France's defining sporting grand tourer of the 1930s — chassis to the world's leading coachbuilders.
The Delahaye 135 was France's pre-eminent sporting chassis from 1935, powered by a 3.5-litre overhead-valve six (135M / 135MS variants with triple Solex carburettors and around 130 bhp). The chassis was clothed by every leading French coachbuilder — Figoni & Falaschi, Saoutchik, Chapron, Franay, Letourneur et Marchand — and dominated French concours throughout the 1930s. The 135MS finished second at Le Mans 1938. Post-war production continued into 1954 with progressively softer bodywork before financial pressures ended the marque.
Pre-war French coachbuilding at its most flamboyant; the Delahaye 135 chassis carries some of the most theatrical bodies ever built.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 135 / 135M | 1935–1954 | Not separately recorded | Standard touring specification. |
| 135MS | 1936–1939 | Not separately recorded | Sporting specification; triple-Solex 130 bhp. |
| 135 Compétition | 1936–1939 | Not separately recorded | Works racing variant; Le Mans podium. |
For pre-war and vintage cars such as the Delahaye 135 / 135M / 135MS, provenance is paramount. Chassis and engine number matching, period coachbuilder records, factory build sheets where available, continuous ownership documentation, original handbooks and any competition or concours history are the foundation of value. Coachbuilder identity and pre-war origin; Figoni & Falaschi pontoon-fendered cars lead.
The 3.5-litre OHV six is robust and well-supported; triple Solex carburettors require specialist set-up. Cotal preselector gearboxes (fitted to many cars) need specialist familiarity. A pre-purchase inspection by a recognised marque specialist should include compression and leak-down testing, magneto and ignition checks, chassis straightness and frame survey, axle and steering wear assessment, brake system review (mechanical or hydraulic per period), and an extended road test on varied terrain to expose carburation, cooling and gearbox issues that only emerge under sustained running.
Pre-war coachwork is rarely truly original after a century of use. Establish whether the body is original to the chassis (period photographs, build records, coachbuilder plates), whether it has been re-bodied at any point, and the standard of any restoration. Quality of timber framing, ash health, panel beating and paint depth are all critical. Concealed structural rot, re-bodies presented as original, and 'tribute' cars built on later or unrelated chassis must be priced accordingly.
Pre-war Figoni & Falaschi or Saoutchik open coachwork is the dramatic top of the market; post-war saloons and softer coachwork trade at substantial discounts. For vintage cars, event eligibility — Mille Miglia, Goodwood Revival, Pebble Beach, VSCC events, Le Mans Classic — can underwrite a substantial proportion of market value. Verify FIA/FIVA papers, period race history where claimed, and the car's standing with the relevant marque registry before purchase.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-15 | Gooding Christie's Pebble Beach Auctions, Lot 165 | 1937 135 Coupe des Alpes Cabriolet | — | $665,000 Sold |
| 2025-01-24 | RM Sotheby's Arizona, Lot 170 | 1947 135 M Roadster | — | $555,000 Sold |
| 2024-08-16 | Gooding Christie's Pebble Beach Auctions, Lot 34 | 1938 135 M Torpédo Roadster | — | $2,095,000 Sold |
| 2024-03-01 | Broad Arrow Auctions The Amelia Auction, Lot 280 | 1938 135 MS Figoni et Falaschi Coupé | — | $1,325,000 Sold |
Top-tier French coachwork is finite and increasingly recognised. Mid-tier offers strong relative value.
Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.
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The valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
