Description
A 1933 Roadster Cabriolet, a very beautiful example from the golden age of the Automobile: Exceptional, historic, unique and… meticulously restored from A to Z. It belonged to the family of the famous aviator Louis BLERIOT!
Louis DELAGE was born in COGNAC in 1874, and designed his first Type A vehicle in 1905. Soon after followed other renowned and successful models, such as in 1930 the famous D8. The “Automobiles Louis DELAGE et Compagnie” established their factories at LEVALLOIS-PERRET and then COURBEVOIE in 1912, from which many models combining luxury, comfort and performance emerged, to the great success of a wealthy clientele. And of course for some proven competitive capabilities with numerous global successes! In 1932, the D6 appeared, a six-cylinder variant of the D4 and D8…
Our extremely rare example is a Roadster Cabriolet DS (Series N) homologated for 5 seats, produced in 1933, with notably a numbered chassis and engine. And as was very commonly done at the time, the bodywork was manufactured specifically by a factory partnership in a joint venture: the AUTOBINEAU coachbuilder on a LETOURNEUR et MARCHAND model.
Our DELAGE belonged to the family of aviator LOUIS BLERIOT (1872–1936) who sold it only at the end of 2004 (document available) to a passionate collector and former coachbuilder CHAPRON. The latter then undertook its meticulous and very high-quality restoration in the artful manner over many years… This titanic work was accomplished with the help of talented companions in their respective fields, some of whom can still testify today to the different phases of these operations! The 1956-founded association “Les amis de DELAGE” also knows well its owner of the era, who was an involved and passionate member.
This Roadster Cabriolet for 4 real seats (2 in the cabin and 2 at the rear, see photos and period plan) is equipped with the famous inline six-cylinder engine of just over 2500 cm3 and 14 HP, with a unique sound: it runs like a clock, and is paired with a 4-speed manual transmission with reverse, in rear-wheel drive. Our example is Beige-Bordeaux in colour with an exceptional and grandiose look, and a very beautiful folding hood!
It is a vehicle of great comfort with many features such as drum brakes and cables, a radiator with thermometer and a control for opening the slats by a mechanically coupled system to a thermostat, an electric windscreen wiper system, three mirrors, a dashboard richly equipped with indicators, an ingenious manual lubrication system for friction parts, etc…! The numerous photos speak for themselves.
It has driven very little in recent years, and is in exceptional condition: besides its long and complete restoration already mentioned since 2004, its current owner has taken great care and had maintenance work carried out by a professional, with a reliability upgrade of the electrical wiring, and above all a full overhaul and complete engine adjustments since 2022. The engine starts and runs perfectly and very impressively for its age…
There is currently no intervention required!
The vehicle was appraised in September 2024 (very detailed report available).
Its file, with historical archives of its journey, is also present.
It is not subject to the Technical Inspection and has a Classique Vehicle Registration Card (Carte Grise Collection).
As of today the odometer reads: 455 Km
As you have understood, this DELAGE is UNIQUE and will delight lovers and faithful fans of this prestigious marque… which still today generates a lot of talk! Also with a project for a “renaissance” in competition being studied…
This is undoubtedly a safe and reliable investment.
We invite interested parties to discover it by contacting VEITURA to arrange a viewing with the owner, and of course for further information!
