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1937 Delage D8-100

Founded in 1905 by Louis Delage, the company initially produced a single-cylinder DeDion-engined runabout, and within a few years, its portfolio expanded to multi-cylinder products. As early as 1908, Louis himself had won the Coupe Des Voiturettes with a single-cylinder Delage and the in 1911 the Coupe de l'Auto in a 3.0-liter four-cylinder. This was followed by victories at the Grand Prix du Mans and the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race prior to World War II.

Motorsport competition helped to test and improve the company's products, and it provided valuable publicity for the brand. Delage became a major force in Grand Prix competition during the 1920s and set a new World Land Speed Record mark in 1924 with a 10.7-liter V12.

Four-cylinder DI and six-cylinder DM models were the company's 'bread and butter' touring car models during the 1920s. In 1929, at the Paris Salon, Delage introduced the Maurice Gaultier-designed D8 with an X-braced chassis, servo-assisted braking, and a four-liter overhead-valve straight eight engine. In many ways, it was the road-going version of the Delage 1500 Grand Prix World Championship-winning car from 1927. Bodied by the finest coachbuilders of the era, the Delage D8 attracted the attention of many influential and socially elite clientele. Among the list of D8 owners included King Alexander of Yugoslavia, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, and King Gustav V of Sweden. For those of more modest means, Delage offered the DS and D6 six-cylinder models.

The D8 was offered in 'Normale' and 'sports' guises, with the latter known as the D8 S. It received a modified valve gear and higher compression resulting in a boost of output to 118 brake horsepower at 3,800 RPM. When this engine was installed in the 'Normale' chassis, the model was referred to as the D8 C.

The Delage D8 received a favorable reception, but like many, was forced into receivership due to the Great Depression. Delahaye assumed control of the Delage company in 1935, the same year that a new Delage sales and marketing company, SNAD, was established. Delahaye's focus remained steadfast on sporty products and its motorsport program while Delage was positioned to cater to the luxury segment. Shortly after the acquisition, in January of 1936, work began on a new eight-cylinder chassis designed to carry the large and luxurious coachwork. The existing Delahaye 135 model's 3,227cc six-cylinder was re-engineered as Delage's 4.3-liter eight-cylinder paired with a Cotal electromagnetic preselect gearbox.

Delage D8-100

The D8-100 was the first of the eight-cylinder Delage automobiles to be built under the auspices of Delahaye. Its enlarged engine developed roughly 100 brake horsepower at 3,500 RPM and was installed in either a 132- or 143-inch wheelbase chassis. The shorter chassis may not have been offered after 1936. Many of the D8 bodies were created by Letourneur & Marchand and their subsidiary, Autobineau. Other coachbuilders included Saoutchik, Figoni et Falaschi, Labourdette and Franay.

The Delage D8-100 was produced through 1940, brought to an end by the declaration of war in 1939 and the invasion of northern France, in 1940. During the War, the Delahaye plant was taken over by the German military occupation. When peacetime resumed, production of Delage's six-cylinder models resumed but its eight-cylinder models did not.

Delage D8-120

Near the close of 1937, Delage introduced the D8-120 which was similar to its D8-100 sibling but with an enlarged cylinder bore (by 4mm), offering 120 bhp at 4,500 RPM.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe Chauffeur by Franay
Chassis number: 50770
Engine number: 50770

This 1937 Delage Coupé Chauffeur is believed to be the fifth D8-100 produced and one of five examples bodied with this coachwork by Carrosserie Franay. When new, this car was exhibited by Franay at the concours d'elegance at Deauville on July 14th, 1936. It may also have been the vehicle displayed on the coachbuilder's stand at the Paris Salon later that October.

This Delage D8 remained in France until the late 1950s before being exported to the United States. Fred Tycher of Dallas, Texas acquired the Delage in the 1960s and treated it to its first restoration. It was shown in CCCA competition during the early 1970s and appeared in Automobile Quarterly, Volume 14, Number 2.

The Delage has been given a cosmetic restoration and finished in its present formal black exterior with black leather and pinstriped soft grey cloth upholstery.

by Dan Vaughan

Louis Delage was born in 1874 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. He worked with the company until 1905 when he left to build cars bearing his own name.

Delage had strong loyalty 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.

The first new product from this union was the D8-120. Mounted in the long, graceful bonnets were an eight-cylinder engine. The engine was basically a Delahaye 135MS six with two additional cylinders. Some of Europe's greatest coachbuilders were tasked with creating designs for the chassis. The list includes Saoutchik, Chapron, Pourtout, and Letourner et Marchand.

The Delage D8's were very impressive automobiles that had style and glamour in a high-performance package. Though the economic disparity of the time begged Delage to move down market, the company refused and continued to produce its high-priced machines.

The Delage D8-120 had hydraulic brakes, Cotal electromagnet gearbox, and a suspension comprised of transverse leaf springs in the front. The 4.3-liter eight-cylinder engine was capable of producing nearly 100 horsepower in unmodified guise.

The Delage D8-100 was a long-wheelbase version of the short-wheelbase D8-120. Both the D8-100 and D-120 were built as a conventional rolling chassis and supplied to the coachbuilders for completion. The coachbuilders would often construct the final product to the exact specifications and requirements supplied by the customer. Because of this, many of the vehicles and their specifications vary considerably. Prior to World War II, around 100 examples were created.

Production of the Delage vehicles continued until 1953.

by Dan Vaughan