Delahaye 235
Encyclopedia
Delahaye 235 is a luxury car built by French manufacturer Delahaye
from 1951 until 1954.
Presented at the 1951 Paris Auto Salon, the 235 was an attempt at updating the pre-war Type 135
for the 1950s. Delahaye did need a boost, as combined production of the Types 135 and 175 (and long wheelbase 178/180) had dropped to an abysmal 77 by 1951. Most noticeable was the new modern ponton-style bodywork, with the full width front designed by chief designer Philippe Charbonneaux
. The mechanics were credited to Fernand Lacour. The prototypes body was manufactured by Motto in Italy, and a total of 84 Types 235 were built. The 235 was originally sold only in chassis form and received bodywork from various coachbuilders, mainly Henri Chapron
, but also from Figoni, Saoutchik
, Antem, and others. The company's own business premises at the rue de Banquier in Paris were never tooled up to build car bodies for the 235, but in 1953, as a response to sluggish sales, a standardised "factory" bodywork ("un coach d'usine") from Chapron became available, at 2,700,000 Francs a saving of nearly thirty percent on the bespoke coach-built versions.
The engine was the well known 3.6 liter inline six from the 135MS, here with three downdraught Solex
carburettors and 152 hp at 4,200 rpm. The 235 effectively replaced the larger Type 175
in the marketplace, while the lesser 135M continued to be available until 1954. Top speed was around 170 kilometre per hour. The brakes received a lot of criticism, as did fuel consumption; both issues arose largely due to the very heavy bodywork produced by the French coachbuilders who weren't as technologically advanced as their transalpine cousins.
The 235 appeared too late to have much effect on Delahaye's fortunes, still relying on 1930s technology in spite of its stylish and modern appearance. Not only was the 235 extremely expensive, a Chapron-bodied 235 going for 3,800,000 Francs, five times the price of a Citroën 15CV 'Big Six'
and twice that of the much faster Jaguar XK120
in 1952, but the weak economy and steep taxation on large engined cars in post-war France also conspired to finish this fine old manufacturer. After the Delahaye VLR "Jeep" was passed over by the French army in favour of license built Hotchkiss
Jeeps, Hotchkiss took over Delahaye in June 1954 and production of Delahaye cars ended shortly thereafter. 235s last appeared at the Paris Salon in 1954, to sell of the remaining stock, and another grande marque met its end.
Delahaye
Delahaye automobile manufacturing company was started by Emile Delahaye in 1894, in Tours, France. His first cars were belt-driven, with single- or twin-cylinder engines. In 1900, Delahaye left the company.-History:...
from 1951 until 1954.
Presented at the 1951 Paris Auto Salon, the 235 was an attempt at updating the pre-war Type 135
Delahaye 135
Delahaye 135 was an automobile manufactured by Delahaye. Designed by young engineer Jean François, it was produced from 1935 until 1954 in many different body styles...
for the 1950s. Delahaye did need a boost, as combined production of the Types 135 and 175 (and long wheelbase 178/180) had dropped to an abysmal 77 by 1951. Most noticeable was the new modern ponton-style bodywork, with the full width front designed by chief designer Philippe Charbonneaux
Philippe Charbonneaux
Philippe Charbonneaux was a French industrial designer, best known for automobile and truck design, but also known for other products such as television sets. Many of his works are now exhibits in places such as Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, or Museum of Modern Art in New York. He specialised...
. The mechanics were credited to Fernand Lacour. The prototypes body was manufactured by Motto in Italy, and a total of 84 Types 235 were built. The 235 was originally sold only in chassis form and received bodywork from various coachbuilders, mainly Henri Chapron
Henri Chapron
Henri Chapron was a prominent French automobile coachbuilder. His atelier, created in 1919, was located in the Paris suburb of Levallois-Perret....
, but also from Figoni, Saoutchik
Saoutchik
Founded by cabinet maker Jacques Saoutchik , Saoutchik was a top-class French coachbuilding company founded in 1906. In the 1930s the company became famous for their high quality and often extravagant designs. After Jacques died in 1955, the company passed into the hands of his son Pierre...
, Antem, and others. The company's own business premises at the rue de Banquier in Paris were never tooled up to build car bodies for the 235, but in 1953, as a response to sluggish sales, a standardised "factory" bodywork ("un coach d'usine") from Chapron became available, at 2,700,000 Francs a saving of nearly thirty percent on the bespoke coach-built versions.
The engine was the well known 3.6 liter inline six from the 135MS, here with three downdraught Solex
Solex
Solex was a French manufacturer of carburetors and the powered bicycle VéloSoleX.The Solex company was founded by Marcel Mennesson and Maurice Goudard to manufacture vehicle radiators...
carburettors and 152 hp at 4,200 rpm. The 235 effectively replaced the larger Type 175
Delahaye 175
Delahaye 175 was an automobile manufactured by Delahaye between 1947 and 1951. The last of the large Delahayes, the type 175 was essentially a 135 with a larger engine and more modern suspension, with between 120 and 160 hp depending on compression and how many Solex carburettors were fitted...
in the marketplace, while the lesser 135M continued to be available until 1954. Top speed was around 170 kilometre per hour. The brakes received a lot of criticism, as did fuel consumption; both issues arose largely due to the very heavy bodywork produced by the French coachbuilders who weren't as technologically advanced as their transalpine cousins.
The 235 appeared too late to have much effect on Delahaye's fortunes, still relying on 1930s technology in spite of its stylish and modern appearance. Not only was the 235 extremely expensive, a Chapron-bodied 235 going for 3,800,000 Francs, five times the price of a Citroën 15CV 'Big Six'
Citroën Traction Avant
The Citroën Traction Avant is an automobile which was produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1934 to 1957. About 760,000 units were produced.-Impact on the world:...
and twice that of the much faster Jaguar XK120
Jaguar XK120
The Jaguar XK120 is a sports car which was manufactured by Jaguar between 1948 and 1954. It was Jaguar's first sports car since the SS 100, which ceased production in 1940.-History:...
in 1952, but the weak economy and steep taxation on large engined cars in post-war France also conspired to finish this fine old manufacturer. After the Delahaye VLR "Jeep" was passed over by the French army in favour of license built Hotchkiss
Hotchkiss et Cie
Société Anonyme des Anciens Etablissements Hotchkiss et Cie was a French arms and car company established by United States engineer Benjamin B. Hotchkiss, who was born in Watertown, Connecticut. He moved to France and set up a factory, first at Viviez near Rodez in 1867, then at Saint-Denis near...
Jeeps, Hotchkiss took over Delahaye in June 1954 and production of Delahaye cars ended shortly thereafter. 235s last appeared at the Paris Salon in 1954, to sell of the remaining stock, and another grande marque met its end.