1948 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet by Chapron 135

This 1948 Delahaye 135M is a Chapron-bodied cabriolet that was ordered on March 1, 1948 by a manager of distilleries in Normandy and Brittany, France. The car was acquired in 1963 by an architect, who after three years hired a shop to deliver it to a salvage yard. The shop owner instead chose to have the car fixed and returned to the road. After a period of unknown history, it was acquired in a state of disrepair in 2009 by the current owner, who commissioned a restoration that was completed in 2012. Refinished in cream with a tan interior and tan soft top, the car is powered by a 3,557cc OHV inline-six equipped with triple Solex carburetors and paired with a Cotal four-speed preselector gearbox. This Delahaye cabriolet has been driven 1,500 kilometers since completion of the restoration and is now offered on dealer consignment in Belmont-de-la-Loire, France with early historical documents, photos from the restoration, and current French registration. The 135 model was introduced in 1935, followed the next year by the larger-engined 135 Modifie variant. The chassis of either model could be outfitted with its purchaser’s choice of bodywork from among France’s top carrosseries. Chassis number 801025 was ordered with coachwork from Henri Chapron, originally finished in Gris Lumière with Bleu Dauphin fender accents and a blue soft top. Plates affixed to each rear quarter panel show Chapron body #6579. During the 2009-2012 restoration the body was disassembled and removed from the chassis, and the structural wood framework was replaced. The exterior was repainted in cream, and a new brown Mohair top was installed on a rebuilt top frame that can be set in three positions: fully open, fully closed, or rear-seat covered only. Factory Marchal headlights were retained, along with grille-mounted fog lamps. 17” wire wheels feature two-eared knock-offs and wear Firestone tires. Suspension includes an independent front setup with a transverse leaf spring, as well as a live rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs. Double-acting shock absorbers are utilized all around, and braking is handled mechanically by drums at each corner. Originally trimmed in blue, the interior was reupholstered during the restoration with new tan leather over the seats, door panels, and dash face, as well as new beige carpeting with leather piping. Wood trim on the dash and door caps was reconditioned. A three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel is situated on the right-hand side. OS instrumentation includes a 160-km/h speedometer and a 5k-rpm tachometer. The five-digit odometer shows approximately 1,500 kilometers (~900 miles), which reflects the distance covered since the restoration was completed in 2012. Attached to the steering column is the selector for the Cotal gearbox. A floor-mounted lever allows selection of forward or reverse, and power is transmitted to the rear wheels via electromagnetic clutches. The 3,557cc inline-six features a four-bearing crankshaft, overhead valves, and three Solex downdraft carburetors. It was rated for 115 horsepower when new and was rebuilt during the restoration. Work included boring the cylinders, resurfacing the block, regrinding the crankshaft, and installing new pistons and bearings. The cylinder head was also inspected and reconditioned. The Cotal gearbox was rebuilt with repairs to the electromagnets and replacement of the main shaft, pump, and gears. Shown above is a copy of the original Chapron build sheet, which is continued in the gallery below. Additional documents in the gallery include copies of the original coachwork order form, a deposit receipt for the Delahaye chassis, a March 31, 1949 bill of sale for the completed car, registration from 1963, and correspondence between the owner in 1966 and a mechanic regarding the car’s fate. Also included in the gallery is a selection of photos from various stages of the restoration, while additional photos can be seen at the owner’s website dedicated to the car. The video below features the car being driven, ride-along footage, the engine running, and a walk around.