1949 Delahaye 178 Cabriolet by Chapron
- Engine
- Standard 178 engine, same displacement as the late-1930s Delahaye V-12
- Colour
- Gray with cream accents on body and fenders (two-tone)
One of only seven surviving Delahaye 178s and the sole remaining cabriolet bodied on the 178 chassis by Henri Chapron, this left-hand-drive example was completed on 10 August 1949 with engine number 820034 and optional Rudge wheels. Chapron's characteristically refined proportions are distinguished here by louvered bonnet, a grille-integrated front bumper, and an unusual split vee'd windscreen. Restored by RM Auto Restoration in the mid-1990s, it won Best in Show – European at the 2000 Meadowbrook Concours d'Elegance, and later passed to automotive publishing magnate Robert E. Petersen.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$351,500
- → 1960European seller, believed Dutchpartial documentation
Car was registered ZG-83-37 and reportedly finished in its original gray and red livery at time of sale. Believed to be based in the Netherlands.
- 1960 →Private saleJack Lappertpartial documentation
Wheeling, West Virginia resident who acquired the car from a European, likely Dutch, source. Subsequent transfer date to next owner not specified.
- → 2000Acquisition unknownVirginia Frazier and Jack Frazierpartial documentation
Michigan-based mother and son who commissioned a full restoration by RM Auto Restoration in the mid-1990s and showed the car to significant acclaim at Meadowbrook before selling in autumn 2000.
- 2000 →Private saleRobert E. Petersenpartial documentation
Automotive publishing figure who purchased the car in autumn 2000 and subsequently had Tony Castellano add cream two-tone accents consistent with the car's original Chapron finish.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMichael Berrypartial documentation
Noted early collector based in the Detroit region. Acquired the car from Lappert; no specific dates given for either end of his ownership.
Competition
- 19971997 Meadowbrook Concours d'Elegance
First concours appearance following the mid-1990s RM Auto Restoration work carried out for the Frazier family.
- 20002000 Meadowbrook Concours d'EleganceBest in Show – European
This award was regarded at the time as among the most prestigious honors in vintage car collecting; the win preceded the Fraziers' sale of the car later that same autumn.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationRM Auto Restoration
Comprehensive restoration undertaken for the Frazier family, completed in time for the car's 1997 Meadowbrook debut.
Completed in the mid-1990s; specific year not given.
- —Bodywork
Light cosmetic freshening including application of cream two-tone accents to the bodywork and fenders, consistent with original Chapron coachwork treatment.
Work carried out by Tony Castellano after Robert E. Petersen acquired the car in autumn 2000; precise date not stated.
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