Highlights

The 1937 Earls Court Motor Show car
Still retains UK Registration MG 5584
Featured in The Motor magazine in 1938
A powerful ‘30s saloon
Easy to handle and drives very well

The Appeal

The Delage name invokes the best of 1930s art deco design, and this D6-70 is no different: its sweeping curves and rakish stance can’t fail to impress. And this effortlessly stylish coachwork is enhanced by the fabulous paint scheme and excellent leather interior.

This particular car is said to have been featured on the Delage stand at the 1937 Earls Court Motor Show, as well as the subject car for a review in The Motor in 1938.

Fitted with a 2.7-litre overhead-valve straight-six engine, the D6 has plenty of performance to match its dashing good looks. And coupled to a Cotal preselector gearbox, the car is almost effortless to drive.

We’re sure that this Delage won’t fail to attract admiring glances wherever it goes, and having been used sparingly in the past fifteen years and recently serviced, it should be a pleasure to own.

The History and Paperwork

First registered 10th December 1937
This car is said to have been featured on the Delage stand at the 1937 Earls Court Motor Show
Featured in a review in The Motor magazine in 1938, a copy of this issue comes with the car
This car is also a subject of the book Les Grandes Routières — France’s Classic Grand Tourers
Road Tax and MOT exempt
Handwritten correspondence between previous owners on file
Historic MOT certificates
Extensive invoices for parts and servicing
Some photographs of restoration work on file
Wiring diagram
The car is said to have only covered 30 miles since 2007

The Interior

Retrimmed interior in excellent condition
Superb leather upholstery
Effortlessly stylish dashboard

Opening the rear-hinged door to this Delage’s cabin reveals a masterclass in French minimalist design. The interior is stylish in the extreme without being in any way flashy or busy.

Retrimmed throughout, the leather upholstery on the seats is in excellent condition, with few signs of use other than some light creasing. And the red hide continues onto the door cards, which feature useful storage pockets. Plenty of space is provided for passengers front and rear, with wide individual seats in the front and a generous bench seat to the rear.

The carpets match the red leather and appear to be in very good condition. They look like they have seen almost no foot traffic since they were fitted. And above, the headlining is clean, secure and free from damage.

The driver is presented with a fine grained dashboard which sports a set of Jaeger gauges. These art deco instruments are beautiful pieces to behold, featuring bold, clear markings and plenty of information.

To the rear, a spacious boot is accessed by lifting an upper section, then the lower panel, including the spare wheel, can be opened to gain further access if necessary. The boot it fully carpeted and overs plenty of storage.

The Exterior

Stylish body by Coachcraft
Two-tone paint in excellent condition
Trafficators, search lamp and sweeping lines

There are few cars from the 1930s as elegant as a Delage. In fact, this decade was something of a high point in French coach building, with many fine automobiles produced wearing extremely sleek and stylish bodies. But although this Delage was bodied by the British company Coachcraft, it still manages to present itself with plenty of flair. The swooping wings, gracefully sloped rear and imposing Delage radiator all add up to make a very attractive design indeed.

The paint is in excellent condition throughout, with very few blemishes to be found, so it is not difficult to believe that this car has been driven so few miles in recent years. There are just one or two spots of minor bubbling and a few small chips, but nothing that detracts from the overall appeal of the car.

The chrome plating is similarly excellent, with the bumpers, lamps, trim and radiator surround all presenting extremely well. The lamp lenses are clear and bright and the bright blue Delage badge remains in place and unspoiled.

This D6 is running on pressed steel wheels, with large chrome hubcaps which have been polished to a gleaming finish. Underneath, the body and chassis appear to be very clean snd tidy, with no obvious corrosion or damage to be found.

The Mechanics

2,729cc straight-six Delage engine
Cotal preselector gearbox
Recently serviced

Lifting either side of the long bonnet reveals the tidily presented engine bay, in which we find the six-cylinder overhead-valve engine which gives this car its respectable performance. With a reported power output of nearly 80hp, this Delage can keep up with modern traffic and be driven with confidence.

This car features a Cotal preselector gearbox, with its diminutive selector within easy reach from the steering wheel, allowing for smooth and easy gear changes.

The vendor tells us that the car has recently been serviced, including an oil change and new spark plugs. And in the accompanying history file we find extensive invoices for parts and servicing from the 1990s onwards.

Summary

This Delage appears to be superbly presented inside and out, and with its interesting early history it will make a fine addition to any collection.

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