Description
The Delahaye 178 Cabriolet is a rare and refined example of postwar French automotive luxury, built during a brief window in the late 1940s. It emerged as part of Delahaye’s effort to reestablish its place in the high-end car market after World War II, alongside its sister models, the 175 and 180. Though similar in mechanical layout and general styling, the 178 featured a shorter wheelbase than the 175, making it slightly more agile and more suited to elegant cabriolet or coupé configurations.
At its heart, the Delahaye 178 was powered by a 4.5-liter inline-six engine. This engine, derived from the larger 175 series, offered a smooth yet powerful performance, delivering around 140 to 165 horsepower. The power was sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed gearbox, and many examples were fitted with the sophisticated Cotal pre-selector transmission, a semi-automatic unit known for its smooth shifting and futuristic design. Performance figures for the time were respectable, with the top speed reaching close to 160 kilometers per hour.
The car was built on a separate chassis, allowing it to serve as the base for bespoke coachbuilt bodies. French coachbuilders such as Henri Chapron, Saoutchik, and Letourneur et Marchand crafted custom cabriolet bodies for the 178, each differing in style and detail. These cabriolets featured flowing lines, lavish chrome accents, and hand-finished interiors, often trimmed in rich leathers and wood veneers. The craftsmanship reflected the highest standards of French automotive artistry at the time.
Though it carried the prestige and presence typical of a Delahaye, the 178 was produced in very limited numbers. Fewer than twenty are believed to have been built, with even fewer surviving today. Each surviving 178 Cabriolet is effectively a unique collector’s piece, valued not just for its rarity but for the elegance and individuality of its coachwork.
The Delahaye 178 Cabriolet occupies a special place in the marque’s history. It represents the final flourish of prewar French luxury carmaking, combining advanced engineering with traditional coachbuilt artistry in a rapidly changing postwar automotive landscape.