Description
DESCRIPTION
Louis Delage’s eponymous company was founded in partnership with Augustin Legros in 1905 and began offering a simple Runabout model powered by the ubiquitous De Dion single-cylinder engine. Delage expanded rapidly to become one of the leading French automotive manufacturers before the First World War, becoming heavily involved in the burgeoning motor racing scene. Louis himself won the 1911 Coupe de l’Auto, while victories as far afield as the Indianapolis 500-Miles cemented the French company’s reputation for building rapid, high quality machinery. Delage’s first post-Armistice offering was a large luxury model – debuting at the 1919 Paris Salon, the Model CO was powered by a side-valve six-cylinder engine displacing 4524cc but sales proved disappointing so the engine was modernised in 1922 with pushrod-operated overhead valves and a new cylinder head. Known as the CO2, the revised design also featured all-wheel braking, semi-elliptic leaf springs and friction dampers along with a four-speed gearbox at a time when most luxury cars still relied on three-speeds. An estimated 200 were built, along with another 80 Grand Sport variants, and a small number were delivered to Australia through local agents Joubert and Joubert and one example famously broke the Sydney to Melbourne record in 1923, recording a time of 13 hours and 47 minutes – no mean feat considering the state of the roads almost 100 years ago. Less than ten CO2 Delages are known to exist today. Meanwhile Louis Delage had turned his attention to record breaking of another kind in Europe, commissioning his designer Charles Planchon to build a Land Speed Record car around an enormous V12 engine in 1923 and the one-off DH became a long-serving works racer, culminating in Rene Thomas’ land speed record of 143mph set at Arpajon on July 6th, 1924. It was this very special car, which still exists in a private collection, that served as the inspiration for the fabulous aero-engined CO2 offered here.
HISTORY
• Fabulous Aero-Engined Special based on a Delage CO2
• Built by the Delage Garage of Melbourne
• Arguably the finest Aero-Engined car in Australia
• Recent concours class winner, fastidiously maintained
Inspired by the Aero-Engined monsters of the Edwardian period, this fabulous special evokes two famous Delage motor cars built in the years immediately following the Great War, an era when surplus large capacity aeroplane motors found their way into cars in the pursuit of land speed and track records. The first of these was a Land Speed Record breaking Delage built with a 12-litre engine in 1923 and driven by Sir John Cobb, who enjoyed huge success at banked circuits like Brooklands after buying the car in France. The second was the Bequet Special, using a 2LCV Grand Prix chassis combined with a 10. 6-litre Hispano-Suiza V8 aero engine. Both cars still exist and regularly appear at historic gatherings around the world.
Built by the proprietor of the renowned Delage Garage in Melbourne for his own use, the remarkable creation we offer here based on a 1922 CO2 chassis and carries a Hispano-Suiza aircraft engine of a similar vintage, displacing a hefty 18. 5-litres. Designed by Swiss aviation and automotive pioneer Marc Birkigt, the engine was the first V8 aircraft engine. Lighter and superior to contemporary rotary engines, thousands were built under licence in various countries and used in allied aircraft, including the famous SPAD fighter. The specific unit employed here was built by Wright-Martin in 1923 and, as the ultimate development, was capable of 350 horsepower and 1, 000ft of torque. The fully restored chassis retained the original Delage front and rear axles, four-speed gearbox, radiator shell, brake drums, steering box and Hartford friction shocks. The stylish pointed tail body was modelled on the 1923 Delage LSR car mentioned above, while the interior was upholstered in Ostrich leather, all to the highest standards of fit and finish.
Initially registered in Victoria, the Delage joined a prominent collection based in Tasmania around 14 years ago and was fully registered in that state but rarely driven or shown. Returning to Victoria for a full engine rebuild (with new pistons and valve guides), the current Sydney owner was fortunate enough to acquire the Delage in 2013, enjoying the car on several rallies and even a run on the tight confines of the Wakefield Park circuit. With many years of owning vintage cars under his belt, our vendor bought the Delage with the full intention of enjoying it on the road and has spent considerable time and money sorting various issues. Initially looked after by Les Miller Motors and more recently vintage specialists Paradise Garage, major improvements included completely overhauling the hydraulic brakes, suspension, steering and gearbox, sorting the cooling system, replacing numerous seals, along with general maintenance and periodic servicing. Other notable work included a set of eight new leather gaiters for the springs, adding a Grebel spot lamp, plus new Michelin 700-21 series tyres. Shown in public on several occasions, this fabulous creation never fails to draw a crowd. Events attended include Motorclassica, the Australian Concours d’Elegance (taking out The Elegance Award) and more recently the car won both the People’s Choice Award and was a class winner at the 2021 Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance.
Currently registered on non-transferable historic plates in NSW, the Delage will therefore be sold unregistered and comes with a spares package that includes four new tyres, a wheel spanner and jack, spare inner tube, car cover and wheel hub extractors. There is also a CD documenting the engine rebuild along with invoices covering the work carried out. Aero-engined specials rarely come on the open market, particularly one of this quality and Shannons are honoured to be entrusted with the sale of this unique and very special machine.
Note: Shannons advise that all potential buyers research all vehicles before purchase to authenticate originality.
