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Topic starter
21/11/2024 9:03 am
Following Mercedes-Benz' setting of the 200 kilometre per hour record at Montlhery in 1935, the French government announced a 1,000,000 Franc prize to any French auto manufacturer who could beat it by 31st. August 1937. Initially outlined by Delahaye chief engineer, Charles Weiffenbach on a restaurant table cloth, progress on the new V12 engine was swift and the final car, with Delahaye 145 racing chassis, beat the record a mere four days ahead of the deadline, with Rene Dreyfus at the wheel. The car went on to win several Grand Prix including Pau in 1938.
Delahaye then produced the road-going 165 chassis for the new engine and first presented it at the October 1938 Paris Salon with the present body style by Figoni et Falaschi and this first example was consequently sold to an English buyer with an uncharacteristic curved, tubuler front bumper.
The second and present example was produced for the 1939 New York World's Fair - ’The World Of Tomorrow’ - where this and the Phantom Corsair were the stars of the show. The V12 engine had not, though been completed in time and the car was shown without crankshaft, pistons, rods, nor valves.
When the German army overran France the United States' Customs impounded the car on the basis of its then ownership being in doubt, (as they also did, the magnificent French liner, Normandie - despite its patently being the property of the French state).
United States' Customs sold the car at auction in 1946, to Roger Barlow who, frustrated with the search for its missing parts, installed a Cadillac engine. The car sold again in 1947 for $12,000 whereafter its history becomes unsure. The incomplete engine however remained for many years as a display at International Motors in Beverly Hills, according to Phil Hill who worked there.
In 1950 the engine was sold to Robert Grier who also owned the original V12 Delahaye 145 racing chassis (48773) along with coupe body by Chapron and engine presently undocumented, (more on 48773 in a later post). And both were sold the following year to Lou Gothainer.
In 1970 the Chapron 145 and V12 engine were acquired by Uwe Hucke of Monaco who sold both to Count Dönhoff in Germany, along with its missing parts that had been located by the dealer, separately. French auto collector, Jim Hull located the engine in 1980 and realising it was from the 1939 World’s Fair Delahaye was, the following year, able to locate the Delahaye 165 chassis and body, in Fresno. After four years’ negotiation, Jim and his partner, Peter Mullin, were able to buy the car and consequently bought the engine with a view to completing the car which they finally did in 1992, presenting the car at that year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, complete for the first time, after some fifty three years.
Below:
One of the ‘World’s Fair’ Delahaye 165 at the Figoni Et Falaschi workshop.
The first of the ‘World’s Fair’ Delahaye 165 seen at St. Cloud, Paris.
Delahaye 165 1/43 Resin “Miniatures du Chateau” by Heco.
All coments and / or corrections would be welcomed.
21/11/2024 9:58 am
Wonderful post and history Charles. This is a magnificent model. German, French rivalry and WWII certainly had a great influence on this Delahaye V12.
21/11/2024 10:20 am
Beautiful automobile and model - fascinating history - THANKS Charles!
John Kuvakas and Charles Rockett reacted
Topic starter
21/11/2024 11:03 am
@david-green Thank-you David. It's a fascinating moment in time, on both sides of the Atlantic and the design / popular culture reflects this.
Topic starter
21/11/2024 11:09 am
@perrone1 Thank-you Tony. I saw this at the Louis Vuitton Concours d'Elegance some years ago and spent a full two hours walking around it and studying / admiring every curve and changing plane. Having spent a lifetime studying art and going through museums, I have concluded that in my opinion, this is the most beautiful man-made object I have ever seen!
26/11/2024 9:40 pm
Having spent a lifetime studying art and going through museums, I have concluded that in my opinion, this is the most beautiful man-made object I have ever seen!
Charles, Thank you once again for sharing a wonderful automotive story with us. I cannot relate as to the most beautiful man-made object I have seen, especially of these tear drop shaped beauties, and that is why I have collected so many of them. Though a few years ago I did see one that knocked my socks off at the Amelia Island Concourse. Early on, as cars were coming onto the field (a golf course) I stood mesmerized by a long, blue, Delehaye. It seemed soundless as it slowly glided over the grass, seeming to hover just above it, maybe even touching the grass (in my dream). Low and slow - what a show. You had to be there. 
This is an Illario model.
Notice the clear plastic steering wheel
Models = Miracles in miniature = Holding History in ones hand
Cheers and Happy Collecting,
Steve
Topic starter
27/11/2024 5:06 am
Hi Steve, this is indeed a beauty which I have myself, and hope to do a little write-up on as I go into the '40s. 1949 is still a way off! It's often referred to as the Dianna Dors Delahaye, though it was first commissioned by an English, bon vivant, and she didn't have it until some while later. I am quite jealous that you've seen the actual car and value your description of its moving. Indeed it looks more sleek, even as a stationary model, than any car I can imagine, (short of early '60s sci-fi marionette' transports) and must have a captivating presence as it glides along. Between the two, I'd still go for the World's Fair model over this 175 for its comparative subtlety but can easily imagine someone making the alternative choice for the same reason ! (P.S. This Miniatures du Chateau 165 is the same as yours, is it not?)
13/12/2024 10:24 am
@charles-rockett Thanks, Charles, for letting us republish this. This will be the first of several reposted Forum43 articles from you. Merci beaucoup!
https://www.maronline.org.uk/1939-new-york-worlds-fair-delahaye/
We welcome submissions from all of you on any model car subject you wish to write about!
Topic starter
13/12/2024 10:33 am
@karl Thank-you Karl, I do appreciate your interest in my jottings.
Tony Perrone reacted