In 1935, Delahaye launched its groundbreaking 3.5-litre 135 model.

The initial design was a smart two-door style called the Coupe des Alpes.

Although the car was marketed as having a Delahaye factory body, it was in reality designed and built by the famous coachbuilder Henri Chapron, with whom Delahaye had struck a deal to provide a number of styles aimed at a sporting clientele.

The 135 met with instant success and transformed the somewhat dusty image of the marque into something chic and ritzy that appealed to the concours set.

In 1936, the engine was bored up to 3.6 litres to become the 135 M, and in the 135 MS set-up with three carburettors, no less than 135 bhp were on tap.

Delahaye had given the contract to build the ‘factory’ 135 bodies to Chapron, because the company did not have an in-house coachbuilding facility, and for the same reason, the 135 chassis was immediately made available to the trade.

What followed until the breakout of the Second World War was a virtually ...