auburnseeker 3,971 Posted May 4 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gossp 397 Posted May 4 That is a whole lot of car for Craigslist. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alsancle 3,173 Posted May 4 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
auburnseeker 3,971 Posted May 4 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John_Mereness 3,700 Posted May 4 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joe in Canada 746 Posted May 5 (edited) Will meet at the local Walmart parking lot and bring cash! auburnseeker you are forgiven. Edited May 5 by Joe in Canada (see edit history) 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
60FlatTop 5,680 Posted May 6 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BucketofBolts 65 Posted May 7 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? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt Harwood 10,071 Posted May 7 I do not believe there is a financial upside to this car. Restored examples with more dramatic bodywork sell for under $200K. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BucketofBolts 65 Posted May 7 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JACK M 1,826 Posted May 7 Ha Ha , I just reread. I think it says "give me your house and your cash" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
auburnseeker 3,971 Posted May 16 Price drop and a new photo just posted on Craigslist. $169,900 O.B.O. Cash only. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
auburnseeker 3,971 Posted May 16 Just thought I would post it, because at any price it's more interesting than a 65 Mustang with a 6 banger. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edinmass 5,872 Posted May 16 It’s interesting. The real value is the entertainment it brings us watching the price fall until it doesn’t sell. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gossp 397 Posted May 16 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John_Mereness 3,700 Posted May 16 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gossp 397 Posted May 16 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
auburnseeker 3,971 Posted May 16 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
auburnseeker 3,971 Posted May 16 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gossp 397 Posted May 17 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
George Cole 57 Posted May 18 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BucketofBolts 65 Posted May 18 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alsancle 3,173 Posted May 19 (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 by alsancle (see edit history) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt Harwood 10,071 Posted May 19 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gossp 397 Posted May 19 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
