1949 Delahaye 135M

VIN: 801199

$495,000

Sold

1949 Delahaye 135M
1949 Delahaye 135M

Seller details

  • Auction

    RM Sotheby's

  • Location

    Amelia Island, FL; US

  • Event date

    Mar 12, 2016

  • Lot

    127

Vehicle specs

  • Chassis/VIN

    801199

  • Body style

    Cabriolet

  • Odometer

    77 km

  • Transmission type

    Standard

  • Horsepower

    115

  • Induction

    3x1 bbl

  • Interior Color

    Beige Leather

  • Exterior Color

    Dark Blue

  • Generation

    1948-1954 Delahaye 135

Vehicle details

Notes and observations recorded by Hagerty staff.

Equipment

RHD. 3558/115hp, triple Solexes, 4-speed Cotal pre-selector, chrome centerlock wire wheels, Firestone wide whitewalls, Marchal headlights and driving lights, beige leather boot cover, banjo spoke steering wheel, bench seat, dash clock, skirts, suicide doo

Condition

#3 Good

Runs and drives well. Flaws not noticeable to passersby. Most common condition.

About Hagerty’s condition ratingsClose

Stress crack right ahead of driver's side door and numerous chips around it. Small hammered out dent and crack just above the right front wheel. Blisters at the back of the driver's side door. Two dings in the rear bumper and microblisters on the left rear fender. Long crack right above the left front wheel. Chips around both doors. Lightly worn and discolored interior. One of only a handful made. Restored many years ago. Not a bad car, but there are far too many paint issues to call it a really good one. Fresh cosmetics would make all the difference in the world for this otherwise gorgeous, rare car.

Market commentary

One of a few automobiles built in France in the days after World War II on pre-war chassis before confiscatory taxation made them unaffordable and all but killed automobile manufacturing the the cradle of the automobile. Pourtout's 'Malmaison' coachwork, without the chrome swoops and trim that burdened some other postwar French coachwork, highlights the sweeping curves and thoughtfully balanced design. Even the front with its low-mounted headlights in the fender catwalks accents and defines the traditional Delahaye grille. It would look better, though, as built with body color wheels. Offered in comparable condition but different livery at The Auction in Las Vegas in 1991, it was bid to $275,000 and could have been yours for $550,000. Better, apparently, to wait. It is a superb automobile and it brought a marvelous but realistic price from someone with very good taste.

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