1949 Delahaye Type 175 Cabriolet

After World War II, Delahaye returned to automobile manufacturing by re-introducing their pre-war Type 135. It was a 6-cylinder model displacing 3557cc and offered in three states of tune. It was joined by the larger-engined Type 175, which in addition to a 4453cc inline 6-cylinder engine was fitted with hydraulic brakes, a deDion axle, and an available electric Cotal gearbox.

Though not known for sure, it is believed that between 46 and 50 175 chassis were built from 1947 to 1950. Ten of the cars were built in left-hand drive specifically for the American market. Each of these cars was made-to-order by French coachbuilders and had individual details in design.

Chassis 815028
This 175 S is one of the ten left-hand drive models. It is a 4-seater convertible that was called 'Le Dandy' by the coachbuilder Henri Chapron. The name was later used for a custom body on the Citroen DS platform, unrelated to this car.

The original owner of this car is not known. It did, however, go to America. In 1959 Mr. J.H. Caperton of Louisville, Kentucky purchased this Delahaye from A.F. Loyens of The Netherlands. It is thought that Mr. Caperton went to New York, to which the car was shipped from Europe, and drove it back home to Kentucky. It is believed that while in Mr. Caperton's ownership, some restoration work was done on the car during his ownership. It was next known to be the property of Mr. Earl Brown of Prospect, Kentucky in whose hands the American Delahaye Club showed the car in 1964. Mr. Louis Cardello of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania bought the 175S from Mr. Brown in late 1982 or early 1983. It was next purchased by Al McEwan and **** Hooper in November of 1983. The new owners sent the Delahaye to Lou DeLong of Lodi, Ohio for a full restoration and upon completion, the Delahaye made its show debut at the 1985 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It won a Second in Class prize as well as being nominated for the Most Elegant Convertible award. The car returned to the Pebble Beach Concours in 1992 for the celebrations of Delahaye as the featured marque.

In late 1996, Mr. Charles H. Morse purchased the car from McEwan and Hooper. Mr. Morse used the car for extensive touring for a number of years. In the early 2000s, it was purchased by the current owner.

In the current ownership, the car was given a restoration in 2004 during which the interior and soft top were changed to their current colors. It returned once again to Pebble Beach in that year, winning 2nd in the Grand Touring Postwar class; the Delahaye has covered a mere 2,000 miles since the completion of the work.

The car is finished in two-tone Terra Cotta paint and tonal Terra Cotta leather interior. The car has a three-position top giving the driver the option of a fully closed conveyance, a 'coupe de ville' open front section or a fully open convertible.

There are pleated front seats with center armrest. There are ribbed chrome bezels on the two major gauges, chromed knobs and rich wood trim. There is also deeply plated chrome trim.

Along with awards at Pebble Beach, the car has won awards at Meadow Brook, Newport Beach, Keels and Wheels and many others.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2013