1937 Delage D8 120 Drophead Coupe

Coachwork by Henri Chapron 120 bhp 4,744cc inline eight cylinder engine with Cotal electric pre-selector gearbox, independent front suspension via transverse leaf spring and trailing arm, leaf spring and live axle rear suspension, four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase 133 CHASSIS NO. 51624 Chapron Body no. 5452 ESTIMATE 700,000 900,000 The Origins of Excellence Though Louis Delage was handicapped by blindness in one eye, it was in his minds eye that his genius took form. Born in 1874, he learned automotive engineering at what was at the turn of the century probably the worlds leading engine designer Peugeot. Leaving in 1905 to begin building his own cars, the young engineer was fiercely loyal to France, and set about to bring honor to his country on the racetracks of the day. His racing successes began the very next year, and by 1913, a Delage had won the highest honor in French motorsport the Grand Prix de France. The very next year, his racing cars featured double overhead camshafts and four-wheel brakes both innovations that were years ahead of their time. By the mid-1920s, Delage racing engines were inline eights, of 1.5-liter capacity but with their continued improvements it led them to capturing the world speed record for 1924 with a 12-cylinder engine at 230.548 kmh. It was with the 1.5-liter engines that Delages greatest glory was achieved. In 1927, at the hands of the very talented Robert Benoist, Delage won not only the Grand Prix de France, but also the Spanish Grand Prix, the Grand Prix dEurope at Monza, and the British Grand Prix at Brooklands. Having swept the season, he had achieved his dream of carrying the French flag to the highest levels in motor sport as World Champion and he promptly announced his retirement from racing. The Monoposto Delage is widely regarded as one of the most incredible pieces of mechanical achievement of the 1920s and are milestone examples of Delages design and success. Monsieur Delage turned his attention to building a road car without parallel. The first of these, the Grand-Luxe, was introduced in 1924. Intended to compete with Rolls-Royce and others, the GL was nevertheless quite innovative, offering an overhead camshaft engine with twin ignition. Late in 1929, the GL was replaced by the new D8. For the first time, Delage had recognized the importance of style, and the new car was truly beautiful. It seemed to bring out the best in the coachbuilders of the time, as every car built was chic and stylish, with gracefully flowing lines and superb proportions. Delages were frequent winners in contemporary concours d elegance, often seen in the company of the most elegant and beautiful French women so much so that Peter Ustinov was prompted to remark, One drives, of course, an Alfa Romeo one is driven in a Rolls, but one gives only a Delage to ones favourite mistress In 1932 the D8 S and D8 SS became available. Power output was increased to 120bhp, and with their double drop frames and lightened components, the new models were lower and sleeker, as well as much quicker, than the original D8. Delage was quite successful on the export market, where the favorable exchange rate of the French franc made the cars quite affordable. In England, the Delage offered more power and sophistication than Rolls-Royce, Bentley, or Invicta while selling for considerably less. By 1935, however, the effects of the depression had taken their toll on the majestic French marque, and Automobiles Delage entered liquidation in April of 1935. The assets were purchased by Delage dealer Walter Watney, but he quickly discovered that saving the company was beyond his means. He set about looking for an automotive partner one who could help with the enormous costs of engineering, development, and manufacturing. He found it in Delahaye, and an agreement was made whereby the Delage name would survive, but the savings resulting from the use of Delahaye components would reduce costs. The Elegance of the Delage was as unparalleled in the 1930s as it is today. One of the most celebrated of all prewar European motor cars, whether with its wins on the race track or show field. The Delage D8 120 represents elegance, purpose, taste and individuality all in one. They were the favored motor car of the not only the wealthy, but for concours judges, female admirers and all other enthusiasts who had the opportunity to see one and without question, they remain so today. The Coachbuilt Delage and the D8 120 The first major new product of this marriage was the highly regarded D8 120. A well-assembled team of engineers worked with Louis Delage in an effort to design a suitably powerful and efficient engine for their flagship motor car. The solution was found in a completely new eight-cylinder inline engine that found its roots in the successful six-cylinder Delahaye 135M engine. The new engine would power both flagships of the new Delages and was employed not only the with the beautiful and sporting D8 120 but also with the longer wheelbase luxury models of the D8 100. This would require a truly dual-purpose design that would serve its clients exceptionally. It was a perfect solution the cars long hood and striking external exhaust struck just the right note, and before long many of Europes leading coachbuilders were crafting new designs for the chassis Saoutchik, Chapron, Figoni et Falaschi and Letourneur et Marchand. Among them perhaps none was so astute as the firm of Henri Chapron. Never given to extravagance like Figoni et Falaschi or Saoutchik, Chapron had built a reliable following among discriminating clients, all of the wealthiest families in both the continental United States and especially in Europe, who sought elegantly prepared motor cars that were as suitable on the show fields of the concours events of the day as they were on the roads. For this reason among others, the Parisian firm of Henri Chapron was among the most successful carrosseries of the era. While Chapron built many closed cars, it was his open cars that earned his reputation in concours delegance competition, as the lines of the lovely drophead coupe offered here so eloquently demonstrate. Chaprons clean but elegant design, with its sweeping bodylines proved a perfect complement to the graceful, long hood of the new Delage. Delages signature external exhaust provide exactly the sporting touch needed to convey the capabilities of the superlative chassis and the coup de grace in the case of this striking Chapron bodied three-position drophead coupe. The lovely side spear serves to underscore the remarkable subtlety of the design, while the rear spare adds a continental touch, visually lengthening the car while leaving the sensuous curves of the body sides unobstructed. Further photos of Delage D8 120 Three-Position Dropheads can be seen in the historic shots in this catalogue layout as well as in the new book on the marque Delage Styling and Design - by Richard S. Adatto. Chassis no. 51624 The Summit of Elegance A Chapron bodied D8 120 was indeed a rare car. According to marque specialist Mr. Francois Jolly, Delage only produced a mere 70 or so D8 120 first and second series chassis. On the other hand, further research provided by Madame Chapron illustrates that there were only approximately 10 12 D8 120s built with this particular elegant coachwork, though each one was unique from the other in a variety of aspects. The example offered here, with chassis number 51624, Chapron body number 5254, is also listed as a prototype in her records indicating the Delage either employed some new specifications and or design features or might have been the Paris Show Car for the 1938 Salon held in October in the year prior annually. Madame Chapron confirms that 51624 was delivered new on September 7th, 1937 just prior to the Paris Salon. Sadly, most of the Chapron factory records of that period were lost during the German invasion as Mr. Henri Chapron flew from the Germans with all his archives and a large part of which had been burned following an airplane attack on his transport out of Paris. From what little evidence does exist it is noteworthy in highlighting the early history of this example, chassis number 51624 and the information above. Another notable point of interest in the car offered here is that its chassis number 51624 falls within the production timeline of the desirable second series Delages. These examples began over the chassis number 51600 and utilized the more powerful and larger displacement 4.7 liter engine, lightened chassis and a featured a lower overall curb weight. Consequently, a Delage of this caliber and quality was of substantial cost and in 1937 a Delage chassis was more expensive then the last Hispano-Suiza K6 sold in October of 1936 in its final year of production. It was also more expensive then the heralded Bugatti Type 57C with comparably elegant coachwork. As one of the most elegant French cars of the period, the Delage was the car of choice for those families and individuals of privilege many of which represented the old money of the era. They were neither garish nor subtle but found the Delage the most appropriate means by which they could travel in comfort, with style and elegance. It was a sensible choice when most custom-built Delages were the favored and award winning marques of the most exclusive contemporary concours delegance events. Further to their success on the show fields, they were also celebrated in film with another Chapron bodied example, chassis number 51760, being featured in the Oscar awarded film classic An American in Paris. While the film starred Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant, Georges Guetary it also featured not one but two green Chapron bodied D8 120s that captured the attention of all those moviegoers and motoring enthusiasts alike. The car that was primarily seen in the film, remained part of the MGM Car Collection until it joined the noted collection of Peter Mullin at which point it was subsequently restored for concours competition in a different paint scheme. Stunningly presented, the Chapron bodied Delage RM Auctions has the pleasure of offering here, according to the research of Francois Jolly, was originally ordered new from the Factory by a prominent French actress of the period. Following WWII the Delage is known to have been in English ownership with a UK registration number of ELM 508. ELM 508 was owned in 1957 by a Mr. J Maude, Thatch Cottage, Chester Road, Woodford, Cheshire and was then advertised for sale in Motorsport 357, 495. A later owner was J.W.Heaney Jr. according to a record made by the late Sidney Fulker. It remained overseas for many years until it was purchased and imported to the United States where it was owned by a Mr. Robert Mulke and subsequently a Mr. Mark Gibbons throughout the 1960s. The Delage then returned to Europe where it would join the stable of beautifully coachbuilt cars of an heir of the Louis Vuitton family. While in the Vuitton family ownership the Delage was given a comprehensive restoration by the renowned Parisian firm of Lecoq at a level rarely seen in Europe at the time. The Delage was a lovely complete car that was the perfect example from which to begin a body-off restoration. The wooden framework was examined and renewed as needed. The panel work is similarly largely original, and has been repaired and metal finished as required, finishing with a coat of modern epoxy primer. The panels have been fitted, and gaps adjusted before the application of several coats of lustrous but modern paint. The engine and chassis have been serviced and rebuilt as necessary, and the original Cotal pre-selector gearbox is a delight to drive. The original interior was faithfully restored with original materials, and the lovely ornamental woodwork carefully stripped and refinished. The chrome and brightwork has been repaired, fitted to the body and properly replated. The car is fitted with correct and Marchal lighting including driving lights and a windshield-mounted spot light - and a full set of correct Jaeger instruments. Other lovely design features and amenities include the fully chromed metal wheels with white wall tires, rear mounted dual spare tires which make for practical long-distance touring, a chrome luggage rack, and the elegantly trimmed ivory leather interior that also trims the carpeting and is matched to the enameled center portion of the dashboard. Following the restoration the Delage was displayed for judging at the 1992 Louis Vuitton Classic at Parc Bagatelle. The annual event had long been regarded as the Pebble Beach of Europe and to participate in such an affair was an honorable distinction for both the car and its owner. In expected fashion the Delage was given a special award of distinction carrying on the tradition of the success of D8 120s at concours events begun in the 1930s. Seldom do important examples of exquisite coachwork come to light particularly ones whose grace and elegance is accompanied by a thoroughbred chassis with the capability of Delages remarkable D8 120. The growing appreciation for these cars is reflected in the excitement and enthusiasm of the market when such rare and elegant creatures are offered for sale. Especially now, given the multiple successes of the coachbuilt Delage at the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance winning Best of Show two times in the last ten years alone. As Delage boasted in their very own advertising, the Delage D8 120 was indeed the very Summit of Excellence with the beautifully restored and fully sorted example RM Auctions has the pleasure of offering undoubtedly being one of the finest in existence. RM Auctions would like to thank the following individuals with their assistance in the cataloging and research of the Delage Madame Noelle Chapron and her Mother, Mr. Francois Jolly, Mr. Daniel Cabart - author of the excellent book Delage La Belle Voiture Francaise Editions etai, Mr. Peter Jacob, Mr. Michael Zumbrunn, Mr. Jean-Pierre Cornu. Please note for a 2.5 import duty is payable on the hammer price of this motor car should the buyer be a resident of the United States