Description

The Delahaye 43 AP was a commercial and utilitarian variant of Delahaye’s Type 43, produced during the early 1930s. While Delahaye is best remembered for its luxurious and sporting cars of the late 1930s, models like the 43 AP illustrate the company’s more practical side, especially its contributions to light commercial transport and public service vehicles.

The base Type 43 was introduced in 1933 as a replacement for earlier models like the Type 112, and it served both as a private and commercial chassis. The 43 AP specifically denoted a configuration intended for utility or passenger transport purposes—such as vans, ambulances, taxis, or light buses. The “AP” suffix may have stood for “Autobus/Plateau” or a similar designation, depending on the intended application.

Under the bonnet, the Delahaye 43 AP was powered by a robust inline-four engine, displacing approximately 2.5 litres. It produced around 50 to 60 horsepower, depending on the year and tuning, which was ample for the vehicle’s intended role. The engine was mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox, offering a good balance of torque and control, particularly useful for stop-and-go urban driving or moderate hauling.

The chassis was built for durability, with a reinforced ladder frame designed to carry heavier loads or more passengers than Delahaye’s touring cars. Its longer wheelbase and wider track allowed for flexible coachbuilding, and the AP version was often supplied as a bare chassis to independent builders who would complete it as a minibus, utility van, or even military vehicle in some instances.

Braking was mechanical or hydraulic, depending on the production year, and acted on all four wheels—a critical feature as vehicle speeds and payloads increased. Suspension consisted of semi-elliptic leaf springs all around, a sturdy and time-tested solution for handling varying road conditions while supporting significant weight.

Visually, the Delahaye 43 AP retained a relatively austere appearance, typical of utility vehicles of the era. While private passenger versions might have had more stylized grilles or coachbuilt elegance, the AP’s aesthetic was shaped by function: large fenders, straightforward lighting, and tall, squared-off bodywork when completed as a van or bus. The dashboard and driver’s controls were basic but dependable, focusing on usability rather than comfort.

Although not glamorous, the 43 AP was part of a crucial transitional period in Delahaye’s production strategy. During the early 1930s, the company sought to stay financially viable through dependable utility models while continuing to explore performance and luxury. The experience gained from building rugged vehicles like the 43 AP helped inform the engineering of later, more prestigious models.

Surviving examples of the Delahaye 43 AP are scarce today, and many of the vehicles that were built were used heavily and eventually scrapped. Those that remain are of historical interest to collectors of commercial vehicles or to enthusiasts of early French marques. Occasionally, well-preserved or restored minibuses or ambulances based on the 43 AP chassis appear at vintage vehicle gatherings, offering a glimpse into the more practical legacy of Delahaye.