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.