Description
The Delahaye 135 Compétition was one of the most celebrated French sports cars of the 1930s and 1940s, renowned for its elegance, speed, and competitive success. As part of the broader Delahaye 135 line, the Compétition model represented the high-performance, motorsport-focused variant, aimed at endurance racing and rally events across Europe.
Introduced in the mid-1930s, the 135 Compétition featured a powerful 3.6-litre straight-six engine, developed from Delahaye’s proven overhead-valve design. Depending on the setup—particularly whether it had one, two, or three carburettors—the engine could produce between 120 and 160 horsepower. This gave the car excellent performance for the time, with a top speed approaching 170 km/h (105 mph), making it competitive against rival marques such as Bugatti, Talbot-Lago, and Alfa Romeo.
The chassis was light and rigid, employing a ladder-type frame with independent front suspension by transverse leaf springs and a live rear axle with semi-elliptic springs. This provided a good balance of ride comfort and responsive handling. Braking was via cable-operated drum brakes on all four wheels, which, while less advanced than hydraulics, were effective and well-tuned for competition use.
What set the 135 Compétition apart was not just its mechanical prowess, but the combination of that performance with exquisite coachbuilt bodies. Delahaye sold the Compétition as a rolling chassis, allowing top French coachbuilders such as Figoni et Falaschi, Chapron, Letourneur et Marchand, and Pourtout to craft streamlined, often dramatic bodies. These designs ranged from open roadsters to enclosed coupés, often with aerodynamic flourishes, teardrop fenders, and flowing lines that defined the art deco era of French motoring.
The car achieved considerable success in motorsport. It won the 1937 Monte Carlo Rally and claimed victories and podium finishes in endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Paris. Its blend of reliability and speed made it particularly effective in long-distance events. In 1938, a Delahaye 135 CS variant (Compétition Spéciale) finished third overall at Le Mans, confirming its pedigree among Europe’s elite competition cars.
After the war, production of the 135 continued, and while post-war models were heavier and less competitive on the track, they retained their elegance and quality. However, the pre-war Compétition versions remain the most sought-after, especially those with notable racing histories or distinctive coachwork.
Today, the Delahaye 135 Compétition is one of the most admired classic French sports cars. It is prized by collectors for its rarity, beauty, and motorsport legacy. Whether appearing at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance or the Mille Miglia revival, it continues to represent the peak of French automotive style and engineering from a golden era.