custom cars, 1939, 1939 delahaye cabriolet, cabriolet, delahaye, delahaye type 165...

Delahaye USA Recreating Famous Cabriolet

Our initial reaction to the idea of recreated Delahayes was one of reservation. How does one capture lightning in a bottle twice — and over fifty years after the original company went out of business? The original coachbuilt Delahayes are some of the most beautifully crafted automobiles of all time, so setting your sights on reproducing them is a tough target to aim for. This is exactly what Delahaye USA is undertaking, and so far we're impressed with the results. Currently under commission is a car which when completed will not only mimic the look and feel of the original, but thoroughly exceed it mechanically.

Delehaye USA is currently building a reproduction of the Type 165 Figoni & Falaschi 1939 Delahaye Cabriolet, a car so slathered in concourse wins its practically sickening. This isn't just a fiberglass chop and drop job either. They're using wooden bucks and pounding out the aluminum body work just as the original coachbuilders would have done. Sure the body is going to be nice, but what about the guts? Instead of a the original V12 (which didn't make it into the original car until around 1981 due to the outbreak of WWII) this one will be receiving a BMW V12 and and an all new suspension. Fantastical features include a disappearing top, jump seats, power retractable windscreen for the rumble seat passengers, who have a full dash complimented by duplicate gauges, bespoke luggage and acres of pampered cow hide. Yes indeed, this will be a beauty, and Delahaye USA, if you need somebody to test drive and review those new masterpieces, give us a ring. [Delahaye USA]

Photo by John Lamm

10:30 AM on Thu Mar 27 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,292 views
21 comments

Comments

boosted-lego-wagon at 10:36 AM on 03/27/08
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Gorgeous. However, if you examine the top picture carefully, somebody's accidentally closed the door on their chrome jacket.
NICKNICK at 10:41 AM on 03/27/08
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all i see is who framed roger rabbit
mehugtree at 10:45 AM on 03/27/08
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I love the idea of recreating classics with modern guts.

Not just, you know, the spate of "re-thinking" classics with the likes of the Mustang, Charger, Challenger, etc.
Ash78 at 10:49 AM on 03/27/08
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Needs truck nuts to complete the image.
acarr260 at 10:57 AM on 03/27/08
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Is that the car from Monopoly?
j6r at 11:12 AM on 03/27/08
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I hope they make it like the original and keep all the dimensions slightly asymmetrical.
m3_of_doom at 11:25 AM on 03/27/08
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Hmmm...needs more fender
GoingLikeSixty at 11:47 AM on 03/27/08
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Scrolling thru RSS, this stopped me cold and I uttered the sound one makes when seeing a drop-dead beautiful woman.
@NickNick: Roger Rabbit? Ruined it for me. It's true. Which is a good thing!
graverobber- Same... at 11:47 AM on 03/27/08
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That'll be beautiful when done. I have no problem with "tribute" cars as long as they are not passed off as originals, which they don't appear to be doing here.

In that center image of the chassis, is that a transaxle? That isn't a BMW-sourced component is it? I've looked through the site, but can't find any technical specs. Of course, I'm pretty lazy.
CEman at 12:00 PM on 03/27/08
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@graverobber:
It sure looks it graverobber. It would be interesting to see the wheel base. I bet it is pretty spot on to a V-12 7 series Bimmer.
smoke~ at 12:02 PM on 03/27/08
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What's the turning radius on it?
smoke~ at 12:03 PM on 03/27/08
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@ash78:

and glass packs
lascauxcaveman at 12:05 PM on 03/27/08
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This is certainly no worse than a really nice Cobra update, and in many ways, a lot better.

My kinda 'art car'.
boosted-lego-wagon at 12:07 PM on 03/27/08
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@GoingLikeSixty: Aa-WOOO-gaaa
Dave7 at 12:15 PM on 03/27/08
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@CEman: 135-inch wheelbase
MikeHerbst at 12:19 PM on 03/27/08
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Nice coincidence, the '48 Delahaye Type 135MS is the car-of-the-day on the C&D "Deam Car" page-a-day calendar.

After reading my tearoff I was just thinking, "I haven't seen enough Delahaye lately". I can always count on los Jalops to keep my prescription filled.
akirachan at 12:45 PM on 03/27/08
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Chevy and Chrysler should have just made reissues of classic muscle cars instead of their new-retro renditions. Just like Gibson Guitars with their reissued Les Pauls from the Custom Shop...they could've made a killing I think. So hats off to you, Delahaye, for keeping it real, yo.
TR3-A at 12:46 PM on 03/27/08
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IMHO, the Delahayes are some of the most beautiful cars ever produced. Reproducing them with modern underpinnings just makes me ache the worst for the fact that I can't even afford a used Geo Metro.
Novaload at 12:55 PM on 03/27/08
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Wow.
A thing of beauty really is a joy forever.
CEman at 01:39 PM on 03/27/08
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@Dave7:
What is the WB for the Bimmer?
Armand, Star-Spangled... at 03:19 PM on 03/27/08
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When I first saw this, I was afraid it was going to have a small-block crate motor. I'm very, VERY glad they went the BMW V12 route-- I hope they tune the exhaust to give a nice, low burble, like an old Ferrari 330GTC at idle.