1939 Delage D8-120 Cabriolet

Henri Chapron built this cabriolet on the second series of the D8-120, which had a lower and lighter chassis than its predecessor. The D8-120 has an inline, 8-cylinder, 4.5-liter engine with overhead valves mated to the 4-speed Cotal electronic gearbox. The car's early history was colorful: it was appropriated by a French general of the Vichy government who was known to be a German collaborator. In 1946, the general sent the car to California but was unable to obtain a visa for himself, so he went to Argentina and sold the car to RKO Studios. The Delage was featured in several films, including the 1951 classic An American in Paris, in which Gene Kelly and Nina Foch are chauffeured around Paris. The producers sent the car to Chapron to make a few changes, including repainting it. In 1955, it was acquired by Thol 'Si' Simonson, the RKO special effects artist who made George Reeves fly in the Adventures of Superman. Mr. Simonson sold the Delage to its current owner in 1987.