Makes › Delahaye › 145 › 145 V12 Grand Prix / sports-racer · Factory competition · 1937 Ultra Rare
Delahaye
145 V12 Grand Prix / sports-racer
V12 "Million Franc" cars built for the Prix du Million and GP racing
Still being researched: identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 5 Built
- Years
- 1937
- Engine
- Front-mounted 60-degree V12 · 4,496 cc / 4.5 LFactory: 4,496 cc
- Power
- 183 kW / 248 PSFactory: 245 hp · converted
- Top speed
- 230 km/hFactory: 230 km/h
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The 145 was Delahaye's answer to the 'Million Franc' prize for the first French car to beat a set speed over 200 km at Montlhéry, and was built to the new 4.5-litre Grand Prix rules for 1938. Only five were made, each with an advanced V12 using an alloy block and heads.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productioncars built | 51 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
French racing club members first put up 400,000 francs for the first French manufacturer to beat a 200 km record at Montlhéry, and alloy producers then raised the prize to one million francs with an August deadline. The car also had to comply with the 1938 Grand Prix formula of 4.5 litres unsupercharged. Rather than adapt its 3.5-litre six, Delahaye built a new V12 with a magnesium-alloy block, aluminium heads, three camshafts and three Stromberg carburettors, mated to a four-speed Cotal preselector gearbox. The chassis was derived from the Type 135, with front wishbones and a live rear axle.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard 145 V12 Grand Prix / sports-racer.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Front-mounted 60-degree V122 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 4,496 cc / 4.5 LFactory: 4,496 cc2 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 183 kW / 248 PSFactory: 245 hp · converted2 Independently researchedSource states bhp (brake horsepower, mechanical). |
| Power at | 5,500 rpm2 Independently researched |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Four-speed Cotal preselector3,2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | 1,100 kgFactory: 1,100 kg2 Independently researched |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 230 km/hFactory: 230 km/h2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
1937 Delahaye 145 Grand Prix Specifications - Ultimatecarpage.com Level C
- 5 cars built
-
2
Delahaye 145 Grand Prix specifications Level C Wouter Melissen · Ultimatecarpage.com · 2006-08-30
- 60º V12; Front, longitudinally mounted
- 4,496 cc / 274.4 cu in
- 245 bhp / 183 kW @ 5,500 rpm
- 245 bhp @ 5,500 rpm
- 4 speed Manual
- Weight: 1,100 kilo / 2,425 lbs
- 230 km/h (143 mph)
-
3
Delahaye 145 Grand Prix Level C Wouter Melissen · Ultimatecarpage.com · 2006-08-30
- four-speed Cotal preselector gearbox
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