1935 Delahaye 135 Coupe des Alpes Sports Saloon
Coachwork by Henri Labourdette
Chassis No.: 46081
Key Features:
- Unique aerodynamic coachwork
- The only Delahaye 135 bodied by Henri Labourdette
- Older restoration, well preserved
- Registered in France
A Unique Aerodynamic Design
In the mid-1930s, automotive design was heavily influenced by aerodynamics, and each manufacturer had its own interpretation. The Delahaye 135 Coupe des Alpes was no exception, and this particular example stands out due to its one-of-a-kind bodywork by Henri Labourdette. Labourdette, one of Paris’s oldest and most innovative coachbuilders, was known for his unique and avant-garde designs.
Jean-Paul Tissot, President of the Delahaye Club, has confirmed that chassis number 46081 left the Delahaye factory in 1935. A significant historical record of this car appears in La Vie de l'Automobile on April 25, 1936, featuring a road test conducted by the famous journalist Charles Faroux. During testing at Montlhéry, the car achieved a maximum speed of 148.7 km/h (92 mph)—a remarkable feat for its time.
Rediscovery and Restoration
After disappearing from public records, the Delahaye 135 Coupe des Alpes resurfaced in the late 1980s in the possession of Pierre Flahaut, a former racing driver and Jaguar dealer in Paris. Flahaut, who had competed at Le Mans with Delahaye and Panhard in the 1950s, acquired the car from the heirs of the Sirot family. The car had been abandoned for many years in the outbuildings of a château but remained largely intact.
A complete restoration followed, carried out by Messrs Tessier (bodywork) and Messrs Beauzon (mechanical work). Following its restoration, the Coupe des Alpes was displayed at Rétromobile on the Delahaye Club’s stand before joining the collection of Jean Gorjat in the UK, where it was registered ‘MSJ 158’.
Design & Interior
Despite its fastback stern and refined styling, the car’s silhouette has a resemblance to a sporting estate car. Its gracefully curved wings, large Rudge wheels, and streamlined profile make it both elegant and aerodynamic.
The luxurious interior stays true to the French tradition of high-end craftsmanship, featuring:
- Brown leather upholstery
- Bakelite steering wheel matching the interior color
- Varnished wooden dashboard with an array of instruments, including:
- Clock, ammeter, and oil temperature gauge (left side)
- Mechanical rev counter (left side)
- Thermometer, fuel gauge, and oil pressure gauge (right side)
- Central speedometer marked up to 200 km/h
Current Condition & Documentation
The Delahaye 135 Coupe des Alpes is described by the vendor as being in very good condition throughout, benefiting from a well-preserved older restoration. It remains registered in France and is offered with a French Carte Grise Normale.
This stylish and unique Grande Routière represents the only Delahaye 135 bodied by Labourdette, making it a highly sought-after collector’s piece.