1948 Delahaye 135 MS

The Delahaye 135 was an automobile that spanned both luxury and sport, finding success in both endeavors. It was a pivotal model built by the French automaker Delahaye, helping it endure the economic hardships of the 1930s and catapulting the company to the forefront of the international motorsport competition scene.

Measured by either yardstick - motorsports accomplishments or sales figures - the Type 135 was the company's most successful car, with around 2,600 examples built, including 1,155 of the 135 MS variants featuring three-carburetor setups.

Delahaye
The Delahaye Company was founded in Tours, France, in 1894 by Émile Delahaye, an amateur racer who built competitive sports cars. Following significant racing success and upon Émile's retirement, the automaker turned its attention to building utilitarian commercial vehicles.

Despite the economic hardships of the 1930s, the company returned to its competitive roots in 1933 via insistence by Mme. Desmarais, one of Delahaye's shareholders. Victory at the International Alpine Trial of 1935 spurred the development of the Type 135, also known as the 'Coupe de Alpes.'

After six decades of nearly continuous production, Delahaye was acquired by Hotchkiss in 1954 and immediately ceased operation.

Delahaye Type 135
Delahaye unveiled the Type 135 in 1934 at the Paris Auto Salon, and unlike the earlier and related Type 138 that was introduced the previous year, the 135 rested on a lowered chassis. (Additionally, the Type 138 had a longer 124-inch wheelbase than the 116-inch wheelbase platform of the Type 135). Beneath the long and graceful bonnet was a 3.2-liter straight-six engine that used a pair of Solex carburetors to produce nearly 100 horsepower. The sporting version was dubbed the 135 MS (for Modifiée Speciale) and was supplied with triple carburetors and power output that ranged from 120 to 160 horsepower.

The low-slung chassis lent itself to elegant, modern, and sporty coachwork with many bodies created by the great French coachbuilders of the era, such as Henri Chapron, Joseph Figoni, Marius Franay, Alphonse Guilloré, and Jaques Saoutchik. The coachwork of the Type 135 was often masterpieces of proportion and refinement, perfectly complimenting the capabilities of the low-slung chassis.

Mechanical Specification
The Type 135 rested on a 116-inch wheelbase and was suspended via an independent, leaf-sprung front suspension with a live rear axle. It rode on 17-inch spoked wheels and braking was via cable-operated Bendix brakes. Transmission options included a partially synchronized four-speed manual or four-speed Cotal pre-selector transmission. The Cotal unit was frequently fitted to race variants, as drivers preferred its capability for foot-activated mid-corner shifts, freeing up both hands to control the steering wheel.

Engine
The engine powering the Type 135 was derived from the company's truck engines. It displaced 3,227cc (3.2 liters) and had overhead valves and a four-bearing crankshaft. The Type 135 had a pair of carburetors, while the Type 138 used a single carburetor. The engine produced 76 hp with a single carburetor, 95 horsepower in twin carburetor form, and 110 bhp with three downdraught Solex carburetors.

A larger displacement engine became available in 1936, measuring 3,557cc with output ranging from 90 to 160 hp depending on carburetion and configuration. In this guise and known as the Type 135M, it was largely similar to the regular Type 135, and its less sporty, longer wheelbase counterpart was known as the Type 148. This longer variant had a 3,150mm wheelbase, or 3,350mm in seven-seater configuration.

Produced through 1954, several variants were available over the years, in both 3.2- and 3.6-liter form, and with a variety of carburetion configurations.

Postwar Production
Following the liberation of Paris in 1944, Delahaye production initially concentrated on truck production. In 1946, a mildly updated Type 135 resumed production. Styling revisions included a distinctive radiator grille and hood penned by young freelance designer Philippe Charbonneaux. The Type 135 continued to rely on the simple but effective independent front suspension layout and 'Bloctube' welded box-section chassis. The self-adjusting cable brakes were reliable, albeit old-fashioned, in an era when most cars had hydraulic braking.

Production of the Type 135 ceased in 1954 following the company's acquisition by Hotchkiss.

Competition
The Type 135 most aptly suited for motorsport competition was the Type 135MS, with wheelbase sizes of either 2.70m or 2.95m and with engines producing upwards of 160 horsepower.

Among the successes achieved by the Type 135 were victories at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1937 and 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1938. The latter was achieved by Chaboud and Trémoulet at the wheel, with two other Delahayes placing second and fourth.

A regular Type 135 placed seventh at Le Mans in 1935, and a 135MS placed second and third at the 1937 event. A pair of 135MS placed sixth and eighth place finishes at the 1939 Le Mans race. After World War II, the 135MS placed 5th, 9th, and 10th.

At the 1936 French Sports Car Grand Prix at Montlhéry, the Type 135s finished 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 11th and 12th.

The success of the Type 135 has been attributed to its reliable and potent engine, balanced handling, and slender form.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2008