Using Delahaye's proven straight six racing engine as a basis, engineer Jean Francois created a new straight eight. Displacing just over 4.3 liters, it was fitted with overhead valves and a single carburetor. It produced around 105 horsepower, which matched Delage's original D8 engine introduced at the turn of the decade. Another Delahaye influence was the use of the semi-automatic Cotal gearbox with four forward gears.

French General Charles De Gaulle drove the Delage after World War II. (Photo: Wouter Melissen)

Like most luxury cars of the day, the new D8 was available as a rolling chassis only. The customer could then have the car clothed by his (or her) coachbuilder of choice. Chapron was the natural pick for a more understated design, while the likes of Pourtout and Letourneur & Marchand provided the more extravagant bodies. Surprisingly few D8s were sent to Figoni & Falaschi for their metalwork.

In 1938, the D8 range was extended with the D8-120 S and the D8-100 B. These featured a 4.7-liter version of the straight eight, which produced around 120 horsepower in the D8-120 S. About 100 examples were built by the time the War broke out. Delage production resumed in 1946 but only the Delahaye-based D6 models were offered.

Even Louis Delage bought a D8-120 S and today, the final D8 variants are generally considered to be among Delage's finest products. This is also due to the artistic highs achieved by the coachbuilders and their designers.

For a gallery of photos, see Delage D8-120 S Saoutchik Cabriolet.

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