It was Delage founder Louis Delage who asked Marcel Pourtout to build this high-speed aerodynamic prototype (chassis 51620) for the 1937 Paris Auto Salon.Georges Paulin was the chief stylist for Pourtout, and he accepted the challenge. He was also at work on the aerodynamic Embirlcos Bentley, and there are marked similarities between the two cars.
1937 - 1939 Delage D8-120 S
- Make: Array
- Model: 1937 - 1939 Delage D8-120 S
- Horsepower: 120@4000
- Torque: 2000
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
Upon its introduction, this Delage was lauded by the press. It was immediately recognized for being a milestone in streamlined styling.
Built on the D8-120 S chassis the automobile's suspension was lower than standard, adding to the drama of Paulin's design, which was simple and balanced. He used no chrome, no fancy accents, preferring instead to have the pure lines of the car speak for themselves. The lines and curves are all continuous. Nothing is allowed to stand out in a way that might detract from the overall effect, with everything tapering to the tail. Even the traditional Delage radiator tilts back into the body to create a more graceful profile.
The body shape was tested in a wind tunnel in France to ensure that it was aerodynamic.
The body was produced in aluminum, so the car is lightweight and the engine size was increased to 4,750 cc (up from the standard 4,300 cc). So the car definitely has power.