Delahaye Type 235 History

First shown at the Paris Auto Salon in October 1951, the Type 235 was effectively a heavily updated Type 135MS: the proven 3.557cc straight-six was retained but given a new cylinder head and three downdraught Solex carburettors (producing around 152 hp), and the whole car was reskinned in the modern full-width ponton style by chief designer Philippe Charbonneaux. Sold only as a rolling chassis, it attracted coachwork primarily from Henri Chapron, but also from Figoni, Saoutchik, and the smaller house Antem. A standardised Chapron body became available in 1953 as a response to sluggish sales.

The 235's economics were punishing: in 1952 a Chapron-bodied example cost 3,800,000 French francs — five times the price of a Citroën Traction Avant 'Big Six' and twice the price of the significantly faster Jaguar XK120. Heavy taxation on large-engined cars in post-war France further choked demand. Only 84 Type 235s were built in total before the Hotchkiss takeover in June 1954 ended production. A Chapron-bodied 235 had the distinction of setting a record in the Algiers-to-Cape Town rally, covering the route at an average speed of 182 km/h — a fitting final flourish for the marque.