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No more than a dozen or so of these 4.5-liter V12s were constructed and fewer remain today. The 'Million Franc Car' with its cigar-shaped bodywork is still accounted for, and at least three other 145 models. Two Coupes were bodied by Henri Chapron, one carries chassis number 48772 and the other is 48773. Both of these Chapron Coupes were on display at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where Delahaye was the featured marque. Both currently reside in the same stable.
48772 was commissioned during the late 1930s, but it was not completed for many years due to the onset of World War II and the buyer having payment issues. In 1951, the chassis was married to its body and sent to its owner in New York. The owner entered it into competition and by the close of the season, the engine required a rebuild. The work was never completed and the car remained in need of repair for twenty years. It was just a matter of time before this masterpiece was re-assembled and given the care it deserves. It has been treated to a complete restoration and in 2004, it was sold at Retromobile.
This Delahaye 145, chassis 48773, was originally built alongside three other open race cars owned by the Ecurie Bleue racing team, and it was driven by Rene Dreyfus and Louis Chiron in the 1938 and 1939 European racing seasons. Once its competitive career ended, the chassis was purchased by Henri Chapron in 1947, and this grand touring coupe-style body was built to replace the earlier racing style. Although similar to the first car, there are a few differences, such as a two-tone paint scheme and a full-frame rear window. 48772 has a smaller window in the rear divided into two down the middle. The biggest difference is under the hood. 48773 is powered by a Type 165 4.5-liter, V12 engine which was given performance-tuned features to match its sporty persona. The car is equipped with a multi-plate clutch and an upgraded crankshaft. Both coupes have similar shapes and extensive use of decorative chrome.
This car participated in the 1948 Rally de Lorraine. It was later purchased by Fritz Schlumpf, who placed it in his museum in Mulhouse. Some years later, Ed Andrews of Chicago bought the car, and in 1983 it went to Bill Jacobs Jr., who had it restored in 1984. Upon completion, it was shown at the 1985 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It would return in 2006, alongside its sister car, where Delahaye was the featured marque.
The Delahaye arrived at the Mullin Museum in 2003 and has been shown at many major concours around the world.
48772 was commissioned during the late 1930s, but it was not completed for many years due to the onset of World War II and the buyer having payment issues. In 1951, the chassis was married to its body and sent to its owner in New York. The owner entered it into competition and by the close of the season, the engine required a rebuild. The work was never completed and the car remained in need of repair for twenty years. It was just a matter of time before this masterpiece was re-assembled and given the care it deserves. It has been treated to a complete restoration and in 2004, it was sold at Retromobile.
This Delahaye 145, chassis 48773, was originally built alongside three other open race cars owned by the Ecurie Bleue racing team, and it was driven by Rene Dreyfus and Louis Chiron in the 1938 and 1939 European racing seasons. Once its competitive career ended, the chassis was purchased by Henri Chapron in 1947, and this grand touring coupe-style body was built to replace the earlier racing style. Although similar to the first car, there are a few differences, such as a two-tone paint scheme and a full-frame rear window. 48772 has a smaller window in the rear divided into two down the middle. The biggest difference is under the hood. 48773 is powered by a Type 165 4.5-liter, V12 engine which was given performance-tuned features to match its sporty persona. The car is equipped with a multi-plate clutch and an upgraded crankshaft. Both coupes have similar shapes and extensive use of decorative chrome.
This car participated in the 1948 Rally de Lorraine. It was later purchased by Fritz Schlumpf, who placed it in his museum in Mulhouse. Some years later, Ed Andrews of Chicago bought the car, and in 1983 it went to Bill Jacobs Jr., who had it restored in 1984. Upon completion, it was shown at the 1985 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It would return in 2006, alongside its sister car, where Delahaye was the featured marque.
The Delahaye arrived at the Mullin Museum in 2003 and has been shown at many major concours around the world.
This is one of four cars built for the Ecurie Bleue racing team that was owned by Lucy Schell and competed in 1938 and 1939. It is built on a Type 145 racing chassis with a Type 165 4.5-liter V12 engine developing 184 horsepower, and a four-speed manual transmission with four-wheel mechanically operated ventilated drum brakes. After several races and just before the war broke out, the Ecurie Bleue team decided to sell the car, and it was one of two Type 145s bought by Henri Chapron in order to create his own grand touring coupes. His work was interrupted by the war but when the coachwork was completed in 1947 the car was bought by a M. Vanpoucque. William Procter of Procter & Gamble Company was its next owner in 1951, and he brought the car to the United States. Subsequent owners included Bob Grier, Lew Gotthainer, and Count Hubertus von Doenhoff. Mr. Peter Mullin added the Delahaye to his collection in 2004.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
Recent Sales of the Delahaye Type 145
(Data based on Model Year 1937 sales)
Delahaye Type 145s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1937 Delahaye Type 145's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
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1937 Delahaye Type 145
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