Delahaye 135 MS


Brand
Delahaye
Model
135 MS
1st admission
1947
Mileage
75558 kilometres
Fuel
Gasoline
Transmission
Manual (4 gears)
Driver's side
Right
Color
Beige
Interior color
Brown
Power
132 hp
Engine size
3557 cc
Bodywork
Cabriolet
Reference no.
0001227

Carrosserie Worblaufen was a Swiss coachbuilding company founded by Fritz Ramseier-Scheidiger and named after the village of Worblaufen, just outside Bern. Established in 1929, the company specialised in building bespoke coachwork for prestigious convertibles and coupés from marques such as Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Isotta Fraschini and Delahaye.

Delahaye was a French automobile manufacturer founded in 1894. The company quickly established a reputation for quality and performance through its successful participation in Grand Prix racing. In 1935, Delahaye introduced the Type 135 chassis, which soon became the preferred platform for many French coachbuilders. As was common among prestigious automobile manufacturers of the period, Delahaye supplied a rolling chassis complete with engine, which was then sent to an independent coachbuilder for the construction of a bespoke body. The Delahaye 135 M received coachwork from renowned firms including Chapron, Franay, Saoutchik, Graber, Figoni et Falaschi, the Dutch coachbuilder Pennock and the Swiss company Worblaufen.

Following the interruption caused by the Second World War, production of the Type 135 M resumed in 1946. The post-war cars featured a wider track, while a more powerful version was introduced alongside the Type 135 M. This enhanced Type 135 MS retained the same 3,557 cc overhead-camshaft inline six-cylinder engine but was equipped with three carburettors, increasing output to 132 hp. In this particular example, the engine is paired with a Cotal gearbox. Until production ended in 1951, Delahaye built a total of 1,155 post-war examples.

This Delahaye 135 MS Worblaufen Cabriolet has an exceptional presence. It is not only the sporting body lines and the rearward-slanting grille that make the car so distinctive, but also the Art Deco styling, the elegant paint colour, the interior, the remarkable dashboard with its transparent three-spoke steering wheel and the beautifully crafted transparent control knobs. This 135 MS also features a unique side-hinged bonnet that opens from either side. In total, Worblaufen built only six examples of the Delahaye 135 MS Cabriolet. The front end of this particular car has a design unlike that of the other five Worblaufen cabriolets and gives the car exceptionally harmonious proportions. It is therefore widely regarded as the most beautiful example of the six cars produced.

This Delahaye remained registered in Switzerland until 2014 and has carried Dutch registration since March 2015. The engine was rebuilt in 1998, and in the autumn of 2015 the body was repainted in its original off-white colour. The interior retains part of its original leather upholstery, while the inside lining of the convertible top is also original.

This spacious and elegant four-seater cabriolet is presented in very good condition. Its extensive documentation file includes numerous maintenance and restoration invoices, original brochures, restoration photographs and a statement from the Worblaufen archives confirming that only six examples were built. The current owner has owned this Delahaye since 2015. Due to limited use, the car is now ready for a new enthusiast who will enjoy it as it was intended: to drive, to promenade, and to present at distinguished Concours d'Elegance events.



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Renald van Dijke

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+31 (0)411 60 50 00
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