1949 Delahaye 135 M Chapron
- Engine
- 3.6L inline-six, triple-carburetor high-performance tune, with Cotal gearbox
Delahaye 135 M chassis 801355, bodied by Chapron and completed in March 1949, is a triple-carbureted example fitted with a Cotal gearbox. Delivered to Henri Chapron in February 1949, it spent decades in a single Detroit family collection, where it was exhibited at concours events, toured, and underwent a cosmetic restoration completed in 2016. The car earned a Lion award at the Concours d'Elegance of America in 2018.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$240,800
- → 1972Michael Berrypartial documentation
Detroit-based businessman and car enthusiast who held the car prior to 1972.
- 1972 →Private saleCharles Naglerfull documentation
Acquired for the family collection from a fellow Detroit businessman; family undertook parts sourcing, restoration work, and occasional showing. A cosmetic restoration was completed in 2016. Extensive documentation including research files, photographs, and correspondence accompanies the car.
Competition
- 19361936 Marseilles race1st through 6th places swept by Delahaye 135s
Model-level result, not specific to this chassis; the 135 dominated the top positions.
- 19371937 Le Mans 24 Hours2nd overall
Model-level result for the Delahaye 135, not attributed to this specific chassis.
- 19371937 Rallye Monte Carlo1st overall
Model-level result for the Delahaye 135, not attributed to this specific chassis.
- 19381938 Le Mans 24 Hours1st, 2nd, and 4th overall
Model-level result for the Delahaye 135, not attributed to this specific chassis.
- 19391939 Rallye Monte Carlo1st overall
Model-level result for the Delahaye 135, not attributed to this specific chassis.
- 1973Toronto Concours d'Elegance
Exhibited by the Nagler family; this is a confirmed appearance for chassis 801355.
- 1973Sports Cars in Review exhibit, Henry Ford Museum
Car was displayed at this museum exhibit in the same year as the Toronto concours appearance.
- 20182018 Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John'sLion award
Recognition followed a 2016 cosmetic restoration; the car is referred to informally as 'Peggy' in the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2016Restoration203 Custom Car Works
Cosmetic restoration completed, encompassing a new interior and re-chroming of brightwork.
Interior executed by craftsman Mark Larder; chrome work carried out by Brightworks of Piqua, Ohio.
- —Restoration
Restoration work carried out after 1973, involving sourcing of period-correct components from French suppliers including shock-absorber manufacturer André; the car was shown and used on tours following this work.
Pre-restoration research included correspondence with Delahaye specialists André Surmain and Ed Windfelder. Exact completion date not stated.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.