1935 DELAHAYE CABRIOLET CHAPRON 138W 
Rare Delahaye, preceding the 135 series

C…
Description

1935 DELAHAYE CABRIOLET CHAPRON 138W

Rare Delahaye, preceding the 135 series Chapron bodywork Never seen since 50 years, clear history French registration title Sold without MOT Chassis n° 45393 Engine n° 45393 Body n° 4810 We are in the presence of a very rare surviving Type 138, Delahaye, top of the range of the Delahaye production appearing at the Paris show 1933, in the new “SuperLuxe» series, deeply modernizing the range of the manufacturer, one of the great pioneers of the French industry. This new series will be declined in three types: the type 138 in 18 HP, the 134 in 12 HP and the 132 in 10 HP. The type 138 will be the only one motorized by an inline 6-cylinder engine with a 3200 cc displacement, evolution of the type 126 and which will precede the legendary type 135, flagship of the brand. It will be marketed in two chassis: the type 138 D, equipped with the Delahaye mechanical gearbox, and the type 138 W, equipped with the Wilson pre-selective gearbox. Most of the Type 138 will be delivered with so-called «factory» bodywork, made more or less in series by some coachbuilders, and much more rarely on special order. Such is the case of this 138 W cabriolet bearing the serial number 45393, made in Henri Chapron’s workshops in 1935, bearing the bodywork number 4810, and corresponding to his model nicknamed «Dandy». We still appreciate its particularly luxurious and elegant finish, highly interesting for future participations in concours d’élégance, bearing moreover the beautiful signature of a great coachbuilder. This cabriolet will be part of one of the 138 W series of the year 1935, registered on the 21st of March 1935. The official price list of March 18, 1935 indicates the data of the various choices for this car, with certainly a clear surplus for this special order at Chapron. Thus, on March 21, 1935, this cabriolet will be registered new with 3493 RJ 5 plates in the Seine department, for the benefit of a celebrity by the name of Henri Prost, architect and great French town planner (1874-1959), known in particular for his plans for the development of Casablanca, Fez, Rabat, Marrakech, Meknes, Algiers, Istanbul, Caracas, and, in France, on the coast of the Var region of France, in the Paris region and in Metz. His residence was 13 Quai de la Tournelle, Paris V. In 1954, five years before his death, he will register his convertible with new plates, still at his Parisian home under the number 8810 CZ 75. The car will be sold to two new owners, still in Paris, in January 1956, then in December 1957. On September 29, 1966, the convertible will leave the capital to join the department of Savoy, where it will be registered under the number 166 FU 73. Here is a study carried out by Jean-Paul Tissot, president of the Club Delahaye, at the request of the Aguttes auction house. ******* In 1966, Mr. Noël Machaud bought the car from Mr. Christian de la Fléchère, who had stored it in the family castle of Montvéran, in Culoz, in the Ain region. He repainted the car and entrusted the repair of the hood to a saddler, who died before the work was done. The car will remain disassembled (grill and fittings), and without the top, well stored, until after his death. In his will, Mr Machaud left the famous Delahaye to his two grandsons, who have now decided to part with the car. The odometer of this extraordinary Delahaye shows 10 145 km. Considering the state of wear of the mechanics, and the conservation of the car, it is not impossible that this is its original mileage. If we can regret that the car has been repainted in the 1970s, we can only remain in admiration of the incredible state of conservation of the whole, whether it is the leathers, or the woodwork of the body. The doors do not show any play, and the engine starts immediately, with an oil pressure (3 kg when cold) that testifies of its excellent health. Likewise, the Wilson pre-selective gearbox works perfectly, and the braking - by cables - is still functional. The future owner will have to decide what to do with this beautiful 3-positions Chapron cabriolet, a rare survivor of the 138 series with Wilson gearbox: either reassemble the accessories, revise the electrics and the mechanics to put this Delahaye back on the road in its original condition; or undertake a complete restoration... a difficult choice if ever there was one. But the first option could be the best one!

68 

1935 DELAHAYE CABRIOLET CHAPRON 138W

Auction is over for this lot. See the results