A Delage date for your diary

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Louis Delage started his company in 1905 and soon went racing to promote his wonderful cars. Different years - different formulae - different capacity engines. The 1926-1927 Grand Prix formula stipulated 1500 cc engine capacity, single-seat bodies with 80 cm minimum width and a minimum weight of 600 kg for 1926 (700 kg for 1927). Riding mechanics were no longer required, so the engine and gearbox could be offset towards the mechanic's side of the car, thus allowing a lower seating position for the driver.

Delage engineer, Albert Lory, designed and developed a Grand Prix car to these specifications and he produced the Delage 15-S-8, jewel-like straight 8 engine of 1500 cc with 55.8mm bore 76mm stroke, Roots supercharger. Four cars were built for the 1926 season and revised for 1927 - the pinnacle of engine design at the time.

We could go on, but we'll just add that Robert Benois drove this car to victory five times in 1927, including the GP de l'Ouverture and the GP de l'ACF at Montlhéry, so the dates for your diary are 6/7 May 2017 where the Vintage Revival at Montlhéry will celebrate 90 years of Delage. We will certainly be there and hope you will too.

(Text Robin Batchelor, pictures courtesy VRM 2017)

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