1939 Delahaye 135MS 3 position drophead by Pennock

Chassis number: 800874
Registration number: 126JLB

Owned by Prince Birabongse of Siam, the famed Racing driver.  This Delahaye 135 comes to us with two large box files of history & photographs detailing the extensive works undertaken to it.  In addition to a full engine out rebuild, the Cotal Automatic gearbox has also been disassembled & brand new planetary gears fabricated etc.  As a result, the car is a pleasure to drive.

The car is finished in black with dark Mauve accents to the wings.  To the interior is mauve leather with matching carpets giving the vehicle a very striking appearance.  Coachwork is by Pennock to a design penned by Chapron.  It takes the form of a versatile three-position drophead with seating for four in comfort.  Spats fitted to the rear wheels accentuate the voluptuous lines of the car.

The engine is a sporty 3.6-litre six-cylinder unit fed by triple Solex carburettors. This gives the car tremendous performance, sitting somewhere between that of a Bugatti type 57 & a Derby Bentley but closer to the Bugatti end of the scale.  The Cotal Electro-magnetic automatic gearbox makes the car a delight to drive & is seamless in its operation; similar in fact to a preselector 'box but without the pre-select bit.  After pulling away from one simply flicks the minuscule H pattern gear switch to the appropriate gear & it instantly & smoothly engages.  Make no mistake, this is a fast car with 100 mph attainable which is rare for a pre-war car.

Rare & desirable, everything needs to be done has been done to this car leaving it in impeccable condition.  It is the embodiment of the French "Grand Routier" and well suited to high-speed continental touring with plenty of room for luggage.  The coachwork is the epitome of 1930's elegance being somewhat flamboyant in appearance whilst also remaining sleek & sporty making it a real drivers car.