Istorie
At the start of the century, Delage was a sporting marque, producing record-breaking models and competition cars.
To connoisseurs of fine automobiles the name of Delage uniquely combines performance and elegance, symbolizing luxury and the fine French taste that is summed up in the simple phrase “The most beautiful French car”.
Full description
In 1905, at the age of 31, Louis Delage founded the company that would bear his name for the next 30 years, establishing a reputation for automotive excellence and elegance the world over. His creations would be in demand wherever people wanted to travel with speed and style.
At the start of the 20th century, Delage was a sporting marque, producing record-breaking models and competition cars. These cars left the workshop with a mechanical sophistication that earned the manufacturer great success. Delage even competed in the US, achieving victory in 1914 in the famous Indianapolis Grand Prix. The touring cars benefitted from the technical advancement of these competition cars, but the marque also made it a point of honor to respond to the wishes of their wealthy clients who required a high level of comfort.
With these clients in mind, Delage designed the Type CO, whose development was interrupted, however, by the First World War. Consequently, the model was initially launched as a military vehicle, before coming to fruition after the Armistice. With a 4.5-litre six-cylinder engine, the Delage Type CO was ideal for the grandest of coachwork, the coupé-chauffeur being the perfect example. An evolution of the horse-drawn carriage, the passengers sat in a closed rear section, while the open part at the front was reserved for the driver.
During the 1960s, this elegant car belonged to Jacques Rousseau, renowned historian and author of a book on the marque. Turning his hand to the chassis, the engine and the front part of the body, he set about configuring the car to its original specification using a drawing by the coachbuilder. He finished this delicate operation in 1967, having revived the body to its former glory. Moreover, the car had a rebuilt engine. At this point, through an intermediary dealer from Lyon, this beautiful Delage passed into the hands of José Lesu, a knowledgeable collector.
The exquisite interior has an abundance of varnished wood and beige fabric upholstery which even covers the heated footrests. The front bench seat has been correctly covered in padded black leather, as have the door panels, and the driver has at his disposal a dashboard flush with instruments.
This car has covered 5,242 km.
