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1949 Delahaye Type 175

Delahaye was one of the world's earliest automobile manufacturers with a history that dates to 1845 when it was established in Tours and later relocated to Paris, France. They built its first horseless carriage in 1894 and diversification into commercial vehicles brought success, stability, and longevity. The company's place in history was cemented in 1935 with the introduction of the Type 135, breaking from its reputation for reliable but somewhat uninspiring prior designs, and embracing a more luxurious and sporty persona. Its early success in the challenging Alpine Rally earned the nickname, the 'Coupe des Alpes.' Accomplishments in motorsports include a victory in the 1937 Monte Carlo Rally and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1938.

1949 Delahaye Type 175 photo
Roadster by Saoutchik
Chassis #: 815023
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
The chassis of the Delahaye 135 was designed by engineer Jean François and the inline six-cylinder engine with modern overhead-valve architecture initially displaced 3.2-liters. Displacement quickly grew to 3.6 liters, and horsepower rose as well. The potent engine complemented the sporty characteristics of the chassis, including the independent front suspension, low ride height, and streamlined coachwork.

Production of the Type 135 continued through 1954.

Delahaye Type 165

1949 Delahaye Type 175 photo
Roadster by Saoutchik
Chassis #: 815023
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Auction entries : 1
Two identical Type 165s were built by Figoni & Falaschi in 1938, with one being displayed at the Paris Salon and the other at the French Pavilion at the New York World Fair. The Type 165 was built on a Type 145 racing chassis and powered by an aluminum twelve-cylinder, 4.5-liter engine with a trio of downdraft Solex carburetors.

It is believed that a total of four Type 165 were built.

Delahaye Type 175

1949 Delahaye Type 175 photo
Roadster by Saoutchik
Chassis #: 815023
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
The Delahaye Type 175 rested on a semi-monocoque chassis with a 2.95-meter wheelbase (the same as the Type 135) and an overall length of 4.62 meters. Under its bonnet was an enlarged and improved 4.5-liter version of the firm's tried-and-true straight-six paired with a four-speed pre-selector (Cotal) transmission. The model range, which included the 178 and 180, was built specifically for the burgeoning North American market. It was the first Delahaye model to offer left-hand drive.

Development work for the Type 175 began in the pre-war era, but was halted due to the onset of World War II. Initially, the Type 175 was to debut in October 1939 at the Paris Auto Salon, but the venue canceled without notice due to an impending German invasion. The unexpected death of chief design-engineer Jean Francois in April 1944 further delayed development. Approximately six pre-production examples were built by 1946 for experimentation and testing purposes (numbered 90001; 91001; 91002; 92001, and 92002. The other example - the Paris Auto Salon show chassis (the fourth of the six built) - was not numbered and not operational. The cars with the '920' prefix were the Type 178.) Additionally, there was the prototype that was shown to the shareholding directors in March 1944 for production approval.

Beginning in early 1948, production of the Type 175 was formally recorded, lasting to mid-1951, with approximately 107 examples built, including the sequentially longer wheelbased Types 178 and 180 (the Type 178 had a 3.15-meter wheelbase chassis and the Type 180 chassis measured 3.35 meters). It is believed that 51 examples were the Type 175, with most receiving the optional Type 175 S specification. Thirty-eight examples were Type 178 cars, and eighteen were Type 180 models.

Mechanical Specification

1949 Delahaye Type 175 photo
Roadster by Saoutchik
Chassis #: 815023
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
Both the Type 165 and 175 were powered by 4.5-liter engines, however, the Type 165 had 12 cylinders while the Type 175 had six. The Type 183 inline-6 engine had a familiar design to Delahaye's workers, and with six fewer cylinders, it weighed less and occupied less space. It had overhead valves, seven main bearings, and a twelve port cylinder head. Comparatively, the engine of the Type 135 had four main bearings, a nine-port cylinder head, and a cast-iron block. The 4.5-liter engine had a cast-aluminum block with a cast-iron head with a copper and asbestos head-gasket in-between. The Type 175 received one Solex carburetor and 6.5:1, while the Type 175S had higher compression, three Solex carburetors, and wire wheels.

The chassis was new and state-of-the-art, with the cockpit floor welded as a stressed structural member on the bottom (instead of the top) of the chassis. Its parallel side-rails were boxed rather than open channels. The overall structure was larger and heavier than the Type 135, with different frame rail configurations than the Type 135, 145, 148L and 165, and a new and sophisticated suspension system. The Type 135, 145, 148, 155, and 165 shared an independent front setup with Delage, while the Type 175 embraced the Dubonnet system. It was comprised of an independent front setup with horizontally pivoting cylindrical housings containing hydraulic shock absorbers and coil springs in an oil-bath Dubonnet. The rear suspension had a deDion axle with semi-elliptic springs. Large diameter, finned drum brakes on a dual Lockheed hydraulic system provided the stopping power for the eighteen-inch wheels. The four-speed, semi-automatic Cotal transmission was manufactured by MAAG.

Design

1949 Delahaye Type 175 photo
Roadster by Saoutchik
Chassis #: 815023
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
In-house industrial designer Philippe Charbonneaux created the modern, postwar, frontal design while the bodies were built by coachbuilders. The elongated, heart-shaped grille incorporated horizontal bars and was flanked on each side by low horizontal grilles. Coachbuilders who created bodies for the Type 175 included Jacques Saoutchik, Marcel Pourtout, Henri Chapron, and Joseph Figoni.

Issues

'Tried-and-true' methodology means embracing stability at the expense of innovation. The chassis, suspension, and engine of the Type 175 were new and modern, and it was considerably more sophisticated than its Type 135 predecessor, but it came at a cost, with its reputation crippled by unforeseen issues. The heavy chassis often received heavy coachwork, adversely affecting the handling. Acceleration and top speed were affected and contributed to mechanical failures, including suspension components. Additionally, the inferior quality of high-tensile-strength steel in the early postwar era played a role in damaging the company's reputation. The Dubonnet system was a frequent victim, which proved problematic if not fastidiously maintained. Delahaye was obliged to buy back several chassis to appease customers, salvage their reputation, and ward off litigation.

1949 Delahaye Type 175 photo
Roadster by Saoutchik
Chassis #: 815023
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
Production delays and mechanical issues hindered the success of the Type 175 in the marketplace.

Moving Forward

When production of the Types 175, 178 and 180 ceased in 1951, the company introduced an updated variation dubbed the Type 235. First shown at the Paris Auto Salon in 1951, it introduced the full-width front designed by chief designer Philippe Charbonneaux complemented by modern ponton-style coachwork. Power was courtesy of the 3.6-liter (3,557cc) straight-6 engine from the 135MS, and the wheelbase measured 116 inches. Despite its modern and stylish appearance, it continued to rely on pre-war technology, its coachwork was heavy, and it was very expensive. A weak economy coupled with high taxation on large-engined cars in post-war France soon brought an end to this distinguished marque.


by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2023

1949 Delahaye Type 175 Vehicle Profiles

1949 Delahaye Type 175 vehicle information
Cabriolet

Coachwork: Henri Chapron
Chassis #: 815028
Engine #: 815028
1949 Delahaye Type 175 vehicle information
Coupe de Ville

Coachwork: Saoutchik
Chassis #: 815044
1949 Delahaye Type 175 vehicle information
Roadster

Coachwork: Saoutchik
Chassis #: 815023

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Type 175

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
116.00 in.
6 cyl., 274.61 CID.
6 cyl., 274.61 CID., 220.00hp
116.00 in.
6 cyl., 271.86 CID., 125.00hp

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