1938 Delage D6-70

Founded in 1905 by Louis Delage, the Delage marque commenced production with a single-cylinder De Dion-engined runabout, followed a few years later by multi-cylinder models. Like many automakers, Delage recognized the benefit of competition, with a single-cylinder Delage winning the Coupe Des Voiturettes as early as 1908 and Louis himself taking the 1911 Coupe de l'Auto in a 3.0-litre four-cylinder. Before the onset of World War I, the company achieved victories at the Grand Prix du Mans and the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race. They continued to grow into a dominant force in Grand Prix racing during the 1920s and established a new World Land Speed Record mark in 1924 with a 10.7-litre overhead-valve V12.

Delage diversified into the luxury tourer market by 1930 with the introduction of the D6, replacing the Delage DM and the smaller-engined Delage DR. Four-cylinder DI and six-cylinder DM cars formed the mainstay of touring-car production in the 1920s, moving further upmarket in 1929 with the introduction of the 4-liter D8 straight-eight at the Paris Salon. The D8 and D6 (essentially a D8 with two fewer cylinders) were joined by a slightly lighter, six-cylinder model named the DS. In the wake of the 1929 stock market crash, like most automakers, Delage struggled during the economic hardship.

At the time of its introduction, the D6 was offered with either a 124- or 129.5-inch wheelbase and the six-cylinder engine displaced 3,045cc and offered 75 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. Production of the first generation of the D6 continued through 1933, with a total of 1,160 examples being produced during that time.

The Delage D6-11 was introduced in October of 1932 at the 26th Paris Motor Show, with production commencing the following Spring. Hoping to appeal to a wider audience of buyers, the D6-11 was even more affordable than the original DE6. Its short-stroke (75x75.5mm) overhead-valve 2,001cc six-cylinder engine offered 55 horsepower at 4,000 RPM and was backed by a four-speed synchromesh gearbox. The '11' in its name was in reference to the fiscal (taxable) horsepower, calculated from cylinder dimensions and not from actual engine power. The electrically welded chassis featured transverse-leaf independent front suspension and came in short or long wheelbase versions, known as 'normal' (120-inch) and 'long' (128-inch). Production of the D6-11 lasted through 1934.

A special 'S' version, with 'S' representing Surbaisse-French for 'lowered', was available and known as the D6-11S. This version used a shortened wheelbase chassis and its engine offered 60 horsepower at 4,500 RPM. The Delage D6-65 of 1934 and 1935 rested on a 133-inch wheelbase and its 2,678cc 6-cylinder engine produced 65 horsepower at 4,000 RPM.

Delahaye merged with Delage in 1935 with both Louis Delage and his technical office retaining their autonomy while gaining access to Delahaye's technology and parts bin. The last Delage vehicle produced at the factory plant at Courbevoie, which Delage had occupied since 1910, was in April of 1935. Production was transferred to the Delahaye factory, in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, where the production facilities were shared by the two companies.

Following the merger, the D6-65 was replaced by the Delage D6-60 resting on a 124-inch wheelbase shared with four-cylinder Delahaey Models. Power was from a Delage-designed straight-6 2335cc unit that was increased to 2,528cc, boosting output to 67 horsepower at 3,500 RPM, up from 56 hp. Production of the D6-60 lasted from 1935 through 1937, the same time period that the D6-80 was produced. Its 3,227cc six-cylinder engine offered 72 horsepower and was distinguished from its D6-60 sibling by its longer, 132-inch wheelbase which was also shared with a Delahaye.

The Delage D6-70
Louis Delage modified the Delahaye 135 engine, giving it a shorter stroke resulting in a decreased displacement size of 2,729 cubic centimeters, and fitting a modified head. With three Solex carburetors, the OHV straight 6-cylinder unit developed 90 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. Using the Type 134 chassis, which had a 124-inch wheelbase, Louis and Arthur Michelat removed the friction shocks and replaced them with Houdaille shock absorbers, and added hydraulic Bendix brakes to the front and rear. Most D6-70 models received the optional Cotal electromagnetic gearbox, which was an almost automatic transmission system that had four speeds plus reverse.

The D6-70 and its potent engine made it suitable for luxurious (heavy) coachwork, and it proved to be a potent competitor in the motorsport department as well. It won the Tourist Trophy at Donington Park in 1938 and finished second in the Le Mans 24-Hour in 1939 and 1949.

When World War II came to a close and peacetime resumed, Delage remained a part of Delahaye. Production resumed with the D6 3-Liter positioned as a more affordable model to the Delahaye. Beneath its bonnet was a 2,984cc straight-6 with 90 horsepower and built atop the same wheelbase platforms as before the war. Delage production ceased in 1954 and Delahaye followed shortly thereafter, being taken over in 1955 by Hotchkiss.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2022