1947 Delahaye 135 M Coach by Chapron

Chassis No. 800605 Chapron Body No. 6402Fresh from the success of its celebrated Type 135 racing program-and building on its competition achievements, including an outright victory at the 1938 24 Hours of Le Mans with the 135 CS-Delahaye leveraged its racing expertise to introduce the 135 M that same year, the “M” standing for Modifiée (Modified).Power came from Delahaye's proven 3.5-liter inline six-cylinder engine, offered in two configurations: a single-carburetor version producing 95 horsepower or a more potent triple-carburetor specification delivering 115 horsepower. In the latter form, the 135 M was capable of reaching a top speed of approximately 155 km/h (96 mph).As with all Delahayes of the period, the 135 M was supplied as a rolling chassis, ready to be clothed by the coachbuilder of the buyer's choice. As such, it stands as a quintessential product of France's Golden Age of coachbuilding and automotive craftsmanship, an era that brought together the finest artisans of the day-from master coachbuilders and upholsterers to expert metalworkers and chrome specialists-to create some of the most elegant and distinctive automobiles of the pre- and post-war period.Among the foremost coachbuilders of the era stood Henri Chapron, whose ateliers were entrusted by Delahaye themselves with the coachwork for this 135 M Coach, chassis number 800605.The car is further documented by a handwritten letter from Madame Chapron, the coachbuilder's widow, dated 2004 and containing information drawn from the Chapron archives, including digital copies of the original delivery order, invoice, and build sheet.Entering Chapron's workshops on 20 August 1947, this 135 M was completed, invoiced, and returned to Delahaye at a cost of 263,030 Francs in December of the same year. It was then finished in blue with copper pinstriping along the body sides and wheels, complemented by Havana leather upholstery.Part of the renowned collection of Edward Schoenthaler in the early 2000s, the 135 M was comprehensively restored and subsequently exhibited at both the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. Thereafter, it enjoyed an active presence on the concours and touring circuit, earning accolades along the way, including a First Prize from the Classic Car Club of America, an honor that speaks not only to the car's historical significance but also to the exceptional quality of its restoration.Among its many appearances, the Chapron was awarded First in Class at the 2015 Concours d'Elegance of America and returned to the lawns of Pebble Beach in 2016, further affirming its status among the finest examples of its kind. Following many years in the Schoenthaler Collection, the car was purchased directly from Edward Schoenthaler by the consignor.Eligible for major concours d'elegance events, rallies, and tours, this Delahaye offers its next owner the opportunity to enjoy a distinguished example of postwar French engineering and coachbuilding.