1932 Delage D8C Faux-Cabriolet
Only 458 examples of the short-wheelbase D8C left Delage’s factory between 1932 and 1933, making it one of the rarest variants of Maurice Gaultier’s sophisticated straight-eight design. The D8 series featured distinctive coachwork by Europe’s finest bodybuilders, with Vanvooren (shown here) creating some of the most elegant examples for the British and French markets.
The car’s graceful exterior incorporated cycle-style fenders, twin rear-mounted spare wheels, and a distinctive faux-cabriolet roofline that gave it a decidedly sporting character. Power came from a 4.0-liter overhead-valve straight-eight engine producing around 120 horsepower through four SU carburetors.
The X-braced chassis and servo-assisted hydraulic drum brakes provided both rigidity and confident stopping power. A four-speed manual gearbox sent power to the rear wheels.
During its production run, the D8 attracted wealthy buyers including royalty and film stars, competing directly with marques such as Hispano-Suiza and Bugatti for elegance and engineering excellence.
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