Special to Chatham Kent Blogspot
World recognized auto expert and local resident Rob Myers drove one of the worlds most unusual automobiles into the heart of downtown Chatham during Retrofest yesterday, drawing an instant crowd of auto enthusiasts, who marvelled at the magnificent 1949 Delahaye 175 that he parked in front of the Retrosuite Hotel. Admirers from all over Southern Ontario gathered to view this one of a kind, perfectly restored marvel that had been loaned out from the RM Museum for the day.
Rob Myers, local Chatham resident manouvers 1949 Delahaye 175 through baricades as he prepares to park the vintage auto in front of the Retrosuite Hotel
Delahaye was a French automobile company that was founded in 1901. By the end of the First World War, they were most famous for the trucks they produced. As the ecomony grew, they started to produce and specialize in luxury cars in their factories located in France, USA and Germany. Delahaye was shut down in 1954 largely because of heavy taxation on luxury automobiles. Although there were 51 Delahays built in 1949, there was only one with this body styling. The car was built as a show car and displayed around the world, including the Paris and New York Car Show. The famous British actress Diana Dors, who was known as the British Marilyn Munroe was the first owner of this car.
Rob Myers seen exiting the 1949 rare and vintage Delahaye 175 Coach.
Mr. Myers, accompanied by his wife, carefully backed the car into a hastily prepared parking space on the corner of King St. and William St, and a crowd of onlookers quickly assembled. He answered many questions of the curious and quickly growing crowd, before he entered the restaurant at the Retrosuite hotel.
The car was purchased in 2000 for $3.5M and will be featured in an upcoming RM auction, where it is expected to fetch upwards to 5M. This comprehensively restored beauty is often considered the most outstanding, extravagance and beautiful postwar coach built car in existence.
Onlookers enjoying a rate public sighting of the classic 1949 Delahaye 175
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