The Pinnacle of French Art Deco: The Legendary Delahaye Type 165

Few automobiles in history blur the line between mechanical engineering and fine art quite like the Delahaye Type 165. Built on the precipice of World War II, this breathtaking French masterpiece represents the absolute peak of automotive prestige, dramatic design, and Art Deco grandeur. For classic car enthusiasts and connoisseurs of rare coachwork, the Delahaye 165 is not merely a vintage automobile; it is one of the most magnificent rolling sculptures ever created.

Unrivalled Beauty and Coachwork Elegance

The striking aesthetic of the Delahaye Type 165 is the work of legendary Parisian coachbuilders Figoni & Falaschi.Inspired by the teardrop movement and aerodynamic principles of the late 1930s, Joseph Figoni designed a body that epitomised fluid grace and speed.

Every curve on the Type 165 feels intentional. Sweeping enclosed teardrop wings envelop the wheels, flowing smoothly into a long, low-slung bonnet and a gently tapering rear deck. Chrome trim runs along the body sides like strokes from an artist’s paintbrush, emphasizing its elongated, elegant silhouette. Perhaps its most striking feature is the disappearing windscreen, which can be wound down entirely into the cowl to create an uninterrupted open-air speedster profile. To gaze upon a Type 165 is to experience the zenith of 1930s French automotive glamor.

Racing Pedigree and Engineering Prestige

Beneath its sensational coachwork lies a chassis steeped in motorsport triumph. The Type 165 was developed directly as the grand touring road version of the legendary Delahaye Type 145 race car. The Type 145 famously broke German dominance in Grand Prix racing by winning the prestigious 1937 Prix du Million.

To power the road-going Type 165, Delahaye fitted a detuned version of the Type 145’s high-tech 4.5-litre V12 engine.Producing around 175 horsepower, the lightweight V12 gave the car a top speed of over 115 mph—an extraordinary achievement for a luxury roadster in 1939. Combined with an advanced chassis featuring independent front suspension and a Cotal electromagnetic gearbox, the Type 165 delivered an unmatched blend of race-bred performance and supreme luxury.

Production Numbers: How Many Were Made and Still Exist?

Because of its complex V12 powerplant and the sudden outbreak of World War II, production of the Type 165 was cut short almost immediately after its debut.

• Total Made: Only 2 official V12 Type 165 chassis were ever completed by the factory (Chassis 60743 and Chassis 60744). (Some historical records cite up to 5 prototypes/chassis ordered before the war halted production).
• Total Surviving: Both of the original V12 factory-built Type 165 examples (2 cars) have survived to this day.

The story of Chassis 60744 is particularly legendary. Selected to represent France at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, the car arrived in the United States without its engine installed, as the factory rushed to get the body displayed. When war broke out in Europe, the car remained trapped in U.S. customs for years. It eventually passed through several owners—at one point fitted with a Cadillac V8—before being reunited with its original Delahaye V12 engine during a meticulous restoration decades later.

Notable Owners and Current Value

Over the decades, the provenance of these two masterpieces has involved a distinguished lineup of classic car royalty:

• Notable Historical Owners: Chassis 60743 was originally acquired by British entrepreneur W.E. ‘Billy’ Butlin(founder of Butlin’s holiday camps) before being owned by Adrian Conan Doyle, son of Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It later became part of the famous Jim Lee Collection.Conceptcarz
• Notable Current Collectors: Chassis 60744 became the crown jewel of the late Peter Mullin’s collection and was displayed at the renowned Mullin Automotive Museum in California, frequently capturing “Best in Class” honors at top international concours.

Estimated Market Value

Given that only two original examples exist and neither has hit a public auction block in recent years, placing an exact price tag on a Delahaye 165 requires looking at top-tier coachbuilt Delahayes and museum-grade Art Deco classics.

If an original V12 Type 165 were to come to market today, experts estimate its value to easily exceed $10,000,000 to $15,000,000+ (£8,000,000 – £12,000,000+), making it one of the most valuable and sought-after French automobiles on the planet.

Final Thoughts

The Delahaye 165 stands as a shimmering monument to an era when automotive design knew no bounds. With its peerless Figoni & Falaschi lines, race-derived V12 heart, and fascinating wartime history, it remains one of the ultimate holy grails of the classic car world.

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