1950 Delahaye Type 180 custom convertible limousine

825015roadFrance

Engine: Six-cylinder, derived from the 135-series unit
Colour: Black

A long-wheelbase Delahaye Type 180 convertible limousine, bodied by Carrosserie Franay and commissioned expressly for Mohammed V, King of Morocco. Following the King's death in 1961 the car passed to his son Hassan II before entering a succession of American private collections. It has undergone body restoration and interior renewal at least once, and was refinished in its original black by a subsequent owner around 1989. Retaining its original Franay coachwork, Dubonnet front and de Dion rear suspension, it represents a rare intersection of bespoke French coachbuilding and royal patronage.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$318,500
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
→ 1961Factory delivery
Mohammed V, King of Morocco
partial documentation
Vehicle was purpose-built by Franay for the King; period evidence suggests it served mainly as a ceremonial parade car given its low mileage.
1961 →Inheritance
Hassan II, King of Morocco
partial documentation
Inherited the car along with the kingdom following his father's death; subsequently sold the Delahaye.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
William A. Gaston
partial documentation
One of a sequence of private owners after the car left royal custody.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Joseph Mingola
partial documentation
Acquired the car after Gaston; later introduced it to Dr. Heath and facilitated the subsequent sale.
Date unknownPrivate sale
Dr. Erle M. Heath
partial documentation
Pittsburgh physician and collector of unusual vehicles who purchased it without viewing; undertook a restoration including body refinishing and fitting new red leather trim throughout the interior.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Tom Barrett
partial documentation
Had the car refinished around 1989, restoring it to its original black livery, while retaining the interior installed by the prior owner.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Present collection
partial documentation
Acquired from Barrett roughly three decades before the catalogue date; interior remains in well-aged but original condition from the Heath restoration.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

1989
Bodywork
Car was refinished by Tom Barrett, reverting the exterior colour to the original black; the interior was not altered at this stage.
Approximate date given as 'around 1989' in the catalogue.
—
Restoration
Full body restoration and repaint carried out, together with a replacement of the interior in lavish red leather, during Dr. Heath's ownership.
Work was commissioned by Dr. Heath after he acquired the car; the interior fitted at this time remains in the car today.

Are you the owner of this car?

This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.