Delahaye 178 Coach par Vanvooren – 1949

US registration title, customs cleared in Europe
Sold without contrôle technique

In the immediate post-war period, following the huge success of the 135, Delahaye decided to go all out and produce a new, very high-end car with a 4.5-litre engine to compete with Talbot and target the international market.

Due to difficult circumstances, the 175, 178 and 180 series (with different wheelbases) did not achieve the expected success.

A total of 107 cars of this type were built, including 38 Type 178s (intermediate wheelbase).


Only 25 Delahaye 4.5-litre cars remain, including seven Type 178s.

Each of these Delahaye 4.5-litre cars is unique due to its
specific features and bodywork.

In 1946, seven or eight prototype chassis were built and tested, including two for the Type 178, both equipped with racing parts such as an aluminium engine, a partitioned chassis and a racingtype differential with locks.

All the prototype chassis (except one) were t...