Based initially at Tours and from 1906 in Paris, Delahaye built its first automobile in 1894 and soon diversified into commercial vehicle manufacture.

As one of the oldest French marques Delahaye enjoyed an excellent reputation for quality, but by the Salon of 1932 its cars were not selling well and had an "old fashioned" image.

The Delahaye management instructed their recently appointed chief engineer, Jean François, to design a range of cars for the 1933 Paris Salon incorporating the latest technical features.

The new cars were the 2.1-litre, four-cylinder Type 134 of 112" wheelbase and a 3.2 litre six cylinder type 135 of 124" wheelbase.

These were the first Delahayes with independent front suspension, which was mounted on a new chassis of welded construction incorporating box-section side members with cross members, central tube and floorpan providing excellent torsional rigidity.

The Type 134 engine shared its 107mm stroke with the 3.2 litre six which, although designed for c...