1932 Delage D6 Faux Cabriolet by Chapron - £29,995

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Click on the menu to the left for over 50 pictures of this car

There are few more impressive combinations in the history of the Motor Car than Delage and Henri Chapron. This is one if his finest bodies on the legendary Delage Chassis. It has been in a private collection since 1993 and as such would benefit from careful recommissioning before road use.

"There is a select band of motor cars which have the indefinable power to charm the driver and passengers immediately they are taken on the road. The Delage as a make most certainly belongs to this comparatively small group . . . the 22hp six-cylinder . . . feels exactly right and the driver realizes at once that he is handling an altogether exceptional machine" (Autocar, 8th May 1931).

Introduced at the October 1930 Paris Salon, the Delage D6 was designed by Maurice Gaultier. Sharing the same bore and stroke dimensions (77mm x 109mm) as the marque's D8 flagship but employing six rather than eight cylinders, the newcomer's 3045cc OHV engine was rated at 72bhp and allied to a four-speed manual gearbox. Beautifully built, the D6 was based around a sturdy ladder frame chassis equipped with all round leaf-sprung suspension and four-wheel drum brakes. Available in two wheelbases, the model attracted the attention of various renowned coachbuilders (though, most were bodied in-house). Outsold by its illustrious sibling - to which it was arguably too close in terms of both price and appeal - just 1,160 D6s are thought to have left the Parisian factory between 1930 and 1933.

This attractive example carries faux cabriolet coachwork from the renowned French coachbuilder Henri Chapron and was originally registered in England during January 1932. In the first ownership for 25 years it appears to have changed hands just seven times during the following 61 years before being acquired at auction by Mr. Ecclestone in 1993 and forming part of his extensive private collection until quite recently.

Finished in light blue with dark blue bonnet and wings, and with a red leather interior, the car remains in largely original un-restored condition. Maintenance over more recent years has included recovering of the roof and rear-mounted trunk in black vinyl, re-plating of the radiator shell and replacement of the carpeting. Accessories include a Boyce MotoMeter, a stone guard and wing-mounted side lights, whilst friction shock absorbers are fitted to the front.

Interior:
Our car has Red Leather interior and it is in a very original/worn condition. The cabin is a wonderful place to sit and wonderfully evocative of the thirties. All the dials and instruments seem to work as they should. The carpet is quite new and all in all, the cabin is very nice. if you are a fan of original interiors then this is perfect, alternatively you could quite easily retrim.

Exterior:
Our car has been respayed in its current colours in the late eighties and presents well but needing detailing. All chrome work is in good condition. The wheels are good as are the tyres and once again you can do nothing and have a great but scruffy driving car, or you could spend money restoring her.

Mechanical:
The engine starts and idles sweetly and the gearbox is good. Due to the car being in a private collection for so long the car really needs a thorough program of reconditioning before being used for rallys etc. All the mechanicals are complete and would respond well to work. We hope to have an MOT by the end of the week.

Summary
This is a special car in a number of ways, the 6 cylinder Delage is a rare car, especially with coachwork as attractive and racy as this. There are plenty of saloons and limousines available but a stunning 2 door coupe by Chapron is a rare find. This combination, along with the low price means that we will probably have this one in stock for days, not weeks. Please call us quickly for a bargain if you think this car might be for you. It is UK Registered but can be registered anywhere without problems. Recently this car has been for sale with a well known London dealer for around the £50k mark so this represents a unique opportunity at the asking price. The Coolest Car on the road today!

As with all our cars, we have priced her for an immediate sale. If you have seen the cars that are out there, come and see ours and your search will be over.

Please click on the links on the left to view many photographs of the car, but nothing compares to coming to view her and taking her out for a drive!

If you are interested in this car you can contact us by clicking on the following link:
sales@justinbanks.com