The Delahaye 178 was part of the Delahaye 175 family of luxury cars that debuted in 1948. The 178 was very similar to the 175 but it was based on a 3.15-meter wheelbase chassis. It featured an all new chassis and engine, while maintaining the classic look established by the Delahaye 135. This new engine was a 4.5L inline six unit available with single or triple carburetors. As was common at the time, a number of rolling chassis were produced in order to be bodied by independent coachbuilders. Production of the Delahaye 178 lasted until 1951.