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Under The Hammer: 1946 Delahaye Type 135M Cabriolet

Image: H and H

This gorgeous 1946 Delahaye Type 135M Cabriolet is set to go on auction on September 8 by H&H Classics at the Imperial War Museum Duxford. It is reportedly estimated to fetch between £250,000 to £300,000.

Believed to be only one of two ever made, this Grande Routiere would be a proud addition to any classic car collection. Its sister car, chassis 800320, was offered for sale with a guide price of US$450,000 to US$650,000 in 2017.

The one about to go on auction, however, was beefed up with a more powerful Type 12S 103 engine at some point in its life. According to H&H Classics, it’s rumoured to have been installed by the factory. The engine features three inlets and six exhaust ports plus triple Solex carburettors. This configuration is said to allow the Type 135M to “keep up with modern traffic”. This car is also fitted with Cotal’s unique electromagnetic four-speed gearbox, which is designed for a comfortable yet engaging driving experience.

Image: H and H

Since Delahaye lacked its own coachbuilding facilities, the company entrusted this part of the process to a laundry list of top French ateliers. This led to some of the most flamboyant bodywork seen at the time. The 1946 Delahaye Type 135M Cabriolet above, however, had coachwork done by Swiss coachbuilder Graber. Conscious of the masterpieces created by their French counterparts, Graber decided to go with a more elegant design instead. That’s why this model features more complex panel curvature than flashy chrome accents.

The car was supplied new to Lucerne, Switzerland before migrating to Bern in 1956. Two years later, it was moved to Thun, where it would remain under single ownership until 1998. Over the years it received high-quality restoration work, including bodywork refurbishment, an interior re-trim as well as a new hood. Under current ownership, it received further cosmetic enhancements and was even invited to attend the world-famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2017.

Image: H and H

History of the Delahaye Type 135

The Type 135, arguably Delahaye’s most popular model, was first launched at the 1935 Paris Salon. It has seen numerous iterations over the years, including the Type 135M above. When the Type 135 first arrived, it was noticeably stiffer and lower-slung than its predecessors, and its chassis featured box-section side rails.

Its suspension system was also unique, featuring an independent front suspension with a lower transverse leaf spring and upper wishbones connected to longitudinal torque arms. The live rear axle, on the other hand, was supported by semi-elliptic leaf springs mounted outside the main chassis rails.

The Type 135’s obvious competition potential has seen various accolades over the years. It was a successful racing car in the 1930s, with outright wins at the Coupe d’Automne, Mont Ventoux hillclimb (1936), Donington 12-hours (1937) and Le Mans 24-hours (1938). Furthermore, in 1939, esteemed racing driver and whisky heir Rob Walker’s Type 135S outran Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 and Talbot T150SS competition to claim the title of ‘Britain’s Fastest Road Car’ at the Whit Monday Brooklands meeting.

By Terence Ruis

 

This Classic Aston Martin is a dream come true for James Bond’s fans

Designed by the Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, and built by Aston Marin, the DB series named for Sir David Brown, had been a niche luxury grand tourer until it appeared in James Bond’s Goldfinger where it shot to mass cultural consciousness.

Throughout the James Bond series of films and novels, the vehicles often assigned to Bond to battle his enemies played a huge role in the narrative. Equipped with numerous modifications including outlandish weapons and elaborate anti-pursuit systems, 007 fans had often wanted (but understood) that such an equipped classic car wouldn’t necessarily be road legal. But now, there is much reason to rejoice, Aston Martin is re-issuing, in 25 limited edition “continuation models” the Goldfinger-inspired DB5 replica complete with machine guns. Yes, they will be sale starting next year.

“The main challenge has been to recreate the gadgets from the film world and transfer them into a consumer product,” – Corbould, James Bond designer

Goldfinger-inspired Aston Martin DB5 Continuation Cars will cost you $3.7million

Taking inspiration from 1964’s Goldfinger, the British car manufacturer announced that they have started building 25 continuation cars of the iconic DB5 sports car. Working together with EON Production, producers of the original Bond films, designers on the series worked with Aston Martin to create Goldfinger authentic iconic sports car at the Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, England.

This $3.75 million automobile will come with a rear smoke screen delivery system, rear simulated oil slick delivery system, revolving number plates front and rear, non-functional twin front machine guns, bullet resistant rear shield, and battering rams at either end of the car.

Adding on, its interior will house simulated radar screen tracker map, a phone in the driver’s door, gear knob actuator button, armrest and center console-mounted switchgear, storage space for weapons under the seats, and optional ejector seat. Designed by Corbould and Aston Martin, the team has definitely redefine the definition of cool and exclusive.

“The main challenge has been to recreate the gadgets from the film world and transfer them into a consumer product,” Corbould comments. “We have license in the film world to ‘cheat’ different aspects under controlled conditions. For instance, we might have four different cars to accommodate four different gadgets. We obviously don’t have that luxury on these DB5s as all the gadgets have to work in the same car all the time.”

Following its announcement, Aston Martin released its video showing the progress of the smoke screen, oil slick and machine guns. While it is equipped with such gadgets, the 25 car owners will not be able to drive it on public roads.

 This article was originally published on www.luxuo.com.