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1939 Delage D8-120 Cabriolet

  • Coachwork by Henri Chapron
  • Chassis Number: 51980
  • Engine Number: 51980
  • Body Number: 6356
This luxurious cabriolet, bodied by master coachbuilder Henri Chapron, has at its base one of the last of the D8-120 series chassis to be built before World War II ended production. The chassis (51980) was built in 1939, but it remained unsold and was hidden in Paris throughout the ensuing conflict.

In 1946, the chassis was finally fitted with the body it deserved - a body with long flowing lines and subtle curves, accented by Valentine Capri blue paintwork and rich red fender skirts.

The completed car was breathtaking to behold, a thing of beauty that not only caught the eye, but kept it. And that was no accident; Delahaye had ordered the special cabriolet for its display at the 1946 Paris Auto Show. But its appearance there has not been confirmed.

It seems the car remained in the possession of Delahaye until July 1948, when it was shipped overseas to Egypt. Its history abroad is uncertain, but it eventually passed into the hands of auto aficionado Roger Grier in the United States. It was subsequently owned by Cal Bedell, Manny Dragone, Alfredo Brenner, and Dr. Joseph A. Murphy. Tony Vincent purchased the car a few years back and has completely restored it.

In addition to its fine chassis and beautiful body, this car's interior is also note-worthy. The fine wood-grained dashboard has a full complement of instruments dominated by a Jaeger tachometer and speedometer. Beside the steering wheel is the Cotal shifter. A novelty of these gearboxes is the ability to use all four gears in reverse!

Provenance *
* Please note, dates are approximate

2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $950,000-USD $1,200,000 
Lot was not sold

2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $800,000-USD $1,200,000 
Sale Price :
USD $940,000

Recent Sales of the Delage D8-120

(Data based on Model Year 1939 sales)
1939 DELAGE D8-120 CABRIOLET GRAND LUXE
Chassis#: 51980
Sold for USD$940,000
  2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1939 Delage D8-120 image  1939 Delage D8-120 image  

Delage D8-120s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1939 Delage D8-120's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1939 Delage D8-120 Cabriolet Grand Luxe by Chapron519802024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami $950,000$1,200,000

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1939 Delage D8-120

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
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Other Delage D8-120 model years

1939 Delage D8-120 Vehicle Profiles

1939 Delage D8-120 vehicle information
Cabriolet
Coachwork: Henri Chapron
Chassis #: 51760
1939 Delage D8-120 vehicle information
Cabriolet
Coachwork: Henri Chapron
1939 Delage D8-120 vehicle information
Cabriolet
Coachwork: Henri Chapron
Chassis #: 51980
Engine #: 51980
1939 Delage D8-120 vehicle information
Coupe
Coachwork: Vanvooren
Chassis #: 51618