Delage

Year of foundation 1905-1954

The history of Delage is a chapter of great elegance and success in the French automotive landscape, inextricably linked to engineer and founder Louis Delâge and his vision of combining sporty performance and luxury.

The Beginning of a Legend
Founded in 1905 in Levallois-Perret, near Paris, the Société des Automobiles Delage was born from the will of Louis Delâge, an engineer who had gained extensive experience at Peugeot. The goal was to create cars distinguished by reliability, refinement, and sportiness—a combination that immediately won over the public.

The first success came in 1908 with victory in the "Grand Prix des Voiturettes," giving the young brand immediate notoriety and the credibility it needed for expansion.

The Golden Age: Luxury and Racing

The 1920s and 1930s represented the pinnacle of Delage's success. The company specialized in the production of high-end and luxury vehicles, often with custom-built bodies by the most prestigious coachbuilders of the time. Delages became synonymous with elegance and design, true works of art on wheels.

Commitment to Sport: Racing was an integral part of Delage's DNA. The brand went beyond producing road cars, also successfully competing in competitions, achieving major victories around the world, including the 1927 Grand Prix World Championship. Delages, with their advanced architecture and engineering, were among the most feared rivals of Bugatti and Alfa Romeo.
Iconic Models: Among the most famous models of this period was the Delage D8, launched in 1929. This luxury automobile, produced in several versions, is known for its 8-cylinder engine and its breathtaking, sinuous bodies, making it one of the most desirable cars of its time.

Decline and the End
The Great Depression and the resulting financial difficulties marked the beginning of the company's decline. In 1935, to avoid bankruptcy, Delage was acquired by another historic French car manufacturer, Delahaye. From that point on, Delage cars were produced using Delahaye chassis and engines, but the brand continued to maintain its identity of luxury and refinement.

Production, already strained by World War II, ceased definitively in 1954, when Delahaye was also absorbed by Hotchkiss. The Delage brand disappeared, but its legacy as a symbol of engineering, art, and luxury lives on in the hearts of enthusiasts.

The Rebirth
In 2019, the association "Les Amis de Delage" announced the refoundation of the company, with the aim of reviving the brand with a modern car. The result is the Delage D12, a hybrid hypercar that aims to combine the brand's glorious past with present-day technologies, such as a V12 engine mated to an electric motor, bringing Delage back to prominence after more than 60 years.