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 Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2022