1937 Delage D8 120 Drop Head Coupe

This Delage D8 120 wears cabriolet coachwork by one of France's most prolific custom coachbuilders of the era, Henri Chapron. It was delivered on September 7, 1937, just prior to the Paris Salon de l'Automobile held at the Grand Palais in October. The car's original owner is believed to have been a prominent French actress of the era (although the identity is unknown). It is known to have worn the British registration ELM 508, which is a prewar London registration, so it is also possible that the first owner was in fact, in the UK.

After World War II, the car was in the care of British ownership where it remained until the 1960s, at which time it was exported to the United States. It remained in the care of two separate owners in the US (Robert Muelke and Mark Gibbons) before returning to Europe in the 1980s (by Herve Ogliastro). It was in a French Collection and treated to a comprehensive restoration by the French firm Carrosserie Lecoq.

When the restoration was completed, this Delage wore its present blue-green exterior with tan leather interior. It was exhibited at the 1992 Louis Vuitton Classic at Bagatelle, winning the Prix special du Jury.

In 2006, it was acquired by John O'Quinn of Houston, Texas. In 2010, it was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $550,000 - $650,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot was sold to the Academy of Art University for the sum of $605,000, inclusive of the buyer's premium.

This Delage D8 120 currently displays 5,331 kilometers.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2010