Chassis no. 12034

Engine no. 93

Registration no. 34 807 (VIC)

(expires 22.10.04) N.T.

Delage manufactured the first of his 6 cylinder cars in 1918 with the CO a 6-cylinder side valve engine, rakish lines and boasting 4 wheel brakes. In 1921 the CO model was superseded with the release of the CO2 and Grand Sport.

The CO2 Grand Sport was ahead of its time with a 6 cylinder over head valve detachable cross flowed cylinder head, four wheel brakes and an integral four speed gear box. The engine features exquisite aluminium castings and typical French stylish features such as a German silver vacuum tank and radiator surround. The car was sold with a guaranteed horsepower rating of 88bhp, but due to French taxes on Horsepower ratings in the vintage period it was thought to be under stated. During the period 1921 to 1923 200 CO2 Delage's were built and a further 80 of the Grand Sport Delage variant were built. It is estimated after consultation with Delage Club's wolrdwide that there are 2 Grand Sports and a further 8 CO2's in existence of which only 5 are road registered. The reason often given for the scarcity of these Delage's is the extremely high usage of alumninium in manufacture many were scrapped for their aluminium during the Second World War arms race.

This car was purchased on 5th May 1995. During 1997 and 1998 the car under went a comprehensive restoration involving a complete nut and bolt disassembly. The engine was machined with all new white metal bearings fitted, new forged alumninum pistons, new valves, and also dynamically balanced. The gearbox, differential, front end and steering box were all over hauled with the fitting of new bearings and gears where necessary. All of the wheels were re spoked and trued and are shod with near new tyres. The brake drums have been renewed and had aluminium-cooling fins fitted. The radiator has been recored with an original type pattern honeycomb core. A replica of a period Delage racing inlet manifold was fitted to accommodate three 35mm Solex carburetors to the engine. The car retains its original Jaeger instrumentation, its correct 9-inch Ducellier headlights.