Delahaye – 135M Cabriolet

Vehicle Overview

Delahaye had no in-house coachworks, so all its chassis were bodied by independents, which created some of their most attractive designs on the Type 135. It was a most fortuitous partnership, resulting in memorable automotive sculpture from the likes of Saoutchik, Henry Chapron, Franay, Graber, Pennock, Figoni et Falaschi, and the lesser known house of Viotti. Founded in 1921 by Vittorio Viotti, his eponymous firm provided coachwork for a wide variety of manufacturers throughout the company’s relatively short history. Unique bodies were built on everything from mundane FIAT 600s to more exotic Alfa 1500s. Some of the company’s highlights included the stunning 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 with its spectacular swooping bodywork complete with fender skirts, and the bizarre Martini & Rossi publicity vehicle based on an Isotta-Fraschini, which featured an outlandish dorsal fin integrated with a bottle of liquor. During its early days Viotti employed Pietro Frua, who would go on to found his own carrozzeria in 1944, and Mario Revelli. Despite being the first Italian coachbuilder to utilize a proper production line, Viotti faltered and the establishment closed its doors in 1964.