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Cars From the Vault: 1953 Delahaye

Petersen-1953-Delahaye-Type-178-Chapron-40 If you didn’t know better you’d probably make the mistake of placing this 1953 Delahaye as being from the ‘30s. Although dated for its time, Delahaye had its reasons. When the well-off choose to display their wealth sometimes making an old-fashioned statement is called for - and the extravagance of this Delahaye suited that job to a tee. “No shrinking violets for this car,” says Petersen’s Curator Leslie Kendall, “This is a rub it in your face kind of a car.” Petersen-1953-Delahaye-Type-178-Chapron-08 “This is the automotive equivalent of haute couture,” explains Kendall. In fact, many Delahaye owners of the time took part in Concours d’Elegance exhibitions while wearing matching couture outfits. Just like high fashion, Delahaye’s weren’t cars you just bought off the rack. Delahaye built the running parts and customers had to order the body separately from a contracted coachbuilder. With a catalog of designs to choose from, each fitting a slight Delahaye family resemblance, coachbuilder’s individual styles had an influence as well. Petersen-1953-Delahaye-Type-178-Chapron-L61 This particular 1953 Delahaye Type 178 Cabriolet was built by Henri Chapron. Featuring seperated fenders, a vertically-oriented front grill and a three-position top with striking Landel iron hinges; all elements indicative of much earlier designs. The rear seat is slightly raised, making it an ideal car to be chauffered in. Petersen-1953-Delahaye-Type-178-Chapron-L72 Not everything about the car is dated however. Making this particular model for sale in US markets, Delahaye sold Type 178 with a much larger 4.5L engine than in the gas-taxed Type 135 sold in Europe. The 178’s six-cylinder produced a respectable 140 horsepower and was connected to an innovative Cotal electromagnetic transmission. Somewhere between a manual and automatic, the Cotal could be shifted between driving gears without using the clutch. Petersen-1953-Delahaye-Type-178-Chapron-L30 While a sophisticated chassis for its time, Kendall notes that, “I’d much rather watch one drive by than drive one.” Having a marvelous, and definitely French presence he says, “People marvel when they see this car.” Petersen-1953-Delahaye-Type-178-Chapron-56 A component of its draw is the striking two-tone paint scheme. While most of these cars originally featured at least mild two-tone paint, this particular car was black when the Petersen Museum acquired it. “I’m all for subtlety,” notes Kendall, “but this car is not what you use to talk about subtlety.” So an original two-tone paint scheme was added into the restoration – and the lines, although a little busy, flow together with the curves perfectly. Petersen-1953-Delahaye-Type-178-Chapron-L43 A true French lady, this one is. Each time I head down to The Vault below the Petersen Automotive Museum, I’m surprised be a new story a car has to tell, and this elegant Chapron-bodied Delahye is no different. Enjoy the gallery and check out The Vault for yourself during a special tour at the Petersen. id 17706 Words: Kristin Cline | Photos: Tim Sutton
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