1952 Delahaye 235 Coupe
Representing the swan song of French luxury coachbuilding, the 1952 Delahaye 235 Coupe by Saoutchik stands as one of the most spectacular automotive designs of the post-war era. This specific example is one of just two flamboyant coupes created by the legendary Carrosserie J. Saoutchik on Delahaye’s final luxury platform.
The Saoutchik coupe featured audacious modern styling with its dramatic fastback profile, large three-section curved rear window, and pillarless design that created an exceptionally airy greenhouse effect. Distinctive details included headlights integrated into the fender tops, fog lights mounted below, and elegant chromed notches in the rear fins, a sophisticated nod to contemporary Pininfarina styling themes
A refined 3.6-liter inline six-cylinder engine delivered 152 horsepower at 4,200 rpm through triple downdraft Solex carburettors. Only 84 examples of the 235 were produced before Delahaye ceased automotive production in 1954, making this one of the rarest expressions of French automotive artistry.
The model proved too expensive for post-war market conditions, costing five times more than a Citroën and twice the price of a Jaguar XK120.
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