auburnseeker 4,569 Posted May 4, 2020 Share Posted May 4, 2020 I have no Knowledge of whether this is any kind of deal or what it could actually be bought for as they say a substantial cash discount but you would have a pretty cool car after investing untold wheelbarrow loads of cash. Also not something you usually see on Craigslist. 1939 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet, one of two 1939 Letouneur et Marchand bodied 135M's and the only surviving example. 90+% complete. Sitting since 1962. Needs complete restoration. Substantial discount for cash buyer. Will also trade for land in the Canaan/Cornwall/Sharon CT area plus cash. Additional photos are available upon request. $220000 https://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/atq/d/wallingford-1939-delahaye-135m-cabriolet/7118235775.html 1 Link to post Share on other sites
gossp 508 Posted May 4, 2020 Share Posted May 4, 2020 That is a whole lot of car for Craigslist. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
alsancle 4,818 Posted May 4, 2020 Share Posted May 4, 2020 Prewar 135M is a big time car. But that car looks like it has been sitting in a rusty inducing lean to for years. I'm not sure that price is attainable at a Pebble Beach auction, let alone Craig's list. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
auburnseeker 4,569 Posted May 4, 2020 Author Share Posted May 4, 2020 Makes one wonder what a steep cash discount means? I agree looks rough, but it is nice to see something besides a hacked up normal production car for sale once in a while. Proportionately it's probably normal craigslist over pricing. Just the numbers are much bigger. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
John_Mereness 4,485 Posted May 4, 2020 Share Posted May 4, 2020 Best bring cash - it needs to have a discount off the price. Cool car, but also a very challenging car to restore matched to needing one expensive restoration. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Joe in Canada 848 Posted May 5, 2020 Share Posted May 5, 2020 (edited) Will meet at the local Walmart parking lot and bring cash! auburnseeker you are forgiven. Edited May 5, 2020 by Joe in Canada (see edit history) 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites
60FlatTop 6,247 Posted May 6, 2020 Share Posted May 6, 2020 I always tell people not to come unless they have cash to buy. It is a wonderful step toward closing the deal. "Would you like to come tomorrow? The banks are closing in about an hour." "No, I think I can make it before they close if I hurry". It makes me smile just to write that. Bernie Link to post Share on other sites
BucketofBolts 91 Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 The cost to get this vehicle up to what is normal condition for an auction? $200,000? Labor alone I opine should be over $100,000. Add that to the $220,000 demand and you are close to $500,000. Is this unit really worth that price at auction? Link to post Share on other sites
Matt Harwood 11,931 Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 I do not believe there is a financial upside to this car. Restored examples with more dramatic bodywork sell for under $200K. Link to post Share on other sites
BucketofBolts 91 Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 Maybe that listing needs to say that this was Charles de Gaulle's car that he loaned out to the French "Resistance" to help fight the Nazi occupiers in WW2. Would that get it sold for the asking price? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
JACK M 2,170 Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 Ha Ha , I just reread. I think it says "give me your house and your cash" Link to post Share on other sites
auburnseeker 4,569 Posted May 16, 2020 Author Share Posted May 16, 2020 Price drop and a new photo just posted on Craigslist. $169,900 O.B.O. Cash only. Link to post Share on other sites
auburnseeker 4,569 Posted May 16, 2020 Author Share Posted May 16, 2020 Just thought I would post it, because at any price it's more interesting than a 65 Mustang with a 6 banger. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
edinmass 11,496 Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 It’s interesting. The real value is the entertainment it brings us watching the price fall until it doesn’t sell. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
gossp 508 Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 At $4.04, I would even pay to have it shipped here, drop it in my back yard, and plant flowers in it. Would bring me more years of joy than anyone who paid to restore it could possibly expect to get. Link to post Share on other sites
John_Mereness 4,485 Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 Just a word to the wise or unwise - unless it is a million dollar car when restored or ..., you had better keep your project cars priced under 100K or be willing to sit on them for a couple years and then take the discount nevertheless. When I have people offer their "logic", I am quick to say they should do it then with their money - and then the excuses are one after the next after the next. As to the doing it for the love - well, you have to love it first and then I have to watch my feet from falling off door or fight off rats, then probably my love will probably be a little on the weak side. Link to post Share on other sites
gossp 508 Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 1 minute ago, edinmass said: One flaw with that theory.......the cost tetanus shots will give you lock jaw if the car doesn’t. when you are right, you are right. Link to post Share on other sites
auburnseeker 4,569 Posted May 16, 2020 Author Share Posted May 16, 2020 The sad part is how such a great car fell so far for so long. I suspect someone with poor storage said they were going to restore it one day. Now I'm guessing an heir is selling it. Link to post Share on other sites
auburnseeker 4,569 Posted May 16, 2020 Author Share Posted May 16, 2020 Actually the 4.04 would be a hell of a deal for a planter. Just got back from spending over $300 at the garden center on flowers and none of the pots were under $20. The nice ones were alot more. Would look cool at the end of the driveway though, but that would be another $300 in flowers. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
gossp 508 Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 The couple thousand dollars in shipping would take the economy out of the planter plan... I suppose it could be shipped open, so perhaps only one $1,004.04 plus 300 in flowers. Link to post Share on other sites
George Cole 694 Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 This same ad appeared yesterday in the Orlando, FL, Craigslist. Still asking $169,900 OBO. https://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/d/brookfield-1939-delahaye-135m-cabriolet/7125804810.html Link to post Share on other sites
BucketofBolts 91 Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 Photos (few) without any of them of the engine makes me think that the engine compartment is in a horrible condition. Is craigslist so expensive that to place more photos makes it too costly to market? The seller appears to be unfamiliar with how to sell a used classic or the seller has on his hands a rust bucket that he is trying to sell without making full disclosure. I doubt he will get an offer above $45,000. I am sure that some of the parts would be desirable, but without good photos it appears that there is more damage to be discovered. Sad that the car was stored in such poor condition for what appears to be so long a time frame. I opine that the former owner went to his grave with the thought of this car being worth more than in reality. From the look of the car I surmise that that the former owner's grave is filled with a pine box or used plywood. Reminds me of the group of old Lincoln vehicles from an Estate that sold in Marysville CA last year where the seller (Estate of the deceased) initially 2+ years ago wanted $120,000+ for the group. Once the Estate learned that no one was interested the Estate ended up selling them in an auction 18 months later for less than $20,000 and having to pay 10% to 15% commission to the auction house. I think the buyers at that auction however likely paid too much and may have buyer's remorse as the condition of those cars was very rough. Link to post Share on other sites
alsancle 4,818 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 (edited) Horrible advertisement in the wrong venue. But you guys are underestimating the car itself. It is a Letourneur et Marchand body which is much better than the run of the mill Chapron bodied cars that are plentiful. Again, seller is foolish for not pulling the car out and getting clear shots of the back and the windshield. I compare it to this Pourtout bodied car that I saw at Amelia and LOVED. Edited May 19, 2020 by alsancle (see edit history) Link to post Share on other sites
Matt Harwood 11,931 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 Here are some similar cars that have sold at auction within the past 10 years. Sale prices suggest the seller's price is off by an order of magnitude given the cost of restoration and the finished car's value. It strikes me as just another guy who lucked into something interesting, found one comp that maybe brought huge money, and decided that car collectors are just simple idiots with too much money. 1939 Delahaye 135 M Sport coupe Artcurial Feb 7, 2020 Yes $294189 View Details 1938 Delahaye 135 M Chapron three-position drophead coupe Bonhams Feb 6, 2020 Yes $259396 View Details 1939 Delahaye 135 M cabriolet RM Sotheby's Sep 21, 2019 Yes $365369 View Details 1939 Delahaye 135 M Competition Convertible Coupe Bonhams May 31, 2015 Yes $297000 View Details 1939 Delahaye 135 M roadster The Branson Auction Apr 20, 2012 Yes $205200 View Details Link to post Share on other sites
gossp 508 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 10 minutes ago, Matt Harwood said: Here are some similar cars that have sold at auction within the past 10 years. Sale prices suggest the seller's price is off by an order of magnitude given the cost of restoration and the finished car's value. It strikes me as just another guy who lucked into something interesting, found one comp that maybe brought huge money, and decided that car collectors are just simple idiots with too much money. Someone should correct him on the reality of the situation. First: we are complex idiots. Second: by the time we have enough cars to be collectors, most of the money is gone. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
alsancle 4,818 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 When doing comps you need to compare to prewar 135M specification, 4/5 passenger convertible. The 2 passenger cars will break 7 figures but there are few of those. I believe this car is worth more than the typical Chapron, but without seeing it in full view it is hard to tell. I liked my comparison to the Pourtout which brought 500k with an older restoration. My only nit, would be the front of this body style is much swoopier and probably led to the strong result. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
alsancle 4,818 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 This is a prewar L&M body on the longer eight cylinder Delage chassis. I'm thinking it might look similar to this. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
John_Mereness 4,485 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 (edited) I think we are looking at something more along these lines - the traditional Delahaye (the sporty Buick of France). And someone should have fixed the landau irons - that is what wrenches are for. 2015: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/22717/lot/236/ with sale price of $297,000 incl. premium Edited May 19, 2020 by John_Mereness (see edit history) Link to post Share on other sites
John_Mereness 4,485 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 (edited) Or this: at 575K. Edited May 19, 2020 by John_Mereness (see edit history) Link to post Share on other sites
mike6024 950 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 Has fender skirts Link to post Share on other sites
John_Mereness 4,485 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 1 minute ago, mike6024 said: Has fender skirts Well, that is better than most from the tail - add on another 50K-ish for tail end potential, but still saying owner will be hard pressed to get over 100K - maybe low 100's Link to post Share on other sites
John_Mereness 4,485 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 (edited) By the way, this "condition" will easily happen to anything stored in a crate or a trailer, especially in climates such as Florida or even Ohio where you have dramatic temperature changes that cause "sweating" - or even California where you have heat. Edited May 19, 2020 by John_Mereness (see edit history) Link to post Share on other sites
Restorer32 2,021 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 You have to admit though this car is well worth restoring if it can be bought at the right price. Link to post Share on other sites
John_Mereness 4,485 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 (edited) 27 minutes ago, mike6024 said: Yes I've heard of a car rusting away in a shipping container. That was supposed to have preserved it. This is what happens when you have sweating involved from temperature changes - common in trailer storage. The Auburn I am restoring is that way and went from one of the nicer original cars to needing every single piece totally done in a year and a half - owner expected to pull out his beautiful car out of the trailer and was instead horrified and put up for sale immediately. Edited May 19, 2020 by John_Mereness (see edit history) Link to post Share on other sites
John_Mereness 4,485 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 22 minutes ago, Restorer32 said: You have to admit though this car is well worth restoring if it can be bought at the right price. Make no mistake - all this kind of stuff gets restored. The problem is that to get restored you are investing 250K plus for a car in this condition (maybe less if you are careful, but then doing a lot of it yourself and ...). And, the money is coming out of your wallet, so would you still interested in anything other than a discount when you are paying to break even or loose money ? The logical move is to get one pretty nice and then upgrade, change its colors, and .... Link to post Share on other sites
alsancle 4,818 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 Just now, John_Mereness said: Make no mistake - all this kind of stuff gets restored. The problem is that to get restored you are investing 250K plus for a car in this condition (maybe less if you are careful, but then doing a lot of it yourself and ...). And, the money is coming out of your wallet, so would you still interested in anything other than a discount when you are paying to break even or loose money ? The logical move is to get one pretty nice and then upgrade, change its colors, and .... There are not many guys left like you John, that can GC their projects and do some of the smaller work themselves to keep the costs down. This is not a large car but there are is lots of chrome and leather and paint. A significant car that may be worthy of restoration depending on what that windshield looks like. One to two inches in greenhouse height will tell the story. The cars you posted at all Chapron or similar and lesser to this car, in my opinion. Link to post Share on other sites
John_Mereness 4,485 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 Just now, alsancle said: The cars you posted at all Chapron or similar and lesser to this car, in my opinion. Agree, its windshield height and construction will be key (hard to tell as not a full windshield shot, windows partially down, and top down too). I was impressed by its tail (at least from a side view), but still not leaning toward a take your breath away swoopy affair - it leans toward the generics. Possibly could pull a class win at such as Pebble Beach - but a gamble. And could win at any other concours, but still a gamble there too. And, it gets more and more hard by the day for even me to deal with these kind of projects - and I even have my support network. Link to post Share on other sites
mike6024 950 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 Windshield is folded down? Link to post Share on other sites
alsancle 4,818 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 1 hour ago, mike6024 said: need to see the back. The L&M car looks to have a long back side like the Portout. Link to post Share on other sites
alsancle 4,818 Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 56 minutes ago, mike6024 said: Totally wrong http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/delahaye/135m/2076627.html I think the L&M car has a more attractive back side. But the Figoni car has the more pronounced fenders in front as well as the magic name. It gives you a good idea of upper bound on full retail for a fully restored similar car. Link to post Share on other sites
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