1948 Delahaye Type 175S Convertible (Franay coachwork)
- Engine
- 4.5L straight-six, triple Solex carburettors
Chassis 815016 is a rare Delahaye Type 175S Convertible with coachwork by Carrosserie Franay, designed by Pierre Dumont, completed in late 1948 and delivered in early 1949. One of only around 51 Type 175 examples built before the model's 1950 discontinuation, it is believed to be the sole Franay convertible body fitted to a 175S chassis. Originally registered in the Seine département, it participated in the 1949 Grand Concours d'Elegance at Enghien-les-Bains and passed through several French owners before entering the collection of prominent French collector Jacques Baillon. Following decades in storage, it was acquired by American Delahaye specialist Richard Adatto before a comprehensive restoration exceeding 12,500 hours was undertaken by Auto Restorations of New Zealand.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £218,500 (≈ $273K)
- 1949-02-01 →Factory deliveryFirst registered owner in Seine department, Parispartial documentation
Vehicle first registered in the Seine department of Paris in early 1949 with registration 9277 RQ 7.
- 1964 →Private saleJacques Baillonpartial documentation
Well-known French collector who acquired the car in 1964; subsequently sold it again after an unspecified period.
- → 2007Private saleRichard Adattopartial documentation
American Delahaye specialist who purchased the car in the late 1980s and later sold it to the consignor in 2007.
- 2007 →Private saleCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Shortly after acquiring the car, commissioned a full restoration by Auto Restorations of New Zealand, targeting return to original factory condition; work exceeded 12,500 hours.
- Date unknownUnspecified owners during the 1950snone documentation
The car reportedly transferred between three different owners at some point during the 1950s; no individual identities or dates are specified.
- Date unknownPrivate saleUnspecified owner after Baillonnone documentation
Car spent a number of years in storage during this ownership period.
Competition
- 1949-06-01Grand Concours d'Elegance, Enghien-les-Bains
Participation documented by period photographs included with the car.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationAuto Restorations
A comprehensive ground-up restoration to original factory specification, requiring in excess of 12,500 labour hours; full documentation is on file.
Work was commissioned by the consigning owner shortly after the 2007 purchase; the restorer is based in New Zealand.
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