1936 Delage D6-70 Milord Cabriolet

After Delahaye merged with Delage in 1935, they launched their new model, the D6-70, which used a short-stroke Delahaye 135 engine that gave the new Delage much more power. The performance was enhanced by using Houdaille shock absorbers and modern hydraulic Bendix brakes on the lighter Type 134 chassis. This car was the first of a small run of Delage D6-70 cabriolet decapotables bodied by Figoni et Falaschi in 1936. The car can be driven in three configurations: with the top up and down, as a cabriolet, and with the 'Milord' or half-cabriolet setup. No stranger to concours competition, this car is believed to have won the Grand Prix d'Honneur at the concours d'elegance of the Automobile Club Feminin de France in 1936. Similar Delages won awards at the concours d'elegance of Deauville and le Bois de Boulogne in 1936.

Car design, especially during the early years of the 20th century, was certainly an art form. And one of those that had an 'eye' for beautiful lines was Louis Delage. And perhaps none were more beautiful and elegant than his early designs. However, even as the company teetered on the brink of bankruptcy, the company would continue to produce some truly remarkable pieces of art, including the D6-70.

Delage would be bailed out by the businessman Walter Watney, but still, Delage faced threats all around. The economic crisis virtually brought the luxury car market in France to its knees. Adolph Hitler was also planning on bringing France to its knees. Still, Delage would not give up.

Delage did not have control though. Delahaye had come on board and Watney had taken control as the company's president. Delage would remain on board only as an advisor. Still, even in an advisor role, Delage would keep working. As per the agreement, neither Delahaye nor Delage could produce engines of the same size. Still, Delage would root around with a Delahaye 135 engine and would begin modifying it. He would decrease the engine size to 2.8-liters and would shorten the stroke. But, as it would turn out, this would be a stroke of genius as the 2.8-liter engine would be much more alive and responsive than even the 135 engine from which it had been derived.

Delage needed an engine because he had a new model in mind. Taking from a Delahaye 134 chassis, which was much lighter and just as stiff as the 135 chassis, Delage would begin attaching components, like Houdaille shock absorbers, that he wanted to comprise this new model. Delage would also incorporate newer, more innovative features, too in the new model. Besides the Houdaille shock absorbers, the D6-70 would feature modern hydraulic Bendix brakes. In addition, most would feature the Cotal electromagnetic gearbox. This four-speed manual transmission was a leap forward in gearbox design and reliability. While other gearboxes had a tendency to crack and needed great care when down-shifting, the Cotal was very smooth and was a significant leap forward in technology.

But while the D6-70 chassis would be remarkable in its own right, it would be the coachwork by Figoni et Falaschi that would truly set the car apart, giving it its true elegance and grace.

One of the elegant Figoni et Falaschi-bodied D6-70s would be offered for sale at the RM Auctions' Monterey event in 2012. Bearing body number 557, the contract for the coachwork to this particular chassis would be received in February of 1936. Just one month later, the chassis would arrive. It would end up being the first cabriolet decapotable, or roadster.

The body-styling would closely follow a design study, numbered 7675. The design offered three different configurations. But it would be the'Milord', or half-cabriolet, configuration that would give the 124' wheelbase of the D6-70 a certain touch of style and nobility. As with just about every Figoni et Falaschi design of the period, chassis 50607 would be a study in both form and function. The car would boast of the simple, and yet, elegant lines that would cause this particular body style to stand out. But the design would also be very simple, thereby underscoring its practical uses.

Just a few of the roadsters would be built and, therefore, it is quite possible that this particular chassis was on display on the Delage stand at the 1936 Salon de Paris. It is also very possible the car won the 'Grand Prix d'Honneur toutes categories' during the Concours d'Elegance of the select Automobile Club Feminin de France, also in 1936.

With Germany on the doorsteps of France by the later-part of the 1930s, chassis 50607 would somewhat retreat from public view but would reappear in 1946 when it was imported to the United Kingdom and issued the registration number HGP 361. The car would then pass through a series of owners including Major Homi Toni Boga, Mr. James Jakes and a Mr. P.M. Bull. Then, in 1969, the car would be acquired by Mr. Parfitt.

Not long afterward, the Delage D6-70, chassis 50607 would have a homecoming of a very special degree. Not only would the car return to France but it would end up in the hands of Mr. Repusseau. Though meaningless to many, this would be a very special union as Repusseau was the grandson of the coachbuilder and inventor Francois Repusseau. Francois had been tightly associated with Louis Delage since before the days of World War I.

Mr. Repusseau had been a member of the French Delage club before his death in 2008. Before his death, however, Repusseau would have the engine of 50607 fully rebuilt. The Cotal gearbox would also be torn down and entirely rebuilt by the specialists at Salmeron. But this would be just the beginning of the car's restoration.

The engine and the transmission would be set aside as work would begin on every other aspect of the car. There would be no expenses spared and the level of detail would be intense. The result, many would believe, would be a car that just looks absolutely magnificent and appears to have just arrived back from Figoni et Falaschi.

Chassis 50607 is certainly one of those strikingly magnificent and rare Figoni et Falaschi-bodied cars. It is even more rare to have one come to auction. Full of elegance and grace, all combined in a stately, and yet, simple design, the dark blue and ivory finish is wonderfully accented by carefully-placed and controlled amounts of chrome that only attract the eye and cause one to marvel. Truly this is one example of automotive art and anyone with an eye for anything of beauty would recognize that in a moment.

Heading to auction, this 1936 Delage D6-70 Milord Cabriolet, chassis number 50607 was expected to fetch between $1,250,000 and $1,750,000.

Sources:
'Not No. 143: 1936 Delage D6-70 Milord Cabriolet by Figoni et Falaschi', (http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=MO12&CarID=r229). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=MO12&CarID=r229. Retrieved 2 August 2012.

'1938 Delage D6-70 News, Pictures and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z15266/Delage-D6-70.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z15266/Delage-D6-70.aspx. Retrieved 2 August 2012.

'Delage D6-70 Figoni et Falaschi Competition Coupe', (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2844/Delage-D6-70-Figoni-and-Falaschi-Competition-Coupe.html). Ultimatecarpage.com: Powered by Knowledge, Driven by Passion. http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2844/Delage-D6-70-Figoni-and-Falaschi-Competition-Coupe.html. Retrieved 2 August 2012.

By Jeremy McMullen