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This D8-120 was built by the coachbuilding firm of de Villars. It is a flamboyant design that reflects both the industrialization of Europe as well as the Art Deco era.
The de Villars Company was created by Jay Gould, a noted railroad billionaire. Roland de Gaffenreid de Villars was Gould's son-in-law and Gould created the firm to prevent any dalliances by de Villars. The company became well known for the extraordinary quality of its design as well as the execution of the final product.
The D8-120 was introduced in Paris in October 1938. Contemporary reports state that it was greeted with 'frantic acclaim' and became 'the queen of international Concours d'Elegance.'
This car is powered by a 4.5-liter straight-eight engine and it is shifted by a Cotal electromagnetic transmission which, after first gear, can be shifted without depressing the clutch. The transmission and suspension design were both influenced by Delage's parent company, Delahaye which had purchased the company when it experienced some financial difficulties. Although Louis Delage was kept on under the new ownership, he was soon dismissed with a small pension. He would then spend his last years traveling by bicycle, as he could not afford a car.
Also of note is that the D8 engine was used by the French in their Hotchkiss H39 fast-reconnaissance light tank.
This Delage won Best of Show at the 1996 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and Best of Show at the Hampton Court Palace Concours d'Elegance in 2022. In 2003, it was awarded the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award.
The de Villars Company was created by Jay Gould, a noted railroad billionaire. Roland de Gaffenreid de Villars was Gould's son-in-law and Gould created the firm to prevent any dalliances by de Villars. The company became well known for the extraordinary quality of its design as well as the execution of the final product.
The D8-120 was introduced in Paris in October 1938. Contemporary reports state that it was greeted with 'frantic acclaim' and became 'the queen of international Concours d'Elegance.'
This car is powered by a 4.5-liter straight-eight engine and it is shifted by a Cotal electromagnetic transmission which, after first gear, can be shifted without depressing the clutch. The transmission and suspension design were both influenced by Delage's parent company, Delahaye which had purchased the company when it experienced some financial difficulties. Although Louis Delage was kept on under the new ownership, he was soon dismissed with a small pension. He would then spend his last years traveling by bicycle, as he could not afford a car.
Also of note is that the D8 engine was used by the French in their Hotchkiss H39 fast-reconnaissance light tank.
This Delage won Best of Show at the 1996 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and Best of Show at the Hampton Court Palace Concours d'Elegance in 2022. In 2003, it was awarded the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
1937 Delage D8 120 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Delage D8 120
(Data based on Model Year 1937 sales)
1937 Delage D8-120 Letourneur et Marchand Coach JeL Chassis#: 50789 Sold for USD$1,105,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1937 Delage D8-120 Chapron Cabriolet Chassis#: 51624 Sold for USD$434,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1937 Delage D8-120 Deltasport Three-Position Cabriolet Chassis#: 51629 Sold for USD$770,000 2013 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach | |
1937 Delage D8 120 Drop Head Coupe Sold for USD$605,000 2010 Gooding and Company - Scottsdale Auction | |
1937 Delage D8 120 Sold for USD$825,000 2009 Automobiles of Arizona | |
1937 Delage D8 120 Drophead Coupe Sold for USD$715,000 2006 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction |
Delage D8 120s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1937 Delage D8 120's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1937 Delage D8 120 Three Position Drophead Coupé | 50790 | 2023 Bonhams : Quail | $700,000 | $800,000 | |
1937 Delage D8 120 Three Position Drophead Coupé | 50790 | 2019 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | $650,000 | $750,000 |
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1937 Delage D8 120
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