1939 Delage D6-70 Three-Position Drophead CoupeChassis no. 51740Engine no. 51740

1939 Delage D6-70 Three-Position Drophead CoupeCoachwork by Figoni et FalaschiChassis no. 51740Engine no. 51740
2,973cc OHV Inline 6Triple Solex Carburetors130bhp at 4,400rpm4-Speed Cotal Electro-Mechanical Manual Transmission4-Wheel Transverse Leaf Springs with Live Rear Axle4-Wheel Drum Brakes*Stunning one-off coachwork*Period Concours history*Recent mechanical service completed*Perfect for touring or showingTHE DELAGE D6"Delage have to their credit many world's records, including a world's championship, and more awards at the principal Concours d'Elegance than any other car in the world... To these achievements Delage have added a third and greater. They have made the highest known degree of luxury and performance available at the price the average motorist can pay."Delage's publicity had every right to sing the praises of what, arguably, was the finest French car of its day. Founded in 1905 by Louis Delage, the company commenced production with a single-cylinder De Dion-engined runabout and within a few years was offering multi-cylinder designs. The publicity value of racing was recognized right from the start, a single-cylinder Delage winning the Coupe Des Voiturettes as early as 1908 and Louis himself taking the 1911 Coupe de l'Auto in a 3.0-liter 4-cylinder. Victories at the Grand Prix du Mans and the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race were achieved prior to WWI, the company going on to become a major force in Grand Prix racing in the 1920s and setting a new World Land Speed Record mark in 1924 with a 10.7-liter overhead-valve V12. Four-cylinder DI and six-cylinder DM cars formed the mainstay of touring-car production in the 1920s, and then at the 1929 Paris Salon Delage launched the magnificent 4-liter D8 straight-eight, a model destined to attract the creative attentions of Europe's finest coachbuilders: Figoni et Falaschi, Henri Chapron and Fernandes et Darrin to name but three. For those of more modest means, there were the 14hp DS and 17hp D6 six-cylinder models; the latter in effect a D8 minus two cylinders. Produced between 1933 and 1934, the D6-11 was powered by an advanced, short-stroke (75x75.5mm) overhead-valve engine of 2,001cc coupled to a four-speed synchromesh gearbox. The electrically welded chassis featured transverse-leaf independent front suspension and came in short or long wheelbase versions accommodating the customary wide range of body styles. Following the take-over by Delahaye in 1935, Delages were built to Delahaye designs but retained their own superior short-stroke engines and hydraulic brakes. Introduced for 1937, the D6-70 was powered by Delage's own powerful 2,729cc overhead-valve 'six', which drive via a Cotal electrically operated four-speed gearbox. Both fast and durable, the D7-70 proved good enough to win the Tourist Trophy at Donington Park in 1938 and secure a brace of Le Mans 24-Hour second places: to a Bugatti Type 57 in 1939 and a Ferrari 166 ten years later.THE MOTORCAR OFFEREDThis stunning Delage was built from the start to win shows and get noticed. Finished with a one-off three-position drophead coachwork by the legendary French atelier Figoni et Falaschi, the car made its debut at the 1939 Concours d'Elegance au Bois di Boulogne where it took the gold medal. Remaining with its first owner for decades, it survived WWII hidden away in Portugal. Undisturbed and undiscovered until well after the hostilities had ended, it was rediscovered and restored by its second owner in 1974. Upon completion of its restoration, the Delage droptop was featured on the cover of François Jolly's tome on the model, Delage: Le D6-70 et Ses Evolutions. Fifteen years after its discovery in Portugal, the car was shown with much fanfare in Paris at Retromobile on the Delage stand where it was viewed and inspected by both Patrick Delage and Claude Figoni. Making its way stateside in 2001, it entered the collection of the current owner 13 year ago. The restoration, while mellowed over the decades, continues to show very well although it could use some freshening in places. The color palette is excellently chosen though, with the royal blue beautifully complementing the richly trimmed red leather interior. Mechanically, the car has undergone a sizeable amount of recent work at Automotive Restoration in Stratford, Connecticut. Reported be a strong and capable runner, the ingenious Cotal shifter offers smooth, seamless shifting on the fly and the unique advantage of having both four forward and four reverse gears—should you wish to see what the car will do in top gear going backwards.Complete with it recent service records from the current owner, this stunning machine is sure to continue to impress and draw attention just as well today as when it debuted four score years ago. With the marque's stellar racing pedigree, this Delage would be equally capable participating in a renowned tour such as the Colorado Grand, Copperstate 1000, Going to the Sun, or California Mille as it would motoring across the lawn at the next concours.