Delahaye Delahaye 168 1938-1940
| Delahaye 135/138/148/168 | |
|---|---|
Delahaye 135 MS Cabriolet Pourtout
|
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Delahaye |
| Production | 1935–1954 ca. 2,000 built |
| Designer | Jean François |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Luxury car |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Delahaye 134 Delahaye 175 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3,227 cc straight-6, 95–110 hp (71–82 kW) 3,557 cc straight-6, 90–160 hp (67–119 kW) |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual 4-speed pre-selector |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,950 mm (116 in) |
| Curb weight | 935 kg (2,061 lb) (chassis) 1,250–1,640 kg (2,760–3,620 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Delahaye 235 |
Presented in December 1938 and built until the outbreak of war in 1940, the Type 168 used the 148L's chassis and engine (engine code 148N) in Renault Viva Grand Sport bodywork.
Wheelbase remained 315 cm while the use of artillery wheels rather than spoked items meant minor differences in track. This curious hybrid was the result of an effort by Renault to steal in on Delahaye's lucrative near monopoly on fire vehicles: after a complaint by Delahaye, Renault relinquished contracts it had gained, but in return Delahaye had to agree to purchase a number of Viva Grand Sport bodyshells. In an effort to limit the market of this cuckoo's egg, thus limiting the number of bodyshells it had to purchase from Renault, Delahaye chose to equip it with the unpopular Wilson preselector (even though the marketing material referred to the Cotal version). This succeeded very well, and with the war putting a stop to car production, no more than thirty were supposedly built. Strong, wide, and fast, like their Viva Grand Sport half sisters, the 168s proved popular with the army. Many were equipped to run on gazogène during the war and very few (if any) remain.