1949 DELAHAYE 135 MS COACH PAR CHAPRON

French title
Chassis n° 801426
Chapron n° 6799

- Remarkable restoration by Dominique Tessier
- Elegant Chapron body
- Superb colour combination

This superb automobile was discovered in a barn in 1967 by a student related to the previous head of the Société des Automobiles Delahaye. At the time of this discovery, when the car was presented in ivory and burgundy, it still had its original 135 M engine. This was found to be unrepairable and it was decided, during its first restoration, to install a more powerful 135 MS engine in its place. The car was sold, and then offered for sale again by the Musée du Forez, with an advert appearing in the Vie de l’Auto in October 1994. At this time the car was registered in the Rhône. In 1998, a doctor-collector from Saône et Loire became the new owner.
A full report on his collection, including this Delahaye, appeared in the magazine Rétroviseur in July 2003.
In 2014, the current owner, an astute collector, decided to have a thorough restoration carried out in the renowned workshops of Dominique Tessier, based near Tours. The results were fabulous, following a highly professional restoration respecting the original configuration of the car. The judicious choice of colours, plum and white, suit this type of period coachwork perfectly. The engine has been overhauled, the brakes and electrical system rebuilt, the chassis cleaned and repainted and the upholstery redone in a superb red leather. The car’s Cotal gearbox has been refurbished and the original wooden trim has been treated and varnished.

The auction of this lot will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.
https://www.artcurial.com/fr/lot-1949-delahaye-135-ms-coach-par-chapron-4134-129