1952 Delahaye 235 Saoutchik Fastback Coupé
- Engine
- Refined 135-derived engine, ~160 bhp
- Colour
- Metallic aubergine
Chassis 818039 is one of just two surviving Delahaye 235s bodied by Carrosserie Saoutchik, and the last Delahaye to carry coachwork by that firm. Built on Delahaye's final luxury chassis and shown as the centrepiece of the Saoutchik stand at the 1952 Paris Salon, the pillarless fastback coupé earned the Grand Prix d'Honneur at Enghien-les-Bains in 1953. Brought to the United States in the late 1980s, the car was restored to its current aubergine finish and won a class award at the 1990 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$577,000
- 1952 →Acquisition unknownUnknown first ownernone documentation
Identity of the original purchaser is not established; circumstantial evidence suggests the car was sold new in the Enghien-les-Bains area following the 1953 concours appearance.
- 1959 → 1979Acquisition unknownClaude Martinpartial documentation
Registered in the Seine-et-Oise department under plate 5678 CX 78; by the time of sale the bodywork had been repainted in French Racing Blue.
- 1984 → 1987Private saleJean-Claude Aubrietpartial documentation
French motorsport figure well known for Le Mans entries; held the car for roughly three years, during which period a sliding sunroof was likely installed.
- 1990 →Acquisition unknownPrivate collectionpartial documentation
Retained in a single private collection following the 1990 Pebble Beach appearance; described as being in sound overall condition at time of cataloguing.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownUS-based owner via Mike Fennel restorationpartial documentation
Car was brought to the United States in the late 1980s and comprehensively restored by Mike Fennel, who chose a metallic aubergine finish with a tan interior, closely following the original coachwork form.
Competition
- 19521952 Paris SalonFeatured as centrepiece of Saoutchik stand
Car displayed in Velasquez Gray with blue leather interior as the focal exhibit of the coachbuilder's salon stand.
- 1953-06-20Enghien-les-Bains Casino ConcoursGrand Prix d'Honneur
Concours held at the Enghien-les-Bains casino; car took the top honour at the event.
- 19901990 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceClass award winner
Presented following the Fennel restoration in aubergine livery; received a class-level award.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Modification
A sliding sunroof was added, believed to have been a period-correct installation rather than a later alteration.
Timing is uncertain but thought to predate or coincide with the Aubriet ownership in the mid-1980s.
- —RestorationMike Fennel
Full restoration carried out in the United States, refinishing the car in a rich metallic aubergine with a tan leather interior. Original body form was closely respected; original bumpers were replaced with lighter chrome bumperettes. Original chrome flanking sweep was retained.
Work completed prior to the car's 1990 Pebble Beach appearance. The engine block was confirmed to carry its original casting numbers.
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