The Delage D8 was produced between 1929 and 1939. Models included the D8C Normale and the D8S, featuring a more powerful engine on a shorter chassis. This automobile is a D8C Normale but with the uprated D8S engine. Maurice Gaultier designed the smooth straight-eight, 4-liter engine, and Henri Chapron created the Cabriolet body. Chapron was famous for his understated style and exceptional build quality, and this is the only Chapron-bodied D8C known to survive. Details include Marchal headlights, pontoon-style running boards containing tools, and crenulated door handles as well as curved taillight supports. The interior of the Delage features Jaeger instruments set into a dash made of rosewood, which continues onto the door surrounds.
Phil Schudmak & Simon Schudmak, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia
The Delage D8 was produced between 1929 and 1939. Models included the D8C Normale and the D8S, featuring a more powerful engine on a shorter chassis. This automobile is a D8C Normale but with the uprated D8S engine. Maurice Gaultier designed the smooth straight-eight, 4-liter engine, and Henri Chapron created the Cabriolet body. Chapron was famous for his understated style and exceptional build quality, and this is the only Chapron-bodied D8C known to survive. Details include Marchal headlights, pontoon-style running boards containing tools, and crenulated door handles as well as curved taillight supports. The interior of the Delage features Jaeger instruments set into a dash made of rosewood, which continues onto the door surrounds.
The D8, built from 1929 to 1939, was Delage’s most successful automobile. Almost all of the D8 chassis were fitted with stylish coachwork from the best European coachbuilders, and the D8 S was powered by a 4-liter straight-8 engine capable of reaching 100 mph. Fernandez et Darrin was commissioned to build this striking cabriolet, which features a removable panel over the front seat and polished aluminum flashes on the hood and belt moulding. It is one of two existing Delage D8s with this body style. After several owners in England, the car went to the United States in 1983 and soon became part of the Blackhawk Collection in Danville, California. The current owner has restored the car, replacing the old lilac paintwork it wore for many years with this two-tone color scheme.
The Delage D8, designed by Delage chief engineer Maurice Gaultier, was first shown at the 1929 Paris Auto Salon. After the D8 Normale made its debut, the D8 S, with a shorter and sportier 130-inch chassis, was introduced. The engine was a smooth-running 4-liter straight-8 that developed 105 bhp. Many Delage D8s with extravagant coachwork were shown at early European concours, winning more awards than any other car in the 1930s. Unfortunately, the Depression reached Europe at about the same time, so fewer than 100 D8 Ss were sold. Most had coachwork by great French coachbuilders like Chapron, Franay and Labourdette, but this car was sent to the coachworks of Freestone & Webb in London. Best known for rather somber saloons and limousines, Freestone & Webb occasionally turned out very stylish bodies like this coupe, which has very distinctive lighting. After many years with different owners, the car went to the Milhous Collection in 2002 where it was restored. Today, fewer than 20 of the 99 Delage D8s built are known to survive.
The Delage D8, designed by Delage chief engineer Maurice Gaultier, was first shown at the 1929 Paris Auto Salon. After the D8 Normale made its debut, the D8 S, with a shorter and sportier 130-inch chassis, was introduced. The engine was a smooth-running 4-liter straight-8 that developed 105 bhp. Many Delage D8s with extravagant coachwork were shown at early European concours, winning more awards than any other car in the 1930s. Unfortunately, the Depression reached Europe at about the same time, so fewer than 100 D8 Ss were sold. Most had coachwork by great French coachbuilders like Chapron, Franay and Labourdette, but this car was sent to the coachworks of Freestone & Webb in London. Best known for rather somber saloons and limousines, Freestone & Webb occasionally turned out very stylish bodies like this coupe, which has very distinctive lighting. After many years with different owners, the car went to the Milhous Collection in 2002 where it was restored. Today, fewer than 20 of the 99 Delage D8s built are known to survive.
The Delage D8, designed by Delage chief engineer Maurice Gaultier, was first shown at the 1929 Paris Auto Salon. After the D8 Normale made its debut, the D8 S, with a shorter and sportier 130-inch chassis, was introduced. The engine was a smooth-running 4-liter straight-8 that developed 105 bhp. Many Delage D8s with extravagant coachwork were shown at early European concours, winning more awards than any other car in the 1930s. Unfortunately, the Depression reached Europe at about the same time, so fewer than 100 D8 Ss were sold. Most had coachwork by great French coachbuilders like Chapron, Franay and Labourdette, but this car was sent to the coachworks of Freestone & Webb in London. Best known for rather somber saloons and limousines, Freestone & Webb occasionally turned out very stylish bodies like this coupe, which has very distinctive lighting. After many years with different owners, the car went to the Milhous Collection in 2002 where it was restored. Today, fewer than 20 of the 99 Delage D8s built are known to survive.
The last chassis completely designed and built by Delage was the D8-85, which was introduced at the Paris Auto Salon in 1934. This chassis was fitted with a 3.5-liter straight-8 engine. Fewer than 100 examples were built and very few remain today. This D8-85 was originally bodied by Henri Chapron and delivered to it first owner, Dr. Imbert in Algiers. In 1948, Dr. Imbert commissioned Robert Clabot, a coachbuilder in Alfortville, near Paris, to design more modern coachwork for his car. Clabot, who specialized in updating prewar cars, had been trained by Jacques Saoutchik where he developed his avant-garde style. The result was this unique Delage that owes a great deal to some of Gordon Buehrig’s many masterpieces. When the car was completed Dr. Imbert showed it at several European concours. The doctor kept the car until the 1960s when it went to live in the Netherlands where it was first restored. The car was later put on display at the Stichting Beheer Automobiel Museum.
The Delage D8, designed by Delage chief engineer Maurice Gaultier, was first shown at the 1929 Paris Auto Salon. After the D8 Normale made its debut, the D8 S, with a shorter and sportier 130-inch chassis, was introduced. The engine was a smooth-running 4-liter straight-8 that developed 105 bhp. Many Delage D8s with extravagant coachwork were shown at early European concours, winning more awards than any other car in the 1930s. Unfortunately, the Depression reached Europe at about the same time, so fewer than 100 D8 Ss were sold. Most had coachwork by great French coachbuilders like Chapron, Franay and Labourdette, but this car was sent to the coachworks of Freestone & Webb in London. Best known for rather somber saloons and limousines, Freestone & Webb occasionally turned out very stylish bodies like this coupe, which has very distinctive lighting. After many years with different owners, the car went to the Milhous Collection in 2002 where it was restored. Today, fewer than 20 of the 99 Delage D8s built are known to survive.
