The Delahaye type 175 was built between 1947 and 1951. The long wheelbase and elegant curves in the body make the 175 look like a million dollars. Specific rare models like the Delahaye 175 S Saoutchik Roadster are currently estimated at six million dollars and considered one of the world’s most beautiful cars. However, this week, someone threw down $350,000 for a 1949 Delahaye 175 that was briefly owned by the Rocket Man himself, Sir Elton John.
This particular Delahaye 175 has lived quite a life. It started as a silver hardtop coupe with a sun-roof built for the car’s first owner, the Maharaja of Mysore in India, who kept it until the early 1970s. According to Bring a Trailer, by 1979, the car was auctioned, and Sir Elton John purchased the car in 1980 and owned it until 1983. During the 1980s, this Delahaye had some cosmetic work done. It was converted into a cabriolet and given a fresh red coat of paint. By 2001, the car was a member of the Petersen Automotive Museum collection and stayed in LA until being sold this week to the next owner. The Delahaye has kept its original 4.5-liter overhead valve inline-six engine with optional three Solex downdraft carburetor intake manifolds throughout its lifetime. These are the kinds of cars that you often find yourself spending more time looking at than actually driving because it’s hard to admire the bodywork while sitting in the driver seat.