1946 Delahaye Type 135 M Cabriolet by Franay
- Engine
- Triple-carburetor inline configuration, uprated 135 M specification
- Colour
- Mulberry with red accents
Chassis 800322 is a Delahaye Type 135 M cabriolet bodied by the Parisian coachbuilder Franay, one of at most ten such conversions on this chassis type. Completed in late 1946 with distinctive Art Deco styling including bullet headlamps, chrome scroll fender decoration, and a unique radiator mascot, it made its public debut at the Concours d'Élégance Trocadéro in Paris. The car passed through several French and European owners before a comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic restoration was carried out in Canada, and it is documented in Jean-Paul Tissot's authoritative marque monograph.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$296,500
- 1948-03-01 →Private saleResident of the Seine Departmentpartial documentation
Anonymous Paris-region owner; period photography indicates wheels were swapped to Rudge wire type during this period.
- 1955-02-01 →Acquisition unknownAnciens Etablissements Thomaspartial documentation
Parisian firm; the car was re-registered in their name in early 1955.
- 1967-11-01 →Acquisition unknownEric Callegaripartial documentation
The distinctive radiator mascot was removed during his ownership to satisfy French road regulations; the car remained within the same family for an extended period.
- → 2000-06-01InheritanceCallegari familypartial documentation
The vehicle stayed within the Callegari family following Eric Callegari's ownership before eventually being consigned to auction.
- → 2012Private saleSpanish enthusiastpartial documentation
Acquired the car from the Malta-based owner; subsequent ownership history before 2012 purchase is not detailed.
- 2012 →Private saleGuild of Automotive Restorersfull documentation
Restoration shop based in Innisfil, Ontario, Canada; undertook a thorough mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment, refinishing the body in Mulberry with red highlights and fitting a matching red leather interior. The car was prominently featured across four episodes of the firm's television series.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownSuzy Carrierpartial documentation
French film actress, aged 23 at the time, presented the car publicly at the Trocadéro concours in Paris; her role as owner versus presenter is implied rather than explicitly stated.
- Date unknownAuctionMalta-based collectorpartial documentation
Purchased approximately three years after the June 2000 sale; chose to repaint the car in dark green, replacing the original cream finish.
Competition
- —Concours d'Elegance Trocadéro
The newly bodied car made its public debut at this Paris concours, presented by actress Suzy Carrier; no award result is recorded in the prose.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1946MaintenanceFranay
Rolling chassis dispatched from the Delahaye factory to Franay's Paris workshop, where bespoke cabriolet coachwork was constructed with rear-hinged doors, semi-recessed headlamps, Art Deco hood louvres, enclosed rear fenders with chrome scroll trim, and a distinctive radiator mascot.
Coachwork completed prior to the car's public debut; finished in cream with Dunlop wheels.
- —Modification
Original radiator mascot removed to satisfy French road traffic regulations.
Carried out during Eric Callegari's ownership, which began in November 1967.
- —Bodywork
Exterior refinished in dark green, replacing the original cream paintwork.
Commissioned by the Malta-based collector who acquired the car circa 2003.
- —RestorationGuild of Automotive Restorers
Full mechanical overhaul combined with expert coachwork refinishing in Mulberry with red accent detailing; interior retrimmed in coordinating red leather. Photographic documentation of the process is retained on file.
Work featured across four episodes of the television series Restoration Garage; car showed only 24 kilometres on the odometer following completion.
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