A French inclination to equate Grand Prix success with national glory has sometimes led to money being squandered, especially in the late 1930s. There was no sponsorship largesse then, but the French Automobile Club put up a million francs for the constructor of a car that could beat Mercede's modest 1935 lap record at Montlhery. Rene Dryfus managed this for Delahaye in August 1937, four days before the closing date.

Duel purpose design

Designer Jean Francois had started work on a car that could be raced in sports car events and Grands prix in 1936. Its heart was a 60 degree V-12, with unusual valve gear ( a centeral camshaft operated inlet valves, two camshafts outside the vee operated the exhusts). Despite the use of magnesium alloys it was heavy, at 590 lbs/268 kg and it was mounted in a adapted 135 chassis.

Disappointment

There were two minor race victories, but the 145 showed well in only one Grand Prix, Dreyfus coming forth in the 1939 German GP, in spite of being lapped twice by the winner.

Type 145 in sports guise, with lights and extraordinary wings. It was also seen as an "offset single seater" and in streamlined form with a full-width nose.

Photo Autopresse
MCMXCI, Edito-Service S.A. D1 078 03-14