The Type 135 was introduced in 1935 as a sportier alternative to the longer-wheelbase 138 and was outfitted with bodywork by a purchaser’s coachbuilder of choice. The 135 range was joined the following year by the Modifie variant, which carried a higher-displacement engine and a choice of one, two, or three carburetors. Production of the 135M was resumed after World War II and continued until Delahaye’s dissolution in the 1950s.
This example’s Graber bodywork is said to have…
The Type 135 was introduced in 1935 as a sportier alternative to the longer-wheelbase 138 and was outfitted with bodywork by a purchaser’s coachbuilder of choice. The 135 range was joined the following year by the Modifie variant, which carried a higher-displacement engine and a choice of one, two, or three carburetors. Production of the 135M was resumed after World War II and continued until Delahaye’s dissolution in the 1950s.
This example’s Graber bodywork is said to have been refinished in dark blue during a late-1990s refurbishment by Vantage Motorworks in Miami, Florida, with the shade retained during a subsequent repaint in 2021. Features include a centrally hinged hood with four rows of louvers outlined by bright trim, split front and rear bumpers, dual rectangular side mirrors, and a blue convertible top that can be stowed under a red boot. A crack is present in the lower left-hand corner of the windshield.
Borrani wire wheels are secured by octagonal knock-offs and are wrapped in 6.50/7.00-17 Michelin Comfort Cord SS tires, while a trunk-mounted spare wears non-matching Michelin rubber. Stopping is handled by mechanically actuated duo-servo drum brakes at each corner.
The cabin is trimmed in red leather over front bucket seats and a rear bench with matching upholstery over the door panels and dash fascia. Contrasting blue carpeting is bound in red leather, while additional features include body-color door caps, roll-up windows, and a lockable glovebox. Replacement machine-turned sill and door-jamb plates are said to have been fabricated in 2021.
The four-spoke steering wheel is situated on the right-hand side ahead of a column-mounted selector for the Cotal gearbox, while a floor shifter allows engagement of forward or reverse. OS instrumentation includes a 180-km/h speedometer, a tachometer, an ammeter, and inset gauges monitoring oil temperature, coolant temperature, fuel level, and oil pressure. The ammeter does not register correct values. The five-digit odometer shows 6k kilometers (~3,700 miles), approximately 350 of which have been added under current ownership. True mileage is unknown.
The 3.6-liter inline-six features four main bearings, pushrod-actuated overhead valves, and triple Solex downdraft carburetors, the latter of which are said to have been rebuilt in October 2022. Additional work at that time reportedly included adjustment of the distributor and ignition timing, draining and flushing of the fuel system, and replacement of the battery.