Delage · 1929–1940

Delage D8

The Delage D8 was an eight-cylinder luxury car produced by Delage between 1929 and 1940. The 4061 cc engine with a bore of 77 mm, and a stroke of 109 mm of the original D8 placed it in the 23CV car tax band which also defined its position high up in the market hierarchy. Delage provided rolling chassis to be bodied and fitted out by prestigious carroussiers such as Letourneur et Marchand and Chapron operating (in most cases) in the Paris area. The result was that the D8 appeared, throughout its life, in a wide variety of (frequently) elegant coupé, cabriolet, sedan/saloon or roadster shapes.

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Chronology

The D8 was introduced late in 1929 as a replacement for the opulent Delage GLS, but in view of the range of body types (and, subsequently, of engine sizes) with which it was offered it can also be seen as a replacement for some versions of the Delage DM. It was launched when the European economy was still reeling from the aftermath of the 1929 stock market crashes – though cars at this level were never intended to sell in large numbers. By taking sales from other top end auto-makers such as, in particular, Bugatti, the D8 became one of the best known products of what subsequently came to be known as a "golden age" for low-volume expensive and luxurious cars in France.

Chassis

Two versions of the D8 were launched: the "D8 Normale" and the short-wheelbase "D8 S". The "D8 Normale" was offered in three different wheelbase lengths: 3,167 mm (124.7 in), 3,467 mm (136.5 in), and 4,066 mm (160.1 in) – which would accommodate body lengths of more than 5 meters. The short-wheelbase "D8 S" was optimized for manoeuvrability and handling in sports car applications. Both versions were produced until 1933.

Engine

The "Delage D8" was powered by a straight 8 engine which was a first both for Delage and for the French auto-industry. The 4061cc engine featured an overhead centrally positioned camshaft and a listed maximum output of 102 hp (76 kW) at 3,500 rpm for the "D8 Normale" and 120 hp (89 kW) in the "D8 S" version. Power was delivered to the rear wheels through a four speed manual gear-box featuring synchromesh on the upper two ratios. Although performance varied according to vehicle weight, top speed listed for the "D8 Normale" was 120 km/h (75 mph), with 130 km/h (82 mph) listed for the "D8 S".

Brakes and suspension

The drum brakes operated on all four wheels. The suspension was traditional, involving rigid axles front and back with semi-elliptic leaf springs and "friction dampers".

Further developments

=== Delage D8-15 (1933 – 1934) === In 1933, Delage introduced the D8-15 in which the size of the 8-cylinder engine had been reduced to 2,668 cc (162.8 cu in). The "-15" suffix referred to the 15 CV car tax band in which the smaller engine placed the car. The lesser performance of this version of the Delage D8 moved the model downmarket in the direction of volume automakers such as Citroën who were already working on a 16 CV six-cylinder version of their newly introduced Traction Avant model (although the project seems to have been a low priority for Citroën and the car in question would only appear in the market, initially very cautiously, in June 1938). The 15CV Delage D8, like the original 23CV version, was produced both in “-Normale" versions and in a shorter wheelbase “-S" version. However, the Delage D8-15 had been withdrawn by the end of 1934. Delage D8-85 and Delage D8-105 (1934 – 1935). The same year saw the launch of the D8-85 and the D8-105. The D8-85 was the less extreme in terms of ultimate performance, offered with a choice between a 3,378 mm (133.0 in) and a 3,578 mm (140.9 in) chassis. The engine displacement is 3,570 cc (217.9 cu in) in this version producing, as indicated by the name, a maximum output of 85 hp (63 kW) at 4,000 rpm. On The D8-105 the engine size was the same, but the unit was modified to produce 105 hp (77 kW), while the car sat on a shortened 3,296 mm (129.8 in) chassis. In April 1935 the manufacturer's financial difficulties culminated in the closure of Delage plant at Courbevoie, as a result of which the D8-85 and Delage D8-105 were taken out of production. Delage D8-100 (1936 – 1940). The arrangements with Delahaye were worked through over a period of several years, with Delage effectively a Delahaye subsidiary by 1938. Walter Watne

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Delage D8
Manufacturer: Delage
aka: Delage D8-15 (1933-34), Delage D8-85 (1934-35), Delage D8-105 (1934-35), Delage D8-100 (1936-40), Delage D8-120 (1937-40)
Production: 1929–1940
Body style: coupé, cabriolet, sedan/saloon or roadster bodies
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 4-speed Cotal pre-selector (initially optional, subsequently standard equipment)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.