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Archived: 10/09/2001 at 00:13:47
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Vehicle of the Week
Nice Car 
In the early 1930s, the Delage D8 became one of the most desired high-performance cars in Europe, with impeccable roadholding for the era. It was also quite expensive for a world buffeted by a prolonged depression. Founder Louis Delage was reluctant to change this image to suit the rough economic climate and, after a falling-out with his codirectors, he left the company. Shortly afterward the firm merged with rival Delahaye. While Delages retained their individuality, they became more selective with their range, and a new Delage D8-120 was introduced in 1937 incorporating hydraulic brakes, a revised Delahaye-style chassis with transverse-leaf independent front suspension, and a Cotal electromagnetic gearbox. The engine was an eight-cylinder version of the existing six-cylinder Delahaye; it had a capacity of 4.3 liters, providing a muscular 95 horsepower at 4,000 rpm in its initial form. Starting in 1937 the D8-100 and D8-120 each received several beautifully proportioned bodies by coachbuilders Chapron, Pourtout and Letourner et Marchand. Undoubtedly, the star of the D8-120 range was the stunning Aerosport, which was largely the work of the brilliant young son of Letourner, Marcel. Several journalists rank Marcel Letourner alongside Jean Bugatti as one of the finest young French body designers from the 1930s. Chassis 51018, pictured here, is truly a superb example of the classical Aerosport and was the fourth one built, completed in March 1937. The Aerosport design was shaped by Andreau, an aerodynamics workshop, and many of the details are borrowed from one of the most fantastic closed racing cars of the prewar era: the 1937 streamlined Delage Berlinette V-12, built for Le Mans competition. Prior to its acquisition and restoration by the French consignor, it spent many years in the posh Riviera resort city of Nice. The second owner was said to be the Viceroy of Afghanistan and in 1952 its French owner exported the car for a tour of Peru. -- Dave Brownell of Sports Car Market Forbes FactThe Coach Aerosport was met with huge international acclaim, and although it first appeared during the 1936-'37 model year, this design was chosen to represent part of the French government's automotive display at the 1939 World's Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York. Although historians differ on numbers, it would appear that a maximum of fourteen Aerosports were built and only seven are thought to have survived. -- D.B.
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