Despite being the third entry in this series of articles, the 1936 Delahaye 135S is my sentimental favorite ahead of RM Auctions Paris Gala on February 5th.
Online bidding is available – with full details near bottom of this article.
French Racing Blue might be the subliminal theme of the auction, which also includes 50-plus legendary racecars and priceless classics.
You can sense the excitement in the preview program for this Delahaye in particular.
Another close favorite in this genre is the Gordini 53S – featured in a previous article here. The video of the Gordini at full throttle is amazing – about 40 seconds in.
Excerpted 135S Bio from RM Auctions
Paris – 5 February 2014 -Lot 37 -1936 Delahaye 135 S
To be auctioned on Wednesday, February 5, 2014
€1.000.000 – €1.500.000
- Chassis no. 47187
Est. 160 bhp 3,557 cc inline six-cylinder engine, four-speed Cotal racing gearbox, independent front suspension with transverse leaf springs and Raxef friction dampers, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and Raxef friction dampers, and Duo-servo four-wheel cable-operated light alloy drum brakes. Wheelbase: 2,700 mm
Unbroken ownership since new
Painstakingly accurate restoration by marque experts in France
One of only 16 examples constructed
Extensively raced in period, including First Place at the 1936 24 Hours of Spa
Perfectly sorted mechanically and delivered with valid FIA HTP
Exterior Photos – Courtesy of RM Auctions
Mechanical Photos – Courtesy of RM Auctions
Interior Photos – Courtesy of RM Auctions
Official Release from RM Auctions below.
EXCITEMENT BUILDS AS RM PREPARES FOR MAGNIFICENT 2014 PARIS SALE DURING RETROMOBILE WEEK – Paris
· In excess of 50 spectacular cars to be offered at RM’s Paris sale on 5 February 2014
· Outstanding selection of cars from across all sectors of the collector car market
· With a focus on quality, the average value across all individual lots exceeds €500,000
· Complete digital catalogue now available online at www.rmauctions.com
LONDON (9 January, 2014) – RM Auctions, the world’s largest collector car auction house for investment-quality automobiles, is preparing to conduct its inaugural sale in Paris, from 4–5 February 2014, during the world famous Retromobile week. The auction at Place Vauban is highly anticipated by the entire collector car community, as in excess of 50 stunning cars prepare to cross the podium at what is set to become another exciting fixture in RM’s annual European auction calendar.
RM Auctions PARIS 2014 Lambo Countach Sculpture 1 GIF.gif
With an average value across all lots exceeding €500,000, the auction clearly features an outstanding selection of cars, with each having been carefully selected by RM in order to offer the finest possible quality to the market.
The sale’s catalogue presents the best examples of racing, sports, and touring cars from both the pre- and post-war periods, and it promises to offer a stunning collection that will excite enthusiasts and collectors from across the globe.
Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM Europe, says: “As ever, our objective for the Paris sale has been to bring together cars of exceptional quality. We look for only the best examples and aim to offer cars that will appeal to all areas of the market. I’m delighted to say that our catalogue for the Paris auction features more than 50 of the best fresh-to-market cars, and the sale will be a great curtain raiser to our 2014 European calendar”.
Featuring some of the best racing cars to be offered in recent years, the previously announced Harburg Competition Car Collection offers incredible Porsche lots such as the 1973 ex-Works 917/30 Can-Am Spyder, a 1982 ex-Works 956 Group C Sports-Prototype, and a 1964 904 Carrera GTS, along with a 1955 Jaguar D-Type and a 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider. The Paris sale also features an ex-Works 2008 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Le Mans Prototype; this is a car which has finished 2nd at Le Mans and which is being offered for sale direct by the Peugeot Factory.
The auction also features some stunning examples of sports and touring cars from many of the world’s most desirable marques, including Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and Porsche. Alfa Romeo is also a particularly prevalent marque within the sale, with no less than eight examples on offer, ranging from a lovely 1966 Giulia Super ‘Polizia’ (€15.000–€20.000) to a purposeful 1980 179B Formula One car (€90.000–€130.000). Other highly sought-after Alfa Romeos on offer include a 1948 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport Coupé (€300.000–€ 400.000), a 1956 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Berlina (€15.000–€20.000), a 1962Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider (€80.000–€110.000), a 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Cabriolet (€250.000– €320.000), a 1952 Alfa Romeo 1900C Sprint (€190.000–€240.000); and a 1947 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Sport Cabriolet (€250.000–€350.000).
One of the star lots of the auction, and certainly one of the most desirable of all pre-war cars, is the 1936 Delahaye 135 S, chassis 47187, which features coachwork in the style of O. Lecanu-Deschamps.
It is one of only sixteen examples constructed, and it boasts unbroken ownership from new and a painstakingly accurate restoration by marque experts in France. It also has an extensive race history, which includes participation at the 1936 24 Hours of Spa, where it finished in 1st place (€1.000.000–€1.500.000).
Additional notable lots include:
· 1990 Ferrari F40 (€450.000–€ 500.000)
· 1938 Lagonda V-12 Drophead Coupé (€350.000–€400.00)
· 1971 Ferrari Dino 246 GT (€180.000–€220.000)
· 2010 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport (€975.000–€1.100.000)
· 2010 Ferrari 599XX (€800.000–€1.100.000)
· 1940 Horch 853A Sportcabriolet (€800.000–€1.000.000)
· 1983 Lancia 037 Group B (€390.000–€460.000)
· 1957 Lancia Aurelia B24S Convertible (€ 225.000–€275.000)
· 1937 SS 100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Roadster (€300.000–€360.000)
RM’s inaugural Paris auction will be held at Place Vauban immediately after the International Automobile Festival, which is taking place from 29 January to 2 February 2014. This exciting event will gather a stunning display of beautiful concept cars and pay tribute to car designers from around the world. (www.festivalautomobile.com)
RM Auctions Paris – Event Details
Sale dates: February 5; auction commences at 7:00 p.m. CETPreview dates: February 4–5; see website for time details
Location: Place Vauban, Paris, 75007 France
Admission: The purchase of an official auction catalogue for €100 admits two to the previews, reception, and auction. Bidder registration is €120 and includes an auction catalogue and admission for two to the previews, reception, and auction.
For those unable to attend the event in person, Internet, absentee, and phone bidding options are available, and the auction will stream live at rmauctions.com to provide real-time coverage of the sale.
For further sale information, or to view the catalogue, please visit www.rmauctions.com or call RM’s London office.
All Images Courtesy of RM Auctions. Thankyou.
Trying to improve image attribution and citations with Photographer credits, but it is not always easy.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
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