1936 Delahaye Type 135 Speciale Evocation

Lot details
Registration No: 334 LPA
Chassis No: 46328
Mot Expiry: Exempt

- An evocation of one of the greatest pre-WW2 sports racing cars, the Delahaye Type 135 Speciale

- Modelled after one of the 1936/37 Ecurie Bleue Team Cars to which he had access, this highly authentic evocation was constructed by marque enthusiast Jacques Capoulade during the 1980s using genuine Delahaye components

- Previously campaigned to great effect at Montlhery, Nurburgring, Silverstone, Brno, Donington and on the Mille Miglia Storica

Inspired by the eighteen Type 135 Speciale racers built between 1935 and 1937 which distinguished themselves on events such as the Grand Prix de l'A.C.F, Spa 24-hours, RAC Tourist Trophy, Grand Prix de Pau, Mille Miglia, and Donington 12-hours before winning the 1938 Le Mans 24-hours outright, chassis 46328 began life as a 1936 Delahaye Type 132 but was reconfigured in the style of a Type 135 Speciale during the 1980s. Highly authentic, the transformation was carried out by then custodian Jacques Capoulade and included shortening the car's wheelbase from 2.86m to the correct 2.70m. Modelled after one of the 1936/7 Ecurie Bleue team cars to which Monsieur Capoulade had access, the Evocation's appropriately hued two-seater aluminium bodywork is punctuated by a plethora of louvers, Marchal headlamps, twin aeroscreens, bonnet slats and dual fuel fillers etc. Accessed via two diminutive doors the interior plays host to red leather upholstery and a bank of Jaegar instruments. Fitted with such correct-type goodies as an alloy cylinder head, individual exhaust header manifold, quick-fill rocker box cover and triple side-draught Solex carburettors, the Type 103 3.6 litre straight-six engine is mated to four-speed Hotchkiss manual transmission. Acquired in 1990 by well-known historic racer / collector Robin Lodge whose stable has also housed a Lancia D50, Ferrari 246 F1, Ferrari 250 GT SWB and Maserati 250F etc, the Delahaye soon had its mettle tested.

Competing very successfully with the Historic Grand Prix Cars Association amongst others at the likes of Montlhery, Nurburgring, Silverstone, Brno and Donington etc (not to mention participating in several Mille Miglia retrospectives), chassis 46328 was maintained by Tony Merrick and Steve Hart Racing during Mr Lodge's ownership. Though, from the late 1990s onwards it was predominantly enjoyed as a fast road car. Bought by its previous keeper during 2011, the Delahaye was entrusted to Peter Jaye for minor fettling and Pace Products for new gearbox internals. Successfully completing the 2013 Paris to Madrid Rally with journalist Peter Hall at the wheel, the two-seater also won its class at the 2014 Mdina Grand Prix historic meeting. Entering the current ownership some three years ago, `334 LPA' has proven a thrilling road car. Improved following attention to its brakes, hydraulic shock absorbers and cooling system, the Delahaye is only being offered for sale because the vendor is looking to rationalise his collection. More authentic than many such evocations, this stunning looking machine exudes a light patina in keeping with the age of its transformation and indeed has been described by marque authority Andre Vaucourt as `a very good looking replica, probably one of the best'. Riding on Blockley tyres, it is offered for sale with a UK V5C registration document, copies of Delahaye's original chassis drawings for its competition cars, other marque related paperwork, expired FIA Historic Vehicle Identity Forms (in both French and English), numerous invoices and a worthwhile spares package comprising an engine block (complete with crankshaft), new alloy cylinder head, cast iron cylinder head, two Cotal electromagnetic gearboxes (one dismantled) and several brake drums etc.

PLEASE NOTE: The Estimate for this Lot is now £140,000 - 160,000.