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1938 Delage D6-70

Founded in 1905 by Louis Delage, the Delage marque commenced production with a single-cylinder De Dion-engined runabout, followed a few years later by multi-cylinder models. Like many automakers, Delage recognized the benefit of competition, with a single-cylinder Delage winning the Coupe Des Voiturettes as early as 1908 and Louis himself taking the 1911 Coupe de l'Auto in a 3.0-litre four-cylinder. Before the onset of World War I, the company achieved victories at the Grand Prix du Mans and the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race. They continued to grow into a dominant force in Grand Prix racing during the 1920s and established a new World Land Speed Record mark in 1924 with a 10.7-litre overhead-valve V12.

Delage diversified into the luxury tourer market by 1930 with the introduction of the D6, replacing the Delage DM and the smaller-engined Delage DR. Four-cylinder DI and six-cylinder DM cars formed the mainstay of touring-car production in the 1920s, moving further upmarket in 1929 with the introduction of the 4-liter D8 straight-eight at the Paris Salon. The D8 and D6 (essentially a D8 with two fewer cylinders) were joined by a slightly lighter, six-cylinder model named the DS. In the wake of the 1929 stock market crash, like most automakers, Delage struggled during the economic hardship.

At the time of its introduction, the D6 was offered with either a 124- or 129.5-inch wheelbase and the six-cylinder engine displaced 3,045cc and offered 75 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. Production of the first generation of the D6 continued through 1933, with a total of 1,160 examples being produced during that time.

The Delage D6-11 was introduced in October of 1932 at the 26th Paris Motor Show, with production commencing the following Spring. Hoping to appeal to a wider audience of buyers, the D6-11 was even more affordable than the original DE6. Its short-stroke (75x75.5mm) overhead-valve 2,001cc six-cylinder engine offered 55 horsepower at 4,000 RPM and was backed by a four-speed synchromesh gearbox. The '11' in its name was in reference to the fiscal (taxable) horsepower, calculated from cylinder dimensions and not from actual engine power. The electrically welded chassis featured transverse-leaf independent front suspension and came in short or long wheelbase versions, known as 'normal' (120-inch) and 'long' (128-inch). Production of the D6-11 lasted through 1934.

A special 'S' version, with 'S' representing Surbaisse-French for 'lowered', was available and known as the D6-11S. This version used a shortened wheelbase chassis and its engine offered 60 horsepower at 4,500 RPM. The Delage D6-65 of 1934 and 1935 rested on a 133-inch wheelbase and its 2,678cc 6-cylinder engine produced 65 horsepower at 4,000 RPM.

Delahaye merged with Delage in 1935 with both Louis Delage and his technical office retaining their autonomy while gaining access to Delahaye's technology and parts bin. The last Delage vehicle produced at the factory plant at Courbevoie, which Delage had occupied since 1910, was in April of 1935. Production was transferred to the Delahaye factory, in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, where the production facilities were shared by the two companies.

Following the merger, the D6-65 was replaced by the Delage D6-60 resting on a 124-inch wheelbase shared with four-cylinder Delahaey Models. Power was from a Delage-designed straight-6 2335cc unit that was increased to 2,528cc, boosting output to 67 horsepower at 3,500 RPM, up from 56 hp. Production of the D6-60 lasted from 1935 through 1937, the same time period that the D6-80 was produced. Its 3,227cc six-cylinder engine offered 72 horsepower and was distinguished from its D6-60 sibling by its longer, 132-inch wheelbase which was also shared with a Delahaye.

The Delage D6-70

Louis Delage modified the Delahaye 135 engine, giving it a shorter stroke resulting in a decreased displacement size of 2,729 cubic centimeters, and fitting a modified head. With three Solex carburetors, the OHV straight 6-cylinder unit developed 90 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. Using the Type 134 chassis, which had a 124-inch wheelbase, Louis and Arthur Michelat removed the friction shocks and replaced them with Houdaille shock absorbers, and added hydraulic Bendix brakes to the front and rear. Most D6-70 models received the optional Cotal electromagnetic gearbox, which was an almost automatic transmission system that had four speeds plus reverse.

The D6-70 and its potent engine made it suitable for luxurious (heavy) coachwork, and it proved to be a potent competitor in the motorsport department as well. It won the Tourist Trophy at Donington Park in 1938 and finished second in the Le Mans 24-Hour in 1939 and 1949.

When World War II came to a close and peacetime resumed, Delage remained a part of Delahaye. Production resumed with the D6 3-Liter positioned as a more affordable model to the Delahaye. Beneath its bonnet was a 2,984cc straight-6 with 90 horsepower and built atop the same wheelbase platforms as before the war. Delage production ceased in 1954 and Delahaye followed shortly thereafter, being taken over in 1955 by Hotchkiss.

by Dan Vaughan

Cabriolet by Guillore
Chassis number: 880041
Engine number: 880041

This 1938 Delage D6-70 has Cabriolet coachwork created by A. Guillore. The D6-70 was introduced in 1937, shortly after the Delahaye takeover. Mounted under the bonnet is a six-cylinder Delage engine that displaces 2729cc from the overhead-valve unit. Drive is via a Cotal electrically operated four-speed gearbox and hydraulic drums can be found at all four corners.

Guilloré of Courbevoie is arguably one of the greatest coachbuilders of the pre-World War II era. They were in business for only a short time, lasting from 1937 through 1950 with part of that time suspended for war efforts.

This stunning Cabriolet is a brilliant example of their level of craftsmanship. In 2007 it was brought to the Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club in Carmel, California where it was auctioned at the Bonhams auction, An Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia. It was estimated to sell for $200,000 - $300,000 but failed to find a buyer willing to satisfy the car's reserve. The lot was left unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

Cabriolet by Letourner et Marchand
Chassis number: 51427

In 1905 Louis Delage started his automobile company in France and within a year he began racing. A man obsessed; he won the European Grand Prix Championship in 1927. His dream realized, he closed his race department, sold off his race cars and returned to the manufacture of automobiles. He lost money on every chassis sold. Delage was financially devastated. He sold out to arch-rival Delahaye which continued production. The D6-70 was introduced shortly thereafter in 1937.

This 1938 Delage D6-70 with its 2.7-liter, 6-cylinder engine has cabriolet coachwork created by Letourner et Marchand in Paris. It was built for Mme. Claire Marie Lecomte and was exhibited at concours d'elegance in Paris and Biarritz in the summer of 1938. Mme. Lecomte signed an order for the Delage on November 15th of 1937. After seeing the 'Grasshopper' at the Morocco Rally, she wanted a similar car built, but with a more streamlined and sporty body. The result was this Delage, finished in the spring of 1938.

For the duration of the war, the Delage lay partly hidden in a barn in Biarritz and was sadly neglected. After the war, Lecomte returned to Paris but left the car behind. After being rescued by a local car dealer and partly restored, it again fell on hard times and was eventually parked in its owner's front garden, gaining the nickname La Rouille, 'The Rusty!' It was rescued very recently and the current owner has restored it to its prewar elegance. The car has passed through several owners before being acquired by the current owners.

Louis Delage was born in 1974 and was handicapped by blindness in one eye. This handicap would not hinder him at all in creating some of the most elegant and beautiful creations of the pre-WWII era, and into the early 1950s. He acquired his engineering abilities while working for Peugeot, remaining with the company until 1905 when he left to build cars bearing his own name.

Delage had strong loyalties to France, and he endeavored to build cars that would bring honor to his country. He began racing in 1906 and acquired some success. By 1913, he had constructed a worthy racing machine to claim the Grand Prix de France. His racing machines continued to evolve. In 1914, they featured double overhead camshafts and brakes on all four wheels.

Rene Thomas drove a Delage in the 1914 Indianapolis 500 where he emerged victoriously. In 1924, he set a land speed record at just over 143 mph.

During World War I, the newly built factory in Courbevoie was used for the production of military items.

During the mid-1920s, the Delage cars were powered by an eight-cylinder engine displacing 1.5-liters. In 1927, Robert Benoist drove a Delage with an inline-eight cylinder engine to a victory at the Grand Prix de France, Spanish Grand Prix, British Grand Prix at Brooklands, and the Grand Prix de l'Europe at Monza. After this brilliant accomplishment, Delage announced his retirement from racing.

Delage had left the sport on a high note, but there were troubled times in its future. The Great Depression rattled many industries, including the automotive world. By 1935, Delage had felt the strains of this painful time in history and was forced to enter liquidation. A Delage dealer named Walter Watney purchased the company's assets. This proved to be a pipe-dream for Watney, and soon was looking for aid from an automotive partner who could help bear the costs of engineering, development, and manufacturing. Luckily, he found the assistance he was searching for - at Delahaye. An agreement was reached which allowed the Delage name to continue.

After the Delahaye take-over in 1935, the Delages were constructed to Delahaye designs while retaining their own short-stroke engines and hydraulic brakes. In 1937 the D6-70 was introduced featuring Delage's powerful 2729cc overhead-valve six-cylinder engine and mated to a Cotal electrically operated four-speed gearbox.

A Speciale version of the D6-70 was constructed with Joseph Figoni commissioned to construct the aerodynamic body. It had a Delage prepared three-liter six-cylinder engine and mounted on a Delahaye 135 chassis. It was constructed to race in the 1936 24 Hours of LeMans but the race was canceled due to strikes across the country. Its competition career took a slight detour - it was shown at Concours d'Elegance events where it had a profound impact on many that were in attendance.

The following year the D6-70 Speciale finally made its inaugural competition debut at LeMans. It finished first in class and fourth overall, behind a Bugatti and two Delahayes. The Figoni coupe body was later removed in 1938 and fitted with a Figoni & Falaschi roadster body. It continued its racing career, with highlights including a victory in the 1938 Tourist Trophy. This success spawned two similar cars for 1939, but with further modifications including a lightweight chassis.

The lightweight cars were raced at LeMans where the experience and lessons-learned paid off with another first in class and second overall. The war would postpone the efforts for several years; after the war, Watney commissioned five racers similar to the lightweight cars. The three-liter engine now produced 142 horsepower and was clothed in a body with cycle-fenders and lightweight materials.

These five new cars, as well as the original Speciale, did well in racing during the post-War era, with several significant victories. Four cars were on the starting grid at the 1949 24 Hours of LeMans. After 24 hours of intense racing, a first and second in class had been achieved, and a very impressive fourth overall with a Ferrari 166 taking the first.

As the 1950s came into view, the six-cylinder engine was showing its age. At the 1950 LeMans race, only one car was entered and managed to finish the race but in seventh place.

Delahaye searched for funds to revitalize their racing program, but they had little luck. Production continued for only a few more years, ending in 1953 when the company entered bankruptcy.

The Delage D6-70s in production trim raced with much success beginning in early 1937. With strong finishes at the Rallye Monte Carlo and Rallye du Maroc, the Delage's earned a reputation for their speed and durability.

by Dan Vaughan