Delage

Delage is a French Marque automobile founded in 1905 by Louis Delage (1874-1947) with Levallois-Perret close to Paris and disappeared in 1953 (repurchased by Delahaye in 1935).

History

Foundation

Founded in 1905 by Louis Delage, street Cormeilles with Levallois-Perret, the company was initially right only one factory of assembly, buying driving and frame with other manufacturers to equip them with elements of body. The first model is a Delage Type has with one-cylinder engine Of Dion-Button of 9 ch.

In 1907, the factory moves street Baudin always in Levallois for agrandire with 4000 m2 of workshop. Delage gains this same year the automobile Grand Prix of France to Dieppe of 500 km to 80 km/h of average.

In 1908, success allows the development of the factory and the entry in competition in the races of Grand Prix.

The following year, the manufacture of clean engines starts, as well as the creation of advanced body. The Delage mark then starts to gain important races, until the beginning of the First World War in 1914, where the new factory of Courbevoie is transformed for military use.

In 1912, the factories again move boulevard of Verdun to Courbevoie always for agrandire.

After the war, the prosperous Delage mark, producing vehicles of tourism and luxury of great quality.

Competition

In competition, Dick Seaman and controls it Kay Petre become famous in England with their racing cars Delage racing whereas in France, Robert Benoist and Rene Thomas belong to large the pilots of the moment.

In 1914, Thomas goes to the the United States and gains with Delage the 500 Miles of Indianapolis. In 1924, it establishes new speed records to 230 km/h. The first Grand Prix of Great Britain in 1926 is gained by the French Louis Wagner and Robert Senechal over a Delage 155B. Until the medium of the Years 1920, Delage dominate the competition, and Benoist gains the automobile Grand Prix of Great Britain, of France, of Spain and of Italy.

After the First World War leaves:

Delage CO (1918, 6 cylinders, 4524 cm ³, 20 CV)
Delage OF
Delage DI (2121cm ³)
Delage CO2 (1921)
Delage GL (5954cm ³, 30 ch)
Delage DM (6 cylinder, 3174 cm ³)
Delage DR. (6 cylinder, 2516 cm ³)
Delage D6-11 (2101 cm ³)
Delage D8-15 (2768 cm ³)
Delage D6-65
Delage D8-85
Delage D8-105
…

Disappearance

However, the Grande Depression of the Années 1930 occurs in France and in 1935 the company goes bankrupt. The Delage factory of Courbevoie is closed and its sold material. A license for the Delage mark will be negotiated with the mark Delahaye, which will produce a Delage model until its disappearance in 1953.

In 1956, “the Friends of Delage” creates the association of the same name to help the owners of Delage. This association is always active it repurchased besides the rights a few years ago to become owner of the Delage mark.

External bonds

Delage.org - Official site

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