Delahaye 135
Delahaye 135 was an automobile manufactured by Delahaye. Designed by young engineer Jean François, it was produced from 1935 until 1954 in many different body styles. A sporting tourer, it was also popular for racing.
History[]
The Delahaye 135, also known as "Coupe des Alpes" after its success in the Alpine Rally, was first presented in 1935 and signified Delahaye's decision to build sportier cars than before. The 3.2-litre, four-bearing overhead valve straight-six was derived from one of Delahaye's truck engines and was also used in the more sedate, longer wheelbase (3,160 mm/124 in) Delahaye 138. Power was 95 hp (71 kW) in twin carburetor form, but 110 hp (82 kW) were available in a version with three downdraught Solex carbs, offering a 148 km/h (92 mph) top speed. The 138 had a single carburetor and 76 hp (57 kW), and was also available in a sportier 90 hp (67 kW) iteration.
The 135 featured independent, leaf-sprung front suspension, a live rear axle, and cable operated Bendix brakes. 17-inch spoke wheels were also standard. Transmission was either a partially synchronized four-speed manual or a four-speed Cotal pre-selector.
The list of independent body suppliers offering to clother the 135 chassis is the list of France's top coach-builders of the time, including Figoni & Falaschi, Letourner & Marchand, Guilloré, Marcel Pourtout, Frères Dubois, J Sautchik, Franay, Antem and Henri Chapron.
Production of the 3.2-litre version ended with the German occupation in 1940 and was not taken up again after the end of hostilities.
Delahaye 135 S, Desplates Roadster, Chassis: 47193 at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, by Wouter Melissen - Ultimatecarpage.com
135 Sport[]
More important for the company's legacy was the launch a year later in 1935 of the Type 135 Sport that shared the six cylinder engine with the 138, but featured a much sportier chassis.
By increasing the bore by four millimetres, the engine's displacement grew to nearly 3.6 litre (3,557 cc) and with it the output to 120 bhp with 3 Solex 44 HD Carburettors.
The competition version with a high compression head produced 152 bhp. This engine was installed in a shorter and even lower chassis.
135M[]
A larger engined (3,557 cc) 135M version was introduced in 1936. Largely the same as the regular 135, the new engine offered 90, 105, or 115 hp with either one, two, or three carburetors. As with the 135/138, a less sporty, longer wheelbase version was also built, called the "148". The 148 had a 3,150 mm wheelbase, or 3,350 mm in a seven-seater version. On the two shorter wheelbases, a Delahaye 134N was also available, with a 2,150 cc four-cylinder version of the 3.2-litre six from the 135. Along with a brief return of the 134, production of 148, 135M, and 135MS models was resumed after the end of the war. The 135 and 148 were then joined by the larger engined 175,178, and 180 derivatives. The 135M continued to be available alongside the newer 235 until the demise of Delahaye in 1954.
168[]
Presented in December 1938 and built until the outbreak of war in 1940 the Type 168 appeared; it used the 148L's chassis and engine (engine code 148N) in Renault Viva Grand Sport bodywork. Wheelbase remained 315 cm while the use of artillery wheels rather than spoked items meant minor differences in track. This curious hybrid was the result of an effort by Renault to steal in on Delahaye's lucrative near monopoly on fire vehicles: after a complaint by Delahaye, Renault relinquished contracts it had gained, but in return Delahaye had to agree to purchase a number of Viva Grand Sport bodyshells. In an effort to limit the market of this cuckoo's egg, thus limiting the number of bodyshells it had to purchase from Renault, Delahaye chose to equip it with the unpopular Wilson preselector (even though the marketing material referred to the Cotal version). This succeeded very well, and with the war putting a stop to car production, no more than thirty were supposedly built. Strong, wide, and fast, like their Viva Grand Sport half sisters, the 168s proved popular with the army. Many were equipped to run on gazogène during the war and very few (if any) remain.
135MS[]
An even sportier version, the 135MS, soon followed. 120-145 hp were available, with competition versions offering over 160 hp. The 135MS was the version most commonly seen in competition, and continued to be available until 1954, when new owners Hotchkiss finally called a halt. The MS had the 2.95 m wheelbase, but competition models sat on a shortened 2.70 m chassis.
The type 235, a rebodied 135MS with ponton-style design by Philippe Charbonneaux, appeared in 1951.
Competition[]
The 135 was successful as racing car during the late 1930s, winning the Monte Carlo rally 1937 and 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1938. The LeMans victory, with Chaboud and Trémoulet at the wheel, was decisive, with two more Delahayes coming in second and fourth. A regular 135 came seventh at the 1935 Le Mans, and in 1937 135MS came in second and third. Appearing again in 1939, two 135MS made it to sixth and eighth place, and again after the war the now venerable 135MS finished in 5th, 9th, and 10th.