It's 1938, the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit. Up against the formidable Italian Alfa Romeos and the French Talbots, seven Delahaye 135 Ss take on the world's most legendary race. And you know what? They achieve a historic one-two finish . Robert Mazaud even sets the lap record the following year in 5 minutes 12 seconds, at a mind-blowing average of 155 km/h. Just imagine: French cars crushing the European competition on the world's most prestigious circuit.

But wait, because this triumph at Le Mans is just the icing on the cake for a brand that revolutionized the French automobile industry. Today, I'm telling you the story of Delahaye , this exceptional manufacturer that embodied pre-war French genius, between revolutionary innovations and collaborations with the greatest coachbuilders of the time.

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It all began in 1894 in Tours, when Émile Delahaye , an engineer who graduated from the Imperial School of Arts and Crafts in Angers, decided to found his own car brand. And already, the man was thinking big: he didn't want to be a DIY assembler, no, he wanted 100% French. Engine, chassis, bodywork, everything was designed in France.

I love that era when French manufacturers had this pride in their national know-how. Not like today, when we put together three pieces from China, Mexico, and Romania and stick a little tricolor flag on them.

As early as 1895, Delahaye innovated with overhead valves —a revolutionary move at the time. And in 1896, barely two years after its creation, the brand was already participating in the most prestigious races like Paris-Marseille-Paris and Paris-Dieppe. Can you imagine? They weren't even three years old when they were already challenging the biggest European brands on the racetracks.

But hey, Émile Delahaye, he's getting old. In 1901, he retires, and dies in 1905. That's when the key figure in this whole story comes in: Charles Weiffenbach . In 1906, this guy takes over the management of Delahaye and will keep it for... wait for it, hang on... almost 50 years . The workers affectionately called him "Monsieur Charles," and this Monsieur Charles, he will transform Delahaye into a legend.

Innovation at the heart of French genius

In 1911, something absolutely crazy happened at Delahaye. Chief engineer Amédée Varlet —remember that name—invented and developed the very first V6 engine in automotive history . Yes, you heard that right. In 1911. With the Type 44, he released a 3.2-liter, 30° V6 with twin overhead camshafts.

To give you an idea, the V6 is the global standard today. Your Peugeot, your Renault, your Audi, there's a good chance they have a V6. Well, this technical revolution was born at Delahaye in 1911. More than 110 years ahead of its time .

And Varlet didn't stop there. This Alsatian genius also designed the "Titan" marine engine, a huge four-cylinder that powered the boat "La Dubonnet" and briefly held the world speed record on water. You see, French technical expertise was exported well beyond the automobile industry.

In 1924, a new innovation: four-wheel brakes . Once again, Delahaye was ahead of his time. When I see this, I want to say to today's manufacturers: "Look at your ancestors, they were really innovating instead of just changing the color of the rearview mirrors and calling it a revolution."

The meeting that changed everything

But in the early 1930s, disaster struck. Delahaye was on the verge of bankruptcy. Charles Weiffenbach wondered if he should stop everything. And then he had an idea: he sought advice from his friend and competitor, Ettore Bugatti . Yes, the master of Alsace himself.

This conversation with Bugatti was the turning point in Delahaye's history. The creator of the Type 35 directly influenced Weiffenbach's decision: to reorient Delahaye towards luxury and competition cars. This discussion would literally save the company and create the legend that would follow.

It's a wonderful time when competing manufacturers gave each other advice instead of suing each other over patent issues, isn't it?

The Type 135: The Art Deco Masterpiece

1935. Jean François , the new head designer, unveils what will become the brand's absolute icon: the Type 135. And here, we are talking about a masterpiece of Art Deco style. This car embodies everything that France knew how to do best: elegance, refinement, performance.

The Type 135 offered 3.2 to 3.5 liter engines developing 95 to 160 horsepower depending on the version. For the time, it was an atomic bomb on wheels. And above all, it was a hit in competition: Monte-Carlo Rally in 1937 and 1939 , victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1938, and numerous European Grand Prix.

But what makes the Type 135 truly unique is its collaboration with the most prestigious French coachbuilders. We're talking Chapron, Figoni & Falaschi, Saoutchik, Antem, Franay, Guilloré, Labourdette, and Pourtout . These guys were the Picassos of car bodywork. Every Delahaye Type 135 left their workshops like a rolling work of art.

By the way, you know what's fascinating? Back in the day, you ordered your Delahaye chassis, then went to the coachbuilder of your choice to dress your car. As a result, there are virtually no two Delahaye Type 135s that are identical. 2,592 examples were produced until 1952 , and each one was unique.

I'm telling you this, and it reminds me why I love cars from this era. Because holding a 1/43 scale Delahaye Type 135 in your hands is like experiencing all that history all at once.

That's why I opened my shop BernardMiniatures.fr. I have more than 1500 miniatures in stock, mostly 1/43 scale, specializing in vintage cars from 1950 to 1999. Well, I'm not a big site, so I often only have one or two pieces of each model, but that's also what makes it charming. I have a few Delahayes of course, but also Citroën DS, Peugeot 504, Renault Alpine, 24 Hours of Le Mans cars, rally cars... a bit of everything.

Delivery is free from 75€ in France, and I make sure to wrap everything well with bubble wrap because these little wonders break easily.

Go take a look at bernardminiatures.fr if you're interested - and you'll see, I have some gems that are really worth a look.

Now, let's talk a little more about what really made the difference at Delahaye...

Industrial diversification

Because, you see, Delahaye didn't just make luxury cars. No, no, Charles Weiffenbach had a bigger vision. The brand manufactured trucks, fire engines for the French government, industrial engines, racing boats , and even an agricultural machine called the "Sunflower plow."

I think this versatility is great. On one hand, you're producing works of art for millionaires, on the other, you're equipping French firefighters. That's what the pre-war French automobile industry was all about: custom-made AND public service.

René Dreyfus and the "Million Dollar Prize"

1937, Montlhéry circuit. Facing the ultra-dominant German Mercedes of the Nazi era , René Dreyfus, driving a Delahaye Type 145 with a 4.5-liter V12 engine developing 238 horsepower, wins the famous "Prix du Million." A challenge launched by the French government to prove that the French automobile industry could compete with Hitler's Germany.

And here, it's not just a car race we're watching; it's a technological and political duel. On one side, the Nazi industrial war machine with its supercharged Mercedes-Benzes. On the other, French know-how embodied by this Delahaye Type 145 and its driver, René Dreyfus.

Dreyfus wins. France triumphs. And when I read that, I get chills. Because this victory represents much more than a simple record: it proves that French excellence could stand up to anyone, even in the darkest moments of history.

The technical pinnacle: the Type 145

The Type 145, in fact, is the pinnacle of Delahaye art. This 4.5-liter V12 is pure technical madness. 238 horsepower at a time when most cars were capped at 50. The Type 145 dominated European competition and made German manufacturers tremble, as they believed themselves invincible.

The Delahaye V12 had that unique sound, that linear power that perfectly matched French elegance. No need to make a fuss about nothing like some, the power was there, available, and distinguished.

The end of an era

But alas, all good stories must come to an end. After the war, the automotive world changed. Custom-made luxury cars were over. Mass production arrived, and so did the democratization of the automobile. Delahaye tried to adapt, but his heart was no longer in it.

On December 31, 1954 , Charles Weiffenbach, "Monsieur Charles," personally closed the doors of the Delahaye factory. After nearly six decades at the helm of the company, he saw his brand through to the end. It was the end of an era for the prestigious French automobile industry.

Imagine the scene: this old man who dedicated his life to this brand, closing the doors of his factory one last time. It breaks my heart just thinking about it.

The Eternal Legacy

But hey, Delahaye isn't really dead. It still lives on today in our memories, in concours d'élégance where collectors compete for the last survivors, and in automotive history books.

When I look at a Delahaye Type 135, I see all of this: the innovation of Varlet's first V6, the creative genius of French coachbuilders, the victories in competition, this era when France still knew how to make the whole world dream with its automobiles.

And that's why I love these vintage cars so much. Because behind each model, there's a story, passionate people, and know-how passed down from engineer to engineer, from craftsman to craftsman.

Delahaye represented pre-war French excellence. A time when our manufacturers invented the V6, beat Mercedes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and collaborated with the greatest coachbuilders in the world. A time when the French automobile industry was still the stuff of dreams.

So the next time you come across a Delahaye in a museum or a concours d'élégance, take the time to stop. Look closely at those lines, that elegance, that presence. And remember that behind this beauty lies the entire history of French automotive genius.

This is why Delahaye remains, even today, the symbol of what France did best: combining technical innovation, artistic elegance, and sporting performance. A legacy we can be proud of, and one that still gives me goosebumps every time I talk about it.