Beschreibung:

PROPERTY FROM THE PATRICK S. RYAN COLLECTION The Paris Salon exhibit 1948 DELAHAYE 135M CABRIOLET COACHWORK BY MARCEL POURTOUT, FRANCE Chassis No. 800997 Engine No. 800997 Burgundy coachwork with cream upholstery and cream hood Engine: six cylinder, in-line, cast iron cylinder block and head with two pushrod-operated valves per cylinder, single side-mounted camshaft, triple side-draught Solex carburetors, 3,557cc., 115bhp at 4,000rpm; Gearbox: single dry plate clutch with four-speed Cotal electro-magnetic gearbox, spiral bevel final drive; Suspension: front, independent with underslung transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs with vertical links, radius arms and friction-type shock absorbers; Brakes: four wheel hydraulic drum brakes, Bendix duo-servo operation. Right hand drive. During the immediate pre-war period the Delahaye 135 in its various guises excelled: in sports car racing, the marque finished in the first six places in the Marseilles GP in 1936, and in the 1936 French Grand Prix it had a near win with 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th places; in endurance racing, the marque placed 1st, 2nd and 4th at Le Mans in 1938; at rallying, there were wins in the Monte Carlo Rally in 1937 and 1939. All this from a simple pushrod six cylinder engine that owed its origin more to commercial vehicles than to anything else. Any lack of sophistication, was more than made up for with reliability, torque and ease of maintenance. A bonus was the motor's relative economy; 20 mpg could be attained when touring. The chassis, like the engine, was vice-free; it was light with positive steering befitting a much smaller car, powerful brakes and sure-footed roadholding well up to the standard of the time. These cars were often equipped, like this one, with the ingenious and enjoyable Cotal electro-magnetic gearbox, which gave instantaneous, foolproof changes by way of a small lever operating in a gate mounted on the steering column, the central lever on the floor selecting forward, neutral and reverse. This 135 Delahaye is fitted with the more powerful option of triple Solex carburetors which boost the power to 115bhp, the only difference between this and the even more powerful MS version being in the cylinder head, camshaft and compression ratio. It also has the desirable and attractive chrome wire wheel option. The coachwork on this example is from the French carrossier Marcel Pourtout who, although they seldom bodied Delahayes, was one of the first to exhibit a Delahaye after the war at the Paris Salon of 1946, their showpiece being a low and streamlined two-door coupe with headlamps built into the radiator grille, cut away doors and full spats for the rear wings. This magnificent Delahaye is very much an extension of that theme, but as a Cabriolet version with Pourtout hallmarks of low in-built headlamps, fully spatted rear wheel arches and a forward projecting horizontal bar radiator grille. The flowing all-enveloping bodywork is finished in maroon with contrasting beige leather upholstery and a matching colored hood. The low full-width split windcreen follows the contours of the coachwork and includes opening quarter light windows. This elegant Cabriolet exemplifies the worldwide reputation of French coachbuilders' designs that had become so popular before World War II with both affluent new owners and Concours d'Elegance participants. This particular car was commissioned for the renowned French choreographer, the Marquis de Cuevas, in Paris and prior to delivery it was exhibited at the Paris Salon that year. Following a number of noted French owners, the car was totally restored to its former glory by Atelier Automobiles Anciennes of Tours, France under the personal supervision of Marcel Pourtout. A letter signed by Pourtout authenticating its originality is included with the car. The car was then subsequently imported into America by Patrick Ryan in 1989. Today this elegant car represents one of the finest coachbuilt Delahayes of the post-war year