Summary

This 135 MS prototype came to life as a factory demo to promote the concessionaires, exporters and shippers for Delahaye in the UK. Built on a Delahaye chassis, inline 6 cylinder 3.5 Litre with Cotal semi-automatic transmission and Solex HD 44 carbs.

Details

This spectacular roadster was the idea of Alan Selborne who wanted to market a Delahaye which was a cross between a racing car and a road car. He asked Guy Jason Henry to design and build a car along these lines for him and the 135 chassis was delivered to Guy's workshop in 1949. Mr. Selborne was the Delahaye distributor for England. The design for this car was conceived before the war but was not completed until 1950. The engine is the same as those installed in the factory 135MS race cars and is fitted with triple Solex Siamese carburetors. The body is lightweight aluminum alloy. After completion the car was exhibited on the Delahaye stand at Earls Court Motor Show in 1950 before going to its first owner Alex Korda, a famous Hollywood producer. It then went to English actor Hubert Reese, who purchased the car in the late 1950's. Carlton Coolidge became the next owner in 1972 and Delahaye expert Richard Adatto owned the car from 1979 until 2001. The car was restored then shown at Pebble Beach Concours in 1982 where it placed second in the Delahaye class. The car was recently cosmetically freshened up before competing in the Colorado Grand flawlessly. The engine, transmission, body and chassis are all original. The car has been successfully vintage raced in Monterey, where it took a second and fourth place. From the Blackhawk Collection.