delehaye and Delage that would be enough for a decent commentary but all of that takes time to do and then find a place to see it in print   Something that could never appear in our AACA magazine due to lack of space.

Walt GJul 15, 2022

Thanks for the heads up about the Curbside Classics article! Few articles done on the make and Delage as well.; I have a fair amount of material and period photographs on Delehaye and Delage that would be enough for a decent commentary but all of that takes time to do and then find a place to see it in print   Something that could never appear in our AACA magazine due to lack of space.

Walt:

The author of this article, Tatra87, has written a number of well-researched and presented articles on obscure foreign makes which are worthwhile reads.   Many are under the "Deadly Sin" title as the particular series lead to the demise of the nameplate.    Not that you need more to fill your time, but I believe you'll find his articles are worth your time.

Steve

58L-Y8Jul 15, 2022

This Curbside Classics article has an overview of Delahaye history:

Automotive History: French Deadly Sins (Third Helping, part 3) – Delahaye 4.5 Litres (type 175 / 178 / 180) & Delage D6: Cream And Punishment | Curbside Classic

Fantastic article!  Thanks for posting, I learned a lot.

Here is one from my archives/library - at the Paris Salon , I have so many period photographs of European and American cars at the annual four European auto Salons held , plus all the ones shown in OMNIA magazine that I have a full run of from 1920 to 1931 ( it was a monthly high grade quality auto periodical). Details for these cars can be found in the inch plus thick souvenir programs sold at the salons , and I have a run of those as well for the pre war years.  To much stuff , to many stories that are waiting to be told by taking the time and effort to assemble the history puzzle.

1935PackardJul 16, 2022

Fantastic article!  Thanks for posting, I learned a lot.

Tell your wife she doesn't need that new car or kitchen remodel. It's much more urgent you buy a French custom bodied car...........

Walt GJul 16, 2022

Here is one from my archives/library - at the Paris Salon , I have so many period photographs of European and American cars at the annual four European auto Salons held , plus all the ones shown in OMNIA magazine that I have a full run of from 1920 to 1931 ( it was a monthly high grade quality auto periodical). Details for these cars can be found in the inch plus thick souvenir programs sold at the salons , and I have a run of those as well for the pre war years.  To much stuff , to many stories that are waiting to be told by taking the time and effort to assemble the history puzzle.

Delahayes used sooo many different bumper designs. This car captures my attention, because it looks so similar to the one my grandfather bought. Same bumpers and fog lights, and apparently same coachbuilder --- Chapron.

It's interesting the European coachbuilders figured out how to build B-pillarless touring coupes decades before the idea occurred to American automakers to clamp a hardtop on a convertible body.  Although it might seem a minor change, it increases the appeal of what can otherwise be a rather prosaic body style.

A few I can add:

edinmassJul 16, 2022

Tell your wife she doesn't need that new car or kitchen remodel. It's much more urgent you buy a French custom bodied car...........

I will be sure to tell her, le temps presse!   But she will just laugh at my ability to use Google Translate.

I love this unrestored 1938 cabriolet, another by Chapron that is similar to the one Walt G shows above. 

1936 Delahaye 135 Cabriolet by Henri Chapron, from the French magazine Miroir du Monde. 

TG

1939 Delahaye 135MS Cabriolet by Figoni & Falaschi and the Triple Tree Aerodrome's 1938 Spartan 7W Executive in the Aero Expo at the 2019

Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival.

1939 Delahaye 135MS Cabriolet by Figoni & Falaschi and the Triple Tree Aerodrome's P-51 Mustang, "Tempus Fugit".

TG

The Peter Mullins Foundation's 1939 Delahaye 165 Cabriolet by Figoni & Falaschi took Best of Show, European at Meadow Brook in 2009.

TG

At Meadow Brook in 2009, a 1948 Delahaye 135MS Cabriolet by Faget & Varnet, a small Parisian coachbuilder.

At the time, the owners took their elderly poodle everywhere with them, even to the awards stand!

TG

1937 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet by Figoni & Falaschi at Meadow Brook in 2009.

TG

Classic Car Club of America's Museum car out at Gilmores.   I painted it 5 ish years ago.  Time flies.  

The two Delahayes at the RM Sotheby's Monterey auction: 

1) The 1950 Delahaye 180 Transformable Cabriolet by Franay had a $200k-$250K estimate and went for $318,500 including buyer's premium.

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo22/monterey/lots/p0017-1950-delahaye-180-transformable-cabriolet-by-franay/1252969

2) The 1946 Delahaye 135 M Coach by Guilloré had a $100k-$150K estimate and went for $98K.

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo22/monterey/lots/p0016-1946-delahaye-135-m-coach-by-guilloré/1252975

I love that '46 coupe.  Seems a great deal at that price for a collector who is open to closed car.   

Good video of a very nice Delahaye, although I'm not sure I like the rear-mounted spare. 

1935PackardOct 20, 2022

Good video of a very nice Delahaye, although I'm not sure I like the rear-mounted spare. 

Orin,  you are not wrong.  It messes the lines up on this particular car.

A late friend, owning a long succession of chiefly Gallic high end cars of the '30s, '40s, whose Delahaye took Bauble Beach's 2000 Best of Show,  said they were better real world cars than Bugattis, and he'd owned two of those, a Type 57 and postwar continuation Type 101.  But that comment could be ascribed to many makes.  Most Delahayes were powered by a light/medium duty six-cylinder ohv truck engine, the equivalent of a French GMC, and with few exceptions, retained mechanical brakes through the end in 1954.   This same fellow rightly remarked in the late '90s that it was "all over" for the big, boxy "Classics (a nebulous term)" of the early '30s,  the only premium prewar cars holding their value being those with "swoop;"  Lincoln Zephyrs and Continentals, Cadillacs, Buicks, Packard Darrins and Clippers, so custom bodied barouches like Delahayes held their own, style selling cars in the day and since.  

 For perspective, Hill & Vaughn's president, Raja Gargour, remarked in Road & Track's 1991 Salon of a straight eight ohv '37 Delage D8, the more premium and powerful offering of the Delahaye/Delage partnership, that he found it "less satisfying than a Packard" of the era,  likely referring to a One-Twenty.  But the six-cylinder Delahaye Type 135 was a sound, relatively affordable chassis for various ever sleekening Moderne stylings, hence their popularity today.

 Ettore Bugatti drove a Packard Eight on long, fast Continental business trips.   Ralph Stein preferred Alfa Romeos to Bugattis.  

  What hurts Delahayes today is that this hobby was more fun before the advent of nest-feathering auction house press release pomposity and janitorial d' non-elegances having little to do with the prewar European affairs at which cars judged solely on line, form, presence, perhaps driven to the hotel grounds in the rain the night before, a bit of mud still in the tire treads.

  For greater perspective on Delahaye,  Monsieur 1935 Packard, consider the  schizophrenia in the CCCA.  The most widely owned car among members is a 1941-47 Cadillac Series 62, sharing every piece of sheet metal with  Pontiac, tho' offering HydraMatic, so you've got "Classic" golf carts.  Yet the single most heavily posted CCCA forum thread is of the overrated, overblown Mercedes 500/540K, so there's a good deal of Walter Mittyism.   However,  if you can drive a well fettled Delahaye owned by a content, honest owner, you might abide it.  Less the comic opera rear overhang and front fender skirts, such examples strictly for children of wealth on Paris's flat streets and the level Route Nationale.   Their commonly fitted Cotal pre-select transmission, akin to England's Wilson unit, both more reliable than the 1936-37 Cords' four-speed version of the 1935-36 Hudson's Bendix "Electric Hand,"  enables you to drive as fast backwards as forwards.  

Su8overdriveJun 20, 2023

A late friend, owning a long succession of chiefly Gallic high end cars of the '30s, '40s, whose Delahaye took Bauble Beach's 2000 Best of Show,  said they were better real world cars than Bugattis, and he'd owned two of those, a Type 57 and postwar continuation Type 101.  But that comment could be ascribed to many makes.  Most Delahayes were powered by a light/medium duty six-cylinder ohv truck engine, the equivalent of a French GMC, and with few exceptions, retained mechanical brakes through the end in 1954.   This same fellow rightly remarked in the late '90s that it was "all over" for the big, boxy "Classics (a nebulous term)" of the early '30s,  the only premium prewar cars holding their value being those with "swoop;"  Lincoln Zephyrs and Continentals, Cadillacs, Buicks, Packard Darrins and Clippers, so custom bodied barouches like Delahayes held their own, style selling cars in the day and since.  

 For perspective, Hill & Vaughn's president, Raja Gargour, remarked in Road & Track's 1991 Salon of a straight eight ohv '37 Delage D8, the more premium and powerful offering of the Delahaye/Delage partnership, that he found it "less satisfying than a Packard" of the era,  likely referring to a One-Twenty.  But the six-cylinder Delahaye Type 135 was a sound, relatively affordable chassis for various ever sleekening Moderne stylings, hence their popularity today.

 Ettore Bugatti drove a Packard Eight on long, fast Continental business trips.   Ralph Stein preferred Alfa Romeos to Bugattis.  

  What hurts Delahayes today is that this hobby was more fun before the advent of nest-feathering auction house press release pomposity and janitorial d' non-elegances having little to do with the prewar European affairs at which cars judged solely on line, form, presence, perhaps driven to the hotel grounds in the rain the night before, a bit of mud still in the tire treads.

  For greater perspective on Delahaye,  Monsieur 1935 Packard, consider the  schizophrenia in the CCCA.  The most widely owned car among members is a 1941-47 Cadillac Series 62, sharing every piece of sheet metal with  Pontiac, tho' offering HydraMatic, so you've got "Classic" golf carts.  Yet the single most heavily posted CCCA forum thread is of the overrated, overblown Mercedes 500/540K, so there's a good deal of Walter Mittyism.   However,  if you can drive a well fettled Delahaye owned by a content, honest owner, you might abide it.  Less the comic opera rear overhang and front fender skirts, such examples strictly for children of wealth on Paris's flat streets and the level Route Nationale.   Their commonly fitted Cotal pre-select transmission, akin to England's Wilson unit, both more reliable than the 1936-37 Cords' four-speed version of the 1935-36 Hudson's Bendix "Electric Hand,"  enables you to drive as fast backwards as forwards.  

Thanks, Su8overdrive., for the practical perspective. if they're stunning to look at, but not very useful as actual cars, that's not all that desirable to own.  And it does seem notable that the only ones I have seen at CCCA events are a show car or two that was brought on and off the trailer.  

I was really interested to see this 1937 Delahaye Cabriolet by Chapron at the Gooding auction today.  No reserve, $225k-$275k estimate, and just went for $207K including the buyer's premium.   It looks incredible from 10 feet away, although you realize it's not a concours winner when you're really close up: Paint shows orange peel, there are some scratches here and there, etc.  But it's a lot of car for the price.  I think it's a bit overdone, with too many colors, but it's still pretty cool. (The front bumper looks off, but I noticed each side is mounted to just a single bolt; I wonder if it's just at the wrong angle. I don't know.)

Some close up shots.  Sorry most of them uploaded sideways, I took them vertically -- sorry about that.

Looking around the web, looks like the bumper halves may just be at the wrong angle. Others look like this, with the bumpers close to horizontal at the ends and dropping at the center to match the contours of the grill—which makes a lot more sense.

Some of the Delahayes at the Pebble show today.

More.

More. 
 

More.

I've mentioned that I like the Pennock-bodied cars, and I found this very interesting resource online: Someone constructed histories of the various known Pennock-bodied Delahayes.  Not all of them, but a lot of them, including how they have changed over time.  Info at the link, and be sure to tell Google to translate it from the original Dutch into English.

https://www.vincentvandervinne.nl/autos-van-delahaye-met-een-carrosserie-van-pennock/

The 135 is not a very large car but some of the bodies make the car look longer than it is.  While others not so much. 

As I posted on page 1.  I'm a big Pourtout fan.

I have always been enamored with these autos, the styling is unmatched. Have not seen very many in person, maybe less than 3? Because of that I have figured they were mostly a one off kind of car made in very limited numbers. But reading through this thread it seems they were made in greater numbers than I ever imagined. What was the total production of these cars?

TAKerry, 

There were 2,592 Delahayes produced from 1935-1952, including 1,115 built post-WWII, according to what I have read 

There were also Delahayes built before 1935, but they're very different from the later cars.  it wasn't until 1935 that Delahaye made the stylish cars that you see at concours and the like.  According to Richard Adatto's book, Delahaye: Styling and Design, Delahaye turned to high end cars in 1935 on the thinking that the Depression had hurt all but the top end of the car market.  To stay in business, you needed to sell to the rich who weren't affected by the Depression.  So starting in 1935, the cars were all very expensive, all bodied by coachbuilders, etc.

1935PackardSep 9, 2023

TAKerry, 

There were 2,592 Delahayes produced from 1935-1952, including 1,115 built post-WWII, according to what I have read 

There were also Delahayes built before 1935, but they're very different from the later cars.  it wasn't until 1935 that Delahaye made the stylish cars that you see at concours and the like.  According to Richard Adatto's book, Delahaye: Styling and Design, Delahaye turned to high end cars in 1935 on the thinking that the Depression had hurt all but the top end of the car market.  To stay in business, you needed to sell to the rich who weren't affected by the Depression.  So starting in 1935, the cars were all very expensive, all bodied by coachbuilders, etc.

I think the stylish era started when they bought competitor Delage.

AJ,

Adatto’s book has the company turning to stylish cars and then buying Delage soon after.

Orin……It’s clear to me you will have one of these in your garage sooner or later……..

1935PackardAug 25, 2023

I've mentioned that I like the Pennock-bodied cars, and I found this very interesting resource online: Someone constructed histories of the various known Pennock-bodied Delahayes.  Not all of them, but a lot of them, including how they have changed over time.  Info at the link, and be sure to tell Google to translate it from the original Dutch into English.

https://www.vincentvandervinne.nl/autos-van-delahaye-met-een-carrosserie-van-pennock/

It are expensive cars.

I did body work on these cars.

https://www.classic-trader.com/nl/oldtimer/zoeken/delahaye  these cars are for sale.

Nice Pennock car now offered for sale at BAT: 

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1946-delahaye-135m-cabriolet-by-pennock/

Previous listing at Bonhams in 2015:

https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/22528/lot/389/delahaye-135m-cabriolet-1946/

Video posted by the dealer offering it for sale: 

1935PackardDec 11, 2023

Nice Pennock car now offered for sale at BAT: 

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1946-delahaye-135m-cabriolet-by-pennock/

Previous listing at Bonhams in 2015:

https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/22528/lot/389/delahaye-135m-cabriolet-1946/

Video posted by the dealer offering it for sale: 

I thought of you when that came through my feed last night.   Paint the wheels fender color and throw the whitewalls in a rubber pile and I'll say "not bad!".

1935PackardDec 11, 2023

Nice Pennock car now offered for sale at BAT: 

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1946-delahaye-135m-cabriolet-by-pennock/

Previous listing at Bonhams in 2015:

https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/22528/lot/389/delahaye-135m-cabriolet-1946/

Video posted by the dealer offering it for sale: 

OK...so I gotta ask. Are you bidding? Or is that camp up in the mountains the Boss wants first on the agenda? 

No, 

edinmassDec 12, 2023

OK...so I gotta ask. Are you bidding? Or is that camp up in the mountains the Boss wants first on the agenda? 

No, not bidding.    I really like the Pennock Delahayes, but I am still in the early stage of learning about these cars.   I need to talk to more Delahaye owners, drive one, get more of a feel for what is out there, etc. before deciding if I'm serious about owning one.

Very interested to see what this car will go for, though.

Orin,

I think you need to sit in one.  They are stylish but not big.   We should be able to find one that you could drive first.    It has the preselector which is not rocket science but is different.

1935PackardDec 12, 2023

Very interested to see what this car will go for, though.

I know exactly how much it will cost. HALF………..half the house, half the retirement account, half your paycheck……..if you buy it!

Sorry, sometimes I can’t help myself. 
 

I think over the years I have driven three of them. Although it was just in a parking lot situation. And the ones I played with were not the performance series cars. Fit and finish were nice. The pre selector gearbox was easy to use but I have never seen the advantage or appeal to them. 

edinmassDec 13, 2023

I know exactly how much it will cost. HALF………..half the house, half the retirement account, half your paycheck……..if you buy it!

Sorry, sometimes I can’t help myself. 
 

I think over the years I have driven three of them. Although it was just in a parking lot situation. And the ones I played with were not the performance series cars. Fit and finish were nice. The pre selector gearbox was easy to use but I have never seen the advantage or appeal to them. 

The European version still has floor shift for reverse and neutral.   At least the electric hand and the Cord were fully pre-selector.

Neat topic - as I mentioned in the summer of last year here under this topic, I have at least a half dozen or more b & w period photographs of Delahayes taken in Europe when new by professional photographers of that era . More to be found in the annual show number issue magazine of L'Illustration, issues of Omnia, and La Carrossiere magazine all pre war. But we are in the section of CCCA and I do not participate in that club nor contribute to it any longer after decades of membership and contributions. I was asked to leave because I was not healthy enough to attend events in person some years ago. So indeed did.

alsancleDec 12, 2023

I thought of you when that came through my feed last night.   Paint the wheels fender color and throw the whitewalls in a rubber pile and I'll say "not bad!".

Or... Paint the fenders body color, and throw the white sidewalls away. Even better. High contrast colors are to clown-like, in my opinion.

West PetersonDec 13, 2023

Or... Paint the fenders body color, and throw the white sidewalls away. Even better. High contrast colors are to clown-like, in my opinion.

Well, that would be better for sure.  I was picking the cheap path.

I was picking the second cheapest path...

Agreed that the color scheme doesn't work so well as-is.  It's not original, and I wonder what they were thinking.  Maybe they were drawing inspiration from this Figoni-bodied car, #48667?  Either way, I don't think it worked.

alsancleDec 12, 2023

I think you need to sit in one.  They are stylish but not big.   We should be able to find one that you could drive first.    It has the preselector which is not rocket science but is different.

I've talked to the owner of a '46 coupe who invited me to drive his, which was very generous, although he's on the other side of the country.  Someday I'll get there.

1935PackardDec 14, 2023

Agreed that the color scheme doesn't work so well as-is.  It's not original, and I wonder what they were thinking.  Maybe they were drawing inspiration from this Figoni-bodied car, #48667?  Either way, I don't think it worked.

This would inspire me to paint it differently.

Looking closely at the Delahaye on BAT, it looks not nearly as nice as #47533, the '37 Chapron-bodied car I posted pictures of from the Gooding auction at Pebble at the bottom of Page 1 of the Delahaye forum subject here.  47533 was at Pebble (the show, not the auction) a decade or so ago, and although its been driven since, it was a nice restoration, as far as I can tell.  The one on BAT has worn and faded gauges, and the engine compartment is kinda messy: Some wiring is all over the place, and it has a modern alternator installed and the stone guard missing.   47533 went for $207k, so I would guess market for this BAT car is a decent mark below that.  We'll see. 

Comparison of the engine compartments, BAT car first:

47533 Chapron-bodied car: 

1935PackardSep 10, 2023

AJ,

Adatto’s book has the company turning to stylish cars and then buying Delage soon after.

That is an EXPENSIVE book!!!

But I guess if you own a Delahaye or a Delage, you need a copy!!!     Figoni on Delahaye | Indigo

Craig

The engine turned valve cover is great. Was there a mechanization of the engine turning process?  Same question for Buick dashes of the early 1940s. 

8E45EDec 20, 2023

That is an EXPENSIVE book!!!

Not to somebody who can afford a Delahaye.

8E45EDec 20, 2023

That is an EXPENSIVE book!!!

But I guess if you own a Delahaye or a Delage, you need a copy!!!     Figoni on Delahaye | Indigo

Craig

That link is to a different Adatto book on Delahayes.  I have the one on Delahayes generally, not just Figoni cars

https://www.amazon.com/Delahaye-Styling-Design-Richard-Adatto/dp/1854432214

Although it's expensive, too (currently $168 for a used copy).

alsancleDec 12, 2023

I thought of you when that came through my feed last night.   Paint the wheels fender color and throw the whitewalls in a rubber pile and I'll say "not bad!".

The Pennock Delahaye on BAT bid up to $121K, or $127k with the 5% BAT buyer's premium. 

An interesting question is whether this is market, or just one of those cars that doesn't do well on BAT. Using the Chapron car that sold for $207K as a reference, you might expect this car to go for, guessng here, maybe $50k less, like $160k or so?  But I don't know enough about the Delahaye market to say.  In particular, it seems to me that it's a brand that is unusually focused on show cars; people bring them to concours, and relatively few drive them.  So a Delahaye that needs a lot of work to be shown at a concours may be tough on the market.  But I don't know, this is just my amateurish speculation.  

Walt GDec 13, 2023

Neat topic - as I mentioned in the summer of last year here under this topic, I have at least a half dozen or more b & w period photographs of Delahayes taken in Europe when new by professional photographers of that era . More to be found in the annual show number issue magazine of L'Illustration, issues of Omnia, and La Carrossiere magazine all pre war. But we are in the section of CCCA and I do not participate in that club nor contribute to it any longer after decades of membership and contributions. I was asked to leave because I was not healthy enough to attend events in person some years ago. So indeed did.

I have some magazine of L'illustration too from bigining the 1900 years.

twenty years ago we had  Delage and Delahaye in our body shop for restoration.

1935PackardDec 24, 2023

The Pennock Delahaye on BAT bid up to $121K, or $127k with the 5% BAT buyer's premium. 

An interesting question is whether this is market, or just one of those cars that doesn't do well on BAT. Using the Chapron car that sold for $207K as a reference, you might expect this car to go for, guessng here, maybe $50k less, like $160k or so?  But I don't know enough about the Delahaye market to say.  In particular, it seems to me that it's a brand that is unusually focused on show cars; people bring them to concours, and relatively few drive them.  So a Delahaye that needs a lot of work to be shown at a concours may be tough on the market.  But I don't know, this is just my amateurish speculation.  

Not ugly but not stunning open body.     Number one factor with these cars is the coachwork (as with all prewar Classics) and then condition and provenance.   Also, one sale doesn't make the market, especially an online one.   I would expect this car to do better in a private dealer sales situation or a boutique auction.

alsancleDec 24, 2023

Not ugly but not stunning open body.     Number one factor with these cars is the coachwork (as with all prewar Classics) and then condition and provenance.   Also, one sale doesn't make the market, especially an online one.   I would expect this car to do better in a private dealer sales situation or a boutique auction.

For those interested, I looked around and here are some other Delahaye cabriolets by Pennock that were sold at auction recently (incidentally, the car looks so much better in a single color-- I especially like the very dark second one):  

1.  https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/26811/lot/422/1948-delahaye-type-135m-three-position-drophead-coupe-chassis-no-800843/

800843,   sold in the UK in 2021 at Bonhams for $211,000 in the 2021 dollar to pound conversion rate.

2.  800532, sold in 2022 in France for about $230,000 using then-current U.S. to euro conversion rate (although that was in a lot of flux in 2022).

https://www.aguttes.com/en/lot/120481/17497976-1946-delahaye-cabriolet-135-ms

https://listings.worldwideauctioneers.com/product/1949-delahaye-135m-cabriolet/

Coachwork by Chapron

1949 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet

Well-documented and authenticated by President of Club Delahaye, Jean-Paul Tissot

Recipient of an older high-quality nut and bolt restoration by Chapron

Desirable numbers-matching 110-HP triple-carbureted engine and Cotal gearbox

One of just a handful of examples bodied in Chapron's distinctive long-nose style

alsancleDec 27, 2023

https://listings.worldwideauctioneers.com/product/1949-delahaye-135m-cabriolet/

Coachwork by Chapron

1949 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet

Well-documented and authenticated by President of Club Delahaye, Jean-Paul Tissot

Recipient of an older high-quality nut and bolt restoration by Chapron

Desirable numbers-matching 110-HP triple-carbureted engine and Cotal gearbox

One of just a handful of examples bodied in Chapron's distinctive long-nose style

Sold for $123K at RM last year, I assume because the front end is not attractive.   I wonder if the new buyer bought it with the plan to flip it.   It's nice with the exception of that front, but the front of car is a pretty big deal, especially on a Delahaye. 

https://www.oldtimers-te-koop.be/delahaye-oldtimer-autos

https://www.prewarcar.nl/cars/delahaye/frans

https://nl.leparking.be/tweedehands-auto/delahaye.html

https://www.leboncoin.fr/offre/voitures/2480443205

https://www.leboncoin.fr/offre/voitures/2479273538

https://www.leboncoin.fr/offre/voitures/2433284551

https://www.leboncoin.fr/offre/voitures/2450306809

A few cars for sale.

demco32Jan 21, 2024

https://www.oldtimers-te-koop.be/delahaye-oldtimer-autos

https://www.prewarcar.nl/cars/delahaye/frans

https://nl.leparking.be/tweedehands-auto/delahaye.html

https://www.leboncoin.fr/offre/voitures/2480443205

https://www.leboncoin.fr/offre/voitures/2479273538

https://www.leboncoin.fr/offre/voitures/2433284551

https://www.leboncoin.fr/offre/voitures/2450306809

A few cars for sale.

This is interesting. But it seems like they didn’t quite get the windshield right.

alsancleJan 21, 2024

This is interesting. But it seems like they didn’t quite get the windshield right.

Le bon coin is in France 

France is a big country and there are still antique cars to be found.

Like in the usa , repairs are not always done correct.

1935PackardJan 21, 2024

Sold for $123K at RM last year, I assume because the front end is not attractive.   I wonder if the new buyer bought it with the plan to flip it.   It's nice with the exception of that front, but the front of car is a pretty big deal, especially on a Delahaye. 

I think it's really attractive. Not sure what you see that is unpleasant.

Certainly much more attractive than this deep-sea-looking monstrosity. 

West PetersonJan 22, 2024

I think it's really attractive. Not sure what you see that is unpleasant.

Certainly much more attractive than this deep-sea-looking monstrosity. 

Eye of the beholder.

West PetersonJan 22, 2024

I think it's really attractive. Not sure what you see that is unpleasant.

Certainly much more attractive than this deep-sea-looking monstrosity. 

I don't think the "narwhal" Delahayes are attractive, either!  I've assumed there is some sort of high-end world where it being a wild Figoni design makes it okay.  

Least expensive Delahaye auction price, at least of a running car?  Looks to be about $50,000.

https://auctions.artcurial.com/auction-lot/1951-delahaye-135-m-coach-gascogne-par-dubos-no-r_37D4E76979

I take it the catch with this '46 135M is that the bodymaker is unknown, which I assume means it may not have been originally bodied this way.   As the catalog puts it, "It wears striking coupé coachwork, the builder of which is not factually known, but has been surmised by some to be of Dutch origin. Although there is nothing to categorically attribute it, perhaps one day further research will quantify this, in any respect it is an appealing aerodynamic coupe in keeping with styling of the immediate pre and post war era, with a number of key features such as side mouldings and finned boot lid." 

But what a great looking car. No reserve auction in France with an estimate of $175k-$275K, went for only $117,000.    Man, at that price, that's a sweet deal.  Altough maybe among Delahaye people, not knowing who bodied it is such a big deal that this is what happens.  Don't know. 

https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/29216/lot/149/1946-delahaye-135-m-coupe-chassis-no-800311/

1935PackardFeb 6, 2024

I take it the catch with this '46 135M is that the bodymaker is unknown, which I assume means it may not have been originally bodied this way.   As the catalog puts it, "It wears striking coupé coachwork, the builder of which is not factually known, but has been surmised by some to be of Dutch origin. Although there is nothing to categorically attribute it, perhaps one day further research will quantify this, in any respect it is an appealing aerodynamic coupe in keeping with styling of the immediate pre and post war era, with a number of key features such as side mouldings and finned boot lid." 

But what a great looking car. No reserve auction in France with an estimate of $175k-$275K, went for only $117,000.    Man, at that price, that's a sweet deal.  Altough maybe among Delahaye people, not knowing who bodied it is such a big deal that this is what happens.  Don't know. 

https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/29216/lot/149/1946-delahaye-135-m-coupe-chassis-no-800311/

A car that striking should have a period photograph.  I think your reading of the auction description and the result is probably accurate.

Can't be too hard to figure it out........that car should have been in your garage. Looks nice. 

edinmassFeb 6, 2024

Can't be too hard to figure it out........that car should have been in your garage. Looks nice. 

In 2018, it no-saled at Bonhams with a $450k to $550k estimate, with at least partially different paint and a more confident claim that it was bodied by Van Leersum.  And it looks like someone was either confident enough, or maybe more accurately, wantws others to be confident enough, that they put the coachbuilder's tag on it (in green).  Hmm, wonder what the real story is here. 

https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/24811/lot/95/1946-delahaye-135m-coupechassis-no-800311/

alsancleFeb 6, 2024

A car that striking should have a period photograph.  I think your reading of the auction description and the result is probably accurate.

 Here's a very interesting thread starting in 2009 on the history of Van Leersum Delahayes,much of which is about what to make of this particular car.   

https://www.coachbuild.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=186

Two more Delahayes at BAT.  This '38 coupe by Chapron outside Paris was up last week but didn't sell.   And the blue '46 Guillore coupe that sold for $98K at Monterey in 2022 is now up at BAT.  I wouldn't think BAT is a good place to sell these cars. But maybe it's easy enough to try that sellers figure it's worth a shot, even if only to advertise the car? 

UPDATE: The '46 Guillore has sold on BAT for $92K, plus I assume the 5% buyer's premium, so that's a total of $96.6, almost exactly what it sold for two years ago.

Orin,

This car was fantastic in person.  Older restoration but the photos don't do it justice with how cool it is in person.

https://bid.goodingco.com/lots/view/1-8MNOGO/1948-delahaye-type-135-ms-cabriolet

lease note that according to a noted marque authority, this Delahaye 135 MS Cabriolet is one of a series of just nine examples built to the highly desirable "Vedette" specification, which included a cockpit designed primarily for two, refined grille design, and other sporting details. It is believed to be one of as few as four in existence and, of those, the sole unrestored example remaining.

Beautifully Preserved, Stunningly Proportioned, Largely Unrestored Example
Desirable Three-Carburetor, 130 BHP MS Specification
Derived from Monte Carlo- and Le Mans-Winning 135 Race Cars
Part of The Mullin Collection Since 2000
Offered with Fascinating File of Early Correspondence

3,557 CC OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Three Solex 40PAI Downdraft Carburetors
130 BHP at 4,000 RPM
4-Speed Cotal Pre-Selector Gearbox
4-Wheel Cable-Operated Drum Brakes
Front Independent Suspension with Transverse Leaf Spring
Rear Live Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs

alsancleMar 4, 2024

Orin,

This car was fantastic in person.  Older restoration but the photos don't do it justice with how cool it is in person.

https://bid.goodingco.com/lots/view/1-8MNOGO/1948-delahaye-type-135-ms-cabriolet

lease note that according to a noted marque authority, this Delahaye 135 MS Cabriolet is one of a series of just nine examples built to the highly desirable "Vedette" specification, which included a cockpit designed primarily for two, refined grille design, and other sporting details. It is believed to be one of as few as four in existence and, of those, the sole unrestored example remaining.

Beautifully Preserved, Stunningly Proportioned, Largely Unrestored Example
Desirable Three-Carburetor, 130 BHP MS Specification
Derived from Monte Carlo- and Le Mans-Winning 135 Race Cars
Part of The Mullin Collection Since 2000
Offered with Fascinating File of Early Correspondence

3,557 CC OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Three Solex 40PAI Downdraft Carburetors
130 BHP at 4,000 RPM
4-Speed Cotal Pre-Selector Gearbox
4-Wheel Cable-Operated Drum Brakes
Front Independent Suspension with Transverse Leaf Spring
Rear Live Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs

As I walked through the "French tent", actually all five tents, this is the car that I would have wanted to take home.

West PetersonMar 9, 2024

As I walked through the "French tent", actually all five tents, this is the car that I would have wanted to take home.

I see you have the same excellent taste that I have.

alsancleFeb 6, 2024

A car that striking should have a period photograph.  I think your reading of the auction description and the result is probably accurate.

the models 148L (long chassis, 90 hp), 135M (short chassis, 110 hp) and 135MS (short chassis, 130 hp). Almost all chassis went to the Pennock bodywork factory in The Hague, to be fitted with a body. Most of these were designed by Cees Akkermans.

1935PackardFeb 7, 2024

In 2018, it no-saled at Bonhams with a $450k to $550k estimate, with at least partially different paint and a more confident claim that it was bodied by Van Leersum.  And it looks like someone was either confident enough, or maybe more accurately, wantws others to be confident enough, that they put the coachbuilder's tag on it (in green).  Hmm, wonder what the real story is here. 

https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/24811/lot/95/1946-delahaye-135m-coupechassis-no-800311/

It's a shame about the baby-shit brown color they added. It looked soooo much better as a one-color car.

West PetersonMar 12, 2024

It's a shame about the baby-shit brown color they added. It looked soooo much better as a one-color car.

It was added by the time of the 2018 auction, although since made a one-color car (as it was in the latest auction).  Agree with you, though, it looks better in one color. 

1946 Delahaye 135M by Worblaufen, 800319, doesn't sell across the block at Worldwide Auctioneers (see here at 5:16, bid up to $170k) but several sites are saying it went for $185k, which I assume is without buyer's premium.  Not sure of that, but that's the report.

This was being offered at Hyman for a while with a stated asking price of $389k.  Link to Hyman's pictures: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/this-1946-delahaye-135-is-a-forgotten-post-war-luxury-gem-a-real-piece-of-french-history-201003.html

Not sure, but I think a challenge here is that the Worblaufen cars may not be the most attractive in the front because the headlights are usually quite high.  They usually look like this: 

As I recall the advertisement from Hyman (which is now down), the headlights were moved down in the restoration and the car was otherwise restyled a bit to make it flashier.   Don't know if that is the explanation for the auction result, but given what looks like a quality restoration, that under $200k seems like a very good deal (or maybe a sign of the market, I don't know).

Orin,

There is always a problem when you mix countries on the chassis and coach builder. Well, maybe not always but in this case the German body on the French car does not help it sell.

alsancleMay 2, 2024

Orin,

There is always a problem when you mix countries on the chassis and coach builder. Well, maybe not always but in this case the German body on the French car does not help it sell.

I get that the Worblaufen bodies can be awkward, but this one as redone (with headlights lowered, chrome added, etc.) looks pretty nice, I think.   A few more photos: 

Maybe the lesson is that Delahayes that were "redone" to make an awkward car less awkward — and staid car flashy — are not currently so much in demand?  Just from the standpoint of trying to understand the market, this seemed like a surprising result.

Orin,  I agree that it looks pretty good.  But modifications done outside of period cut both ways.

BTW, here's a saved copy of the Hyman web page on the car -- looks like they first offered it for sale in 2021.  

https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6944-1946-delahaye-135m-drophead-coupe-by-worblaufen/" rel="external nofollow">https://web.archive.org/web/20210725180248/https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6944-1946-delahaye-135m-drophead-coupe-by-worblaufen/

From the ad: 
 

Quote

According to Club Delahaye historians, chassis number 800319 is one of nine Worblaufen-bodied Delahayes known to survive. While the earliest history it not known, it was likely sold to a Swiss owner considering the choice of coachwork. In the early 1990s, it was owned by known marque enthusiast James Brandy of Oakdale, Pennsylvania. He placed an advert in a French newspaper listing the car for sale, with photos showing it in unrestored but complete condition. It was subsequently restored in an American restoration shop for a Mr. John McDonald, who traded it to the most recent owner in the late 1990s.

As offered, it is in lovely condition with a well preserved restoration. Some subtle alterations were made to the design during its restoration, with notable elements including low-mounted Marchal headlamps, rear wheel spats, and polished body side trim. These touches were inspired by similar Worblaufen designs used on Alfa Romeo chassis and highlight its graceful, curvaceous lines. Gorgeous ventilated wheel covers and black wall tires provide the perfect finishing touch to this sporting grande routière. 

Thought I would put up a post with the Delahaye offerings at the Monterey auctions.  I'll update it over time as more cars are added.  

RM: 

1938 135M Cabriolet by Chapron, 

https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/mo24/lots/r0118-1938-delahaye-135-m-cabriolet-by-chapron/

1953 178 Cabriolet by Chapron

https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/mo24/lots/r0007-1953-delahaye-178-cabriolet-by-chapron/

Gooding: 

1948 135M Coupe by Chapron

https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1948-delahaye-135m-coupe/

Broad Arrow: 

1946 135 M Cabriolet by Graber

https://www.broadarrowauctions.com/vehicles/jc24_r126/1946-delahaye-135-m-graber-cabriolet

I might have missed others, but I spotted only two Delahayes on the showfield at Pebble today: 

Loved talking with you there, Orin.

I think I mentioned to you that my brother bought the blue Chapron cabriolet on Friday night. He appeared to be the only bidder. It was a heck of a deal, considering that the previous owner claimed to have over a half-million dollars invested in it. Restored by a marque specialist, who also set it up for reliable touring with the high-performance (racing) MS equipment. It had been in the Evert Louman museum in Holland (one of the best in the world) before it was restored. After restoration, it was shown at the prestigious Ville d'Esta Concours d'Elegance in Italy.

West PetersonAug 21, 2024

Loved talking with you there, Orin.

I think I mentioned to you that my brother bought the blue Chapron cabriolet on Friday night. He appeared to be the only bidder. It was a heck of a deal, considering that the previous owner claimed to have over a half-million dollars invested in it. Restored by a marque specialist, who also set it up for reliable touring with the high-performance (racing) MS equipment. It had been in the Evert Louman museum in Holland (one of the best in the world) before it was restored. After restoration, it was shown at the prestigious Ville d'Esta Concours d'Elegance in Italy.

Beautiful car that caught my eye from some online coverage. Congratulations to your brother. 

West PetersonAug 21, 2024

Loved talking with you there, Orin.

I think I mentioned to you that my brother bought the blue Chapron cabriolet on Friday night. He appeared to be the only bidder. It was a heck of a deal, considering that the previous owner claimed to have over a half-million dollars invested in it. Restored by a marque specialist, who also set it up for reliable touring with the high-performance (racing) MS equipment. It had been in the Evert Louman museum in Holland (one of the best in the world) before it was restored. After restoration, it was shown at the prestigious Ville d'Esta Concours d'Elegance in Italy.

It was great finally meeting you too, West.  Your brother bought a great car!   I really like the Chapron cabriolets. 

1935PackardMay 2, 2024

1946 Delahaye 135M by Worblaufen, 800319, doesn't sell across the block at Worldwide Auctioneers (see here at 5:16, bid up to $170k) but several sites are saying it went for $185k, which I assume is without buyer's premium.  Not sure of that, but that's the report.

This was being offered at Hyman for a while with a stated asking price of $389k.  Link to Hyman's pictures: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/this-1946-delahaye-135-is-a-forgotten-post-war-luxury-gem-a-real-piece-of-french-history-201003.html

Not sure, but I think a challenge here is that the Worblaufen cars may not be the most attractive in the front because the headlights are usually quite high.  They usually look like this: 

As I recall the advertisement from Hyman (which is now down), the headlights were moved down in the restoration and the car was otherwise restyled a bit to make it flashier.   Don't know if that is the explanation for the auction result, but given what looks like a quality restoration, that under $200k seems like a very good deal (or maybe a sign of the market, I don't know).

I would not buy a car from this seller

Just viewing this now. Most of the cars shown have unfortunate color choice /applications of a modern "wow, flash looka me" that is totally  unnecessary. The stylist/coach builders wanted you to see their artistry not the bang wow colors. Not all cars were moderate or conservative in color -especially those sold in warmer climates but the coach builder wanted you to see their sculptures in metal that were mounted on a rolling platform - wheels.  My views are based on 50+ years of teaching art, talking to designers/.builders of that era, and also the research I have been able to do in publications/periodicals/photographs taken in that pre WWII era . This is still going on , I am not an "expert" never will be but perhaps due to my art/historian back ground view things a bit differently. "art in the blood is liable to take the strangest forms" Sherlock Holmes to John Watson in The Greek Interpreter.

Walt provides sorely needed perspective in this day of wholly out of character circus wagon colors.   Without a sociological treatise, some of this may be because many of today's owners were born into wealth, so never troubled themselves with a comprehensive education of range.  Other owners are craftsmen, mechanics, machinists who though skilled,  are not steeped in knowledge of the tenor of the times; the art, color, tastes of their cars' era.   They might be able to tell you to the last lock washer  h o w  a given car built,  but not  w h y.

 This clown car/look at me/auction hue mentality is one of three things that have reduced this hobby.  The others are, though understandable given modern paints and coatings and a tendency to gild the lily,  the replacement of the genuine concours d' elegance in which cars judged solely on line, form, design, presence, perhaps driven through rain the night before, parked on the hotel's grounds with a bit of mud still clinging to their tire treads,  with today's janitorial d' non-elegance.   The other is venerating a handful of cars sans perspective, notably Duesenberg J, Mercedes 500/540K, Packard Twelve,  underscoring a paucity of knowledge of the vast field.  This narrow view has second-tiered many other notable offerings.

  Unfortunately for historic accuracy, understatement, relaxed elegance, Walt's comments will remain as Greek to the very who should heed them.

Walt, Su8overdrive, 

The question of color and chrome accents on Delahayes is a very interesting one.   My sense is that there was a set of dealers and restorers that "gussied up" some Delahayes to make them more flashy, trying to bring to mind some of the wilder Delahaye designs like those from Figoni & Falaschi or Saoutchik that tend to sell as 7 figure cars.   Presumably this was sought after in the Concours circuit, where the wow factor was valued—or at least just for the resale market. 

In this regard, Dr. Vincent van der Vinne has done an invaluable service in documenting the Delahaye 135s that were bodied by Pennock, the Dutch coachbuilder, mostly right after WW2.   He surveys all the known existing Pennock cars, comparing how they looked when new (where pictures are available) to how they look today.  Definitely worth checking out his report, although be sure to have Google translate the Dutch into English: https://www.vincentvandervinne.nl/autos-van-delahaye-met-een-carrosserie-van-pennock/

For example, here are Dr. van der Vinne's before and after photos of three cars.  First, body #60161: 

Here's another comparison, car #800662

And finally, 8000692: 

When I was the head of the Architectural Review Board that I started for the village (my family has resided in for a century)  to owners who came in to have approved huge modifications for convenience because " they owned the house " now after they recently moved into our village. I said " If you have a neighbor across the street that owns and English tudor style house of stucco, brick and wood framing that shows the style of that particular  design and that owner paints the stucco pink, the boards orange and the brick yellow with red window frames how would you feel? They reacted oh that is terrible - I then stated " so what they would do is horrible but what you propose because it is yours is ok???

I was not the most popular person at that meeting that we heard several times over and over again by assorted homeowners and then did not . I also with some architect friends who worked for major architectural companies in NY City wrote laws to guide what could and couldn't be acceptable. After 20 + years that law still stands.

I hope all reading this can see the correlation between the comments on car colors and architecture.

Walt GAug 23, 2024

When I was the head of the Architectural Review Board that I started for the village (my family has resided in for a century)  to owners who came in to have approved huge modifications for convenience because " they owned the house " now after they recently moved into our village. I said " If you have a neighbor across the street that owns and English tudor style house of stucco, brick and wood framing that shows the style of that particular  design and that owner paints the stucco pink, the boards orange and the brick yellow with red window frames how would you feel? They reacted oh that is terrible - I then stated " so what they would do is horrible but what you propose because it is yours is ok???

I was not the most popular person at that meeting that we heard several times over and over again by assorted homeowners and then did not . I also with some architect friends who worked for major architectural companies in NY City wrote laws to guide what could and couldn't be acceptable. After 20 + years that law still stands.

I hope all reading this can see the correlation between the comments on car colors and architecture.

With great respect, Walt, I confess that I'm personally not so much a fan of architectural review boards that legally prevent homeowners from improving their property. In my town, for example, a lot of people live in houses with drafty old windows because the town will not approve people getting new windows unless they hire craftsmen to exactly reproduce the original custom wood windows exactly as they were originally made— which costs over $10,000 per window to make, and which few can afford.  People complain that they're stuck in drafty houses and could save a lot on energy costs if they could just buy modern efficient replacement windows inexpensively, but the town review board does not like the look and feel of modern windows so it forbids homeowners replacing their old windows with that.  So people sit in their drafty houses in order to comply with the dictates of the architectural review board.  

All of that said—and to bring it back to cars— all other things being equal, I actually like some of the gussied up designs on Delahayes.  Some of them go too far, sure.  But I think some of them look great.  I take them to be inspired by the designs from Figoni and the like that did these flashy things when new, so it's not like the idea of flash is new to the model of car—it's jut that some coachbuilders were more flashy, and others more sedate.  As a potential Delahaye buyer, the lack of originality is a minus to me, but I can see why they did this. All just matters of taste, of course!  But I think Delahayes take the extra color and flash better than most other designs.  So I guess I'm glad there is no government review board that forbids an owner's updates when it comes to cars.

I will keep my comments to focus on cars from now on , not try to relate it to other subjects. But will end this with that each situation in every town or village is different circumstances. The Victorian homes with drafty windows here are gone because they were torn down to allow new high ranch houses be built on the large property before any laws etc  . The Review board was started because inappropriate window style ( no muntins - large expanses of blank glass,  not even fake muntins to make it appear to blend in with the rest of the structure) solid plastic doors with no 4 or 6 panels to loose the blank "plain" look, and white vinyl everything which also did not compliment the structure  etc etc. all the reasons and all who applied for changes were advised of what and where to go to obtain their needs at the lowest possible cost. I told them "" if you do what you want and then decide you have to relocate within a short period of time even years , the neighbors all get to look at what you have done for your " needs/style" they understood that it wasn't just to have a "Power over all" of their decision but was for the entire good of future residents..... But I guess we are wrong to think that.

Walt GAug 23, 2024

 I also with some architect friends who worked for major architectural companies in NY City wrote laws to guide what could and couldn't be acceptable. After 20 + years that law still stands.

And I expect it will still be law generations after we are dead. Once an individual liberty is given away, it is very hard to retrieve.

All just matters of taste, but this looks like a good deal at the Broad Arrow auction: the '46 cabriolet by Graber went for $240K. 

https://www.broadarrowauctions.com/vehicles/jc24_r126/1946-delahaye-135-m-graber-cabriolet

Here it is at Pebble in 2022 in the Graber class.  Quite a beautiful car, I think.

ScottJonNov 9, 2024

I purchased this 135M from Europe,  it is a Henri CHAPRON body 1938 model.     Not a concours winner but some minor blemishes that I’ll have fixed this year.  

Beautiful!

kar3516Nov 9, 2024

Beautiful!

Thank you very much

I recently purchased this 1949 135M.  It is bodied by Guilloré’. Estérel body.  At one point it was owned by the AACA Museum in Hershey, Pa. 
 

Does it perhaps tell you something that Delahayes are invariably no more than lawn ornaments?   Some Pierce-Arrows, Packards, Railtons and dozens others are oft arresting, but driven.

Su8overdriveDec 10, 2024

no more than lawn ornaments

Love it!  Pertaining to other marques as well.  I'm referring to restoring a car (read: expensively) to a condition "too good to drive."  But that's one legitimate portion of the hobby, and I'm on the other (driving, touring) side.

ScottJonDec 10, 2024

I recently purchased this 1949 135M.  It is bodied by Guilloré’. Estérel body.  At one point it was owned by the AACA Museum in Hershey, Pa. 
 

 Beautiful!  Really lovely design.  Is that 801339? 

Su8overdriveDec 10, 2024

Does it perhaps tell you something that Delahayes are invariably no more than lawn ornaments?   Some Pierce-Arrows, Packards, Railtons and dozens others are oft arresting, but driven.

This a a stronger version of your thoughts upthread from mid-2023.   But I suppose I would pose the question to the Delahaye owners, including some who have joined us up on the thread.  I think we all agree that many Delahayes are beautiful cars to look at.   But what's it like owning and (most importantly) driving them?  Any thoughts on that would be very welcome. 

1935PackardDec 22, 2024

This a a stronger version of your thoughts upthread from mid-2023.   But I suppose I would pose the question to the Delahaye owners, including some who have joined us up on the thread.  I think we all agree that many Delahayes are beautiful cars to look at.   But what's it like owning and (most importantly) driving them?  Any thoughts on that would be very welcome. 

The Delahaye is great fun to drive, it has a cotal 4 speed that is super smooth and easy since it is right off the steering wheel.   The biggest problem i have is where to park it so it is safe when we stop for lunch or other activities.  We are lucky because we live in Southern California so once or twice a a month it is a magnificent drive through the canyons and up Pacific Coast Highway by Malibu.  All of my cars get driven.

1935PackardDec 22, 2024

 Beautiful!  Really lovely design.  Is that 801339? 

Yes, it is 801339,  this is the car that was in the AACA Museum Hershey a few years ago

1935PackardDec 22, 2024

 Beautiful!  Really lovely design.  Is that 801339? 

1935Packard,  how do you know the car? 801339

i was happy to see your note with the chassis number

ScottJonDec 26, 2024

1935Packard,  how do you know the car? 801339

i was happy to see your note with the chassis number

I don't know the car personally.  I just try to follow Delahayes, and I had seen and admired the auction description. 

1935PackardDec 29, 2024

I don't know the car personally.  I just try to follow Delahayes, and I had seen and admired the auction description. 

The car has more frequent travel miles than a lot of people.   It started in France, came to the west last of US in the 80’s, rhen to the East coast,then back to France, and now back to the West coast,USA

It's interesting, I have  read that the Jaguar XK120 design was influenced by French cars.  You can certainly see a resemblance here!

1935PackardDec 29, 2024

It's interesting, I have  read that the Jaguar XK120 design was influenced by French cars.  You can certainly see a resemblance here!

I agree completely, I LOVE the XK120/140 (not as much on the 150). French coach builders took such care and attention to the finished product.  my car is called the “Esterel” from Guillore.   It is named after the l’esterel mountains on the French Riviera.  

AJ, looks like the unrestored ‘48 that the Mullin museum sold ended up at the Blackhawk collection.  Saw it this morning.