Delahaye 135 — BrandWiki

Delahaye 135

Overview

Delahaye 135/138/148/168

manufacturer	Delahaye
production	1935–1954 ca. 2,000 built
class	Luxury car
layout	FR layout
engine	3,227 cc straight-6, 95 - 110 hp 3,557 cc straight-6, 90 - 160 hp
transmission	4-speed manual 4-speed pre-selector
weight	935 kg (chassis) 1250 - 1640 kg
wheelbase	2950 mm
successor	Delahaye 235
related	Delahaye 134 Delahaye 145 Delahaye 175
designer	Jean François

The Delahaye 135 is a luxury car manufactured by French automaker Delahaye. Designed by engineer Jean François, it was produced from 1935 until 1954 in many different body styles. A sporting tourer, it was also popular for racing.[1]

History

The Delahaye 135, also known as "Coupe des Alpes" after its success in the Alpine Rally, was first presented in 1935 and signified Delahaye's decision to build sportier cars than before. The 3.2-litre overhead valve straight-six with four-bearing crankshaft was derived from one of Delahaye's truck engines and was also used in the more sedate, longer wheelbase (3160 mm) Delahaye 138. Power was 95 hp in twin carburetor form,[2] but 110 hp were available in a version with three downdraught Solex carbs,[1] offering a 148 km/h top speed. The 138 had a single carburetor and 76 hp, and was available in a sportier 90 hp iteration.[3]

135M

A larger-displacement (3,557 cc) 135M was introduced in 1936. Largely the same as the regular 135, the new engine offered 90, 105, or 115 hp, with either one, two, or three carburetors. As with the 135/138, a less sporty, longer wheelbase version was also built, called the "148". The 148 had a 3,150 mm wheelbase, or 3,350 mm in a seven-seater version. On the two shorter wheelbases, a 134N was also available, with a 2,150 cc four-cylinder version of the 3.2-litre six from the 135. Along with a brief return of the 134, production of 148, 135M, and 135MS models was resumed after the end of the war. The 135 and 148 were then joined by the one litre larger engined Delahaye 175 / 175S; 178; and 180, being an entirely new series that was under development before the war. When the large displacement chassis-series was discontinued in 1951, the 135M was updated to be introduced as the Type 235, as a last ditch effort to save Delahaye. The 235 was offered until the demise of Delahaye in 1954, but only 84 examples were built.

168

Presented in December 1938 and built until the outbreak of war in 1940, the Type 168 used the 148L's chassis and engine (engine code 148N) in Renault Viva Grand Sport bodywork.[8] Wheelbase remained 315 cm while the use of artillery wheels rather than spoked items meant minor differences in track. This curious hybrid was the result of an effort by Renault to steal in on Delahaye's lucrative near monopoly on fire vehicles: after a complaint by Delahaye, Renault relinquished contracts it had gained, but in return Delahaye had to agree to purchase a number of Viva Grand Sport bodyshells.[8] In an effort to limit the market of this cuckoo's egg, thus limiting the number of bodyshells it had to purchase from Renault, Delahaye chose to equip it with the unpopular Wilson preselector (even though the marketing material referred to the Cotal version). This succeeded very well, and with the war putting a stop to car production, no more than thirty were supposedly built. Strong, wide, and fast, like their Viva Grand Sport half sisters, the 168s proved popular with the army. Many were equipped to run on gazogène during the war and very few (if any) remain.[9]

168

135MS

An even sportier version, the 135MS, soon followed; 120–145 hp were available, with competition versions offering over 160 hp.[1] The 135MS was the version most commonly seen in competition, and continued to be available until 1954, when new owners Hotchkiss finally called a halt. The MS had the 2.95 m wheelbase, but competition models sat on a shortened 2.70 m chassis.

The Type 235, a rebodied 135MS with ponton-style design by Philippe Charbonneaux, appeared in 1951.

Delahaye 135

History

135M

168

168

135MS

Competition

External links

References