Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
27/12/2025 7:38 am
1938 Delage d8-120 de Villars Roadster
From the http://www...
The 1938 Delage D8-120 de Villars Roadster is a rare and highly acclaimed vintage car, known for its stunning Art Deco coachwork, powerful straight-eight engine, and significant awards at major concours events.
Key Features and Specifications
- Engine: The car is powered by a 4.7-litre straight-eight engine, producing around 120 horsepower. The engine was a first for the French auto industry when introduced in the D8 range and was praised for its smoothness.
- Coachwork: The exquisite, one-off two-seater body was designed and built by the prestigious French coachbuilder De Villars. The design is noted for its dramatic proportions, riveted fenders, and overall Art Deco style.
- Chassis and Performance: It features a rigid axle suspension with semi-elliptic leaf springs and friction dampers, along with hydraulic drum brakes. The D8-120 was available with a shorter, sportier 335 cm wheelbase.
- Transmission: A Cotal four-speed electric pre-selector gearbox was used, which contributed to the car's excellent road manners and handling.
Awards and Recognition
The specific 1938 Delage Type D8-120 S Cabriolet by De Villars currently owned by Fritz Burkard has won numerous prestigious awards:
- Grand Prize at the Concours de l'Auto de Printemps (1938): The car won this award upon its initial showing.
- Best of Show at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace (2022): This win made the car eligible for a higher honor.
- The Peninsula Classics 2022 Best of the Best Award: This is considered the highest honor for a car collector, selecting a winner from elite major concours events.
- Best of Show at the Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week (2023): The car continued its winning streak by securing this top award as well.
Market Value
Due to its exceptional rarity, unique design, and award-winning status, a precise market value is difficult to determine without a specific auction result for this one-off vehicle. However, comparable Delage D8 models have fetched significant prices at auction:
- A 1938 Delage D8-120 Aerosport Coupe had an unsold estimate of $2,500,000 - $3,000,000 at a 2014 Mecum auction.
- A 1937 Delage D8-120 Letourneur et Marchand Coach Jelm sold for $1,105,000 in 2023.
- Other D8s have sold for values ranging from several hundred thousand to over a million US dollars, depending heavily on the specific coachbuilder and provenance.
https://www.luxuriousmagazine.com/1938-delage-d8-120-de-villars-audrain/
John Bono
North Jersey
27/12/2025 7:42 am
Beautiful. I have a model of the coupe behind it.
David Green and John Bono reacted
Topic starter
27/12/2025 7:47 am
Another beauty...It's a 1937 Delage D8 120S Pourtout Aero Coupe'Beautiful. I have a model of the coupe behind it.
PIC: Something different #101 (12/27/2025)
From the http://www...The 1937 Delage D8-120 S Pourtout Aéro Coupé is a unique masterpiece of French Art Deco automotive design, known for its groundbreaking aerodynamic styling and luxurious performance. It was custom-built by coachbuilder Marcel Pourtout for Louis Delage himself, based on a design by Georges Paulin.
Design and History
- A One-Off Masterpiece: This specific vehicle (chassis number 51620) is a one-of-a-kind model, built for the 1937 Paris Auto Salon and then used as Louis Delage's personal car.
- Aerodynamic Innovation: The car's design, penned by Georges Paulin, was a pinnacle of pre-WWII aerodynamic research. It was tested in a wind tunnel and featured an all-aluminum body to save weight.
- Styling Cues: The body is renowned for its smooth, flowing lines, wraparound pontoon wings, and a converging back. Paulin intentionally avoided chrome embellishments to emphasize the pure, continuous curves, a stroke of design genius.
- Pillarless Hardtop: An innovative feature for its time was the pillarless hardtop design, a styling element that would not become common in the industry until more than a decade later.
- Accolades: The car has won numerous awards, including the "Best of Show" title at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, after a meticulous restoration.
Specifications
- Engine: OHV inline-eight engine, with a capacity of 4.75 liters (289.9 cu. in.).
- Performance: The engine produced approximately 120 horsepower at 4,200 rpm, allowing for a top speed of around 100 mph (160 km/h).
- Transmission: Power was delivered via a four-speed Cotal electro-magnetic pre-selector gearbox.
- Chassis and Suspension: It used a ladder-frame chassis with an independent front suspension featuring a transverse leaf spring and wishbones, and a live axle with a semi-elliptic leaf spring in the rear.
- Brakes: The vehicle was equipped with four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
- Weight & Dimensions: It has a wheelbase of 132 inches (3350 mm) and a curb weight of approximately 3,850 pounds.
John Bono
North Jersey
27/12/2025 9:08 am
Yes, I, have the Delage Pourtout coupe as well. But, in scale, I'd rather have the de Villars Roadster!
David Green and John Bono reacted
27/12/2025 10:10 am
Two incredible cars. Beautiful models but I would love to get a close look at the full sized versions.
John Bono and Tony Perrone reacted
Topic starter
27/12/2025 11:35 pm
Most definitely!Two incredible cars. Beautiful models but I would love to get a close look at the full sized versions.
John Bono
North Jersey
David Green and Tony Perrone reacted
28/12/2025 2:43 am
Oh boy, I'm in heaven! Love French curves. For any other French curve enthusiasts, there is a great series of models pictured in the 1/43 forum by @hobbydragon.
Like Tony I have the Automodello 1/24, beautiful model, and this beautiful Spark 1/43 SPARK DELAGE D8 120 LETOURNEUR 1938.
thanks again John, still reckon you ought to be CEO of Autocult!
Topic starter
28/12/2025 7:23 am
@geoff-jowett It's a beauty...love the shade of blue.
John Bono
North Jersey
Geoff Jowett and Tony Perrone reacted
28/12/2025 10:08 am
I would own either or both of these just to sit and look at them. 🤩
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
Topic starter
28/12/2025 10:52 am
It certainly was ahead of its time...a trend setter for sure!@sizedoesmatter You didn't see many pillarless hardtops in 1937.
John Bono
North Jersey
Geoff Jowett and Tony Perrone reacted