HISTORY
OF
DELAGE
AUTOMOBILES
The
Delage Company was founded in 1905, its two first models were presented the following year at
the Automobile Show in the Grand Palais in Paris, the success was immediate. It established a
unique design for its radiator grille which would become an immediate recognition factor.
Convinced that motor racing improves technical
knowhow and increases brand awareness, the Delage Company entered with success in numerous
racing events, as early as 1906 they participated in the Coupe des Voiturettes of the magazine L'Auto,
and won the Grand Prix des Voiturettes of the Automobile Club de France in 1908.
In 1914
Delage even won the 500 miles of Indinanapolis.
Delage manufactured innovative engines, (one
major achievement was to develop eight cylinder engines from the original mono cylinder engine),
the addition of beautiful racing chassis, fine body work and customized leather upholstery
produced exceptional automobiles for its elite customers.
One of the colors of its range, a
deep red, is to this day associated with the Delage name.
The 20's and 30's
became the golden age of Delage. The House values, based on authenticity, craftsmanship and
dedication to details, confirmed its success. The Company's expertise was based on two
complementary crafts, saddler upholsterer and trunk maker. Delage created splendid tourist cars
that won first place in most contests of elegance of the time.
Racing models
continued to perform on the track: The road speed world record (230 km / h) in 1924, the
European Grand Prix in 1925 and the world championship in 1927.
The 1930 crisis will dampen
this beautiful record, Delage would retain however its prestige for over twenty years.
Among the owners of a
Delage, were stars of the time such as Mistinguett, Josephine Baker, Enzo Ferrari and Prince
George of Greece, ...
This epic automobile
saga will remain in the imaginaire world as the highest expression of French elegance.
Today, with the help of
the descendants of he who took over and played the leading role in Delages's development,
the Maison has dedicated to women its collection of leather goods inspired by its tradition of
beautiful cars.
This collection combines the historic values of the House made of
refinement, elegance, and ageless lines, designed to cross time as its cars crossed the world.
