Car & Classic Dealer

Artcurial Motorcars

7Rond Point, des Champs Elysées Paris France

1950 Delahaye 135 M cabriolet Estérel - No reserve For Sale by Auction

For sale by auction 13 September 2020 - Collection André Trigano by Artcurial Motorcars

French title
Chassis No 801365
Engine No 801365

- Prestigious model, rare and elegant bodywork
- Restored example
- In the collection for over 40 years
- No reserve

"I bought this car around forty years ago and drove it a lot at a time when I was competing in various rallies, which was very satisfying " explained Andre Trigano. The stature of this car also earned its way at many weddings, including that of Toulouse rugby player Fabien Pelous: captain of the French national rugby team in 2003, he contributed to a record-breaking four "grand slams" for the French team. His father worked for Andre Trigano.
This car is particularly interesting, as it is a cabriolet special edition by Guilloré under the flattering name "Esterel", with very few units produced. An identical example took part at the Enghien-les-Bains concours d'elegance in June 1948, presented by Miss Reach and Prince Troubetzkoy, as pointed out by Jean-Paul Tissot in his Delahaye book. This model has a particularly elegant design with its wave-shaped front wings and rear-tyre covers integrated into a tapered stern. The bumpers are not original, the belt and underseal rods are missing, but the very special door handles are original. Inside, the upholstery has been redone in beige leather in order to keep its original presentation, along with separate front seats and a rear bench with armrests. The dashboard matches the level of finish for this car: speedometer and rev counter are in the middle, which enables the driver to take advantage of additional instruments on his right. On the left side of the streering wheel, a metal arm carries the lever which controls the Cotal electromagnetic gearbox, a system that makes the driving easier and makes it possible to avoid grinds during gear shifts.
Under the bonnet, the in-line 6-cylinder engine is powered by three Solex carburetors, appropriate for the "M" version of this Delahaye 135. This model was an extraordinary success for the brand. This low and elegant car, unveiled at the 1935 Paris Motor Show, came as an innovation with its very solid "Bloctube" chassis, independent front suspension from the 138 and the excellent engine also from the 138, made in two versions: 18hp (3. 2 litres) or 20hp (3. 5 litres) like this particular one. It achieved greatness in motor racing both on track (victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans) and in rally (victory at the Monte Carlo rally), but also at concours d'elegance events. Lending itself very well to the imagination of coachbuilders, this chassis has undoubtedly benefited from the greatest variety of bodywork ever made on the same model. Brilliant but less delicate than a Bugatti 57, the Delahaye 135 was appreciated by an affluent clientele looking for reliability.
The car we are offering is a dazzling example. In its elegant and yet sober bodywork, it will give its future owner the pleasure of an enjoyable drive, a convertible frame, a four-seater interior, an enviable brand and discreet luxury. A rare set of qualities worthy of enthusiasts' attention.


We inform buyers that all the vehicles in the collection have been little used during the last years as they are part of a museum collection. They are sold as presented and therefore require recommissioning before being driven on the public roads.

Estimate: 90 000 - 150 000 €

© Peter Singhof

This advert has now been removed through sale or otherwise.
Please see the list below for similar live adverts.

Similar Adverts

The French automotive company Delahaye was started in 1894 by an industrial engineer Emile Delahaye. He promoted his cars by racing them himself at car events. Emile was born in 1843 and became an automotive pioneer in France. Studying engineering at the Arts et Metiers Paris Tech and started his early career at the Crail ...

62,000
26 Mar 2024
Lincolnshire
Verified Dealer (see stock)

-Unique and striking Skiff coachwork -Recently completed full restoration benefitting from over £35,000 spent -Covered less than 500 miles since restoration French automobile pioneer Emile Delahaye began his career as an engineer and experimenting with steam and internal combustion engines. It wasn’t until 1894 ...

18 Mar 2024
Essex

Unknown to have survived until about two months ago, still with the same family ownership since 1958, this 1952 Delahaye 235 by Antem was participant at 1953 Rallye Monte Carlo driven by Roger Crovetto and Julio Quinlin. During the early 1950’ Dunlop company is developing a new type of tyre and in order to test the ...

999
17 Mar 2024
Czechia
Verified Dealer (see stock)

The Delahaye 135M was first introduced in 1936. The 135M was a variant of the Delahaye 135 that had a larger and more powerful engine. This new 3.6L straight-six engine was offered with single, twin or triple carburettors, with the top-of-the-line engine generating 115bhp. The rear-wheel drive 135M was available in a variety ...

1
13 Mar 2024
Czechia
Verified Dealer (see stock)

The 135CS (Compétition Spéciale) is a true all-rounder, boasting a torquey 3.6 litre straight six engine and independent front suspension. Soundly engineered, the reliability of this Delahaye masterpiece in combination with its performance, gave the car a formidable reputation. With deeply beautiful coachwork, only 17 ...

12 Mar 2024
Lancashire
Verified Dealer (see stock)

The 135 series was introduced at Paris Salon in 1935 and it quickly became a sharp competitor on a racing circuits. Its driving performance are also today very impressive. The car took the first six places at the 1936 Grand Prix automobile de Marseille, a second at Le Mans in 1937 and first, second and fourth place at ...

2 Mar 2024
Czechia
Verified Dealer (see stock)

This Delahaye 135 MS Worblaufen convertible has an exceptional appearance. It is not only the sporty body lines and sloping grille, but also the art deco shapes, the color choice of the paint, the interior, the remarkable dashboard with the transparent three-spoke steering wheel and the transparently designed buttons that ...

75,558
29 Feb 2024
Netherlands

Rare 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Figoni-Patented Disappearing Top Convertible Figoni et Falaschi, Paris Chassis No. 46864 Engine No. 46864 .This is the 1936 "Talk of Paris" car, the beginning of the famed Figoni Streamlined Elegance Era, an objet d'art Piece Unique, one of one, Figoni streamlined design #581 .One ...

15,704
29 Feb 2024
United States
Private

The all-new Type 135 range was first shown to the public at the 1935 Paris Auto Salon, with both competition and road cars announced. Race versions featured a larger and more powerful inline-six paired with a shorter and lower chassis than the road car. Referred to as the Compétition Spéciale, they were fitted with a ...

13 Feb 2024
Essex