1946 Delage D6-3L Grand Prix Racer

In 1965 Boston native Peter Viner purchased a peculiar-looking, three-liter Delage with an aluminum body that sported distinctive streamlined tail fins. Viner believed that this bizarre coupe disguised the long-lost D6 chassis driven by the Delage race team in the winning 1946 and 1947 seasons. After much research, his speculations were confirmed by several authorities, including marque specialist Francois Jolly. Peter Viner had found Henri Louveau's chassis 880004.

Racing returned to France in 1946 at the end of World War II. Louis Delage's successor, Walter Watney, was ready at the track with five Type D6-3L racecars. The powerful vehicles capable of speeds of more than 124 miles per hour successfully raced throughout Europe for the next three years. Of the five Type D6-3L racecars, chassis 880004 campaigned most frequently. It was purchased in 1947 by Henri Louveau, who drove the car to several victories, including a second-place finish at both LeMans and the Grand Prix of Spa-Francorchamps in 1949.

In 1953, the car was transferred to Jacques Nolle, who had it rebodied as the unusual coupe acquired by Viner. Through the years its history was lost until Viner unearthed its story. Not long after purchasing the car in 1995, Peter Mullin restored it to its original 1947 racing configuration by Auto Classique Touraine in Tours, France. The Delage two-seater, cloaked in Gallic blue, returned to the track in 2006.

1947
- Grand Prix of Perpignan: Second place
- Grand Prix of Marseille: Third place
- Grand Prix of Italy: Sixth place

1948
- Grand Prix des Frontieres: Second place
- 12 Hours of Paris: Second place
- Grand Prix des Nations: Fifth place

1949
- 24 Hours of LeMans: Second place
- Grand Prix of Spa-Francorchamps: Second place

2006, 2007, 2008, 2014:
- Laguna Seca Raceway

This 1946 Delage D6-3L racer is the fourth of five constructed, carrying chassis number 880004. It was the last Delage vehicle to ever compete at LeMans. It was later given a Pichon & Parat body which it retained until its current owner purchased the car and restored it to its original configuration.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2007