For years, the Salon Rétromobile has been attracting visitors from all over Europe and the world, with sensational special exhibitions attracting attention time and time again. Next year's event will also take place in Paris and the first highlights have already been announced.
Six Delage united for the first time
Ninety years ago, Delage won the Grand Prix World Championship against Bugatti and Talbot. Robert Benoist was successful in all the Grand Prix races of the season with his Delage 1500 and was crowned world champion of the car manufacturers. Only six examples were produced, and they will now be united for the first time at the Rétromobile 2017.
The 8-cylinder 1500 cc engine reached up to 8500 rpm and produced 100 hp/l, more than any other engine at the time. Four examples were built in 1927, two more were added in 1936 with some modifications. All six cars were successful and the last Delage took part in races until 1952 and even competed against the first Ferraris.
The six cars in detail
No. 1 - The first car survived without an accident and still has its original bodywork today. It was one of the participants in the first Monaco Grand Prix. Today it is part of the American Collier Collection.
No. 2 - The "laboratory car" was driven by Robert Benoist himself and set a 24-hour world record in 1932. Today it is on display at the Brooklyns Museum in England.
No. 3 - This was the car with which Robert Benoist won several races in 1927. It was badly damaged in 1932. The reconstructed car and the original parts are on display at the Rétromobile.
No. 4 - Louis Chiron won the Indianapolis 500 in the USA with the Delage No. 4. The car returned to England and was part of the Serge Pozzolis Collection. Today, the car belongs to the Peter Giddings Collection.
GP5 - The car was ordered by Prince Chula for his cousin Bira. Today it is part of the Jean-Claude Miloé Collection.
GP6 - This car competed at Goodwood in 1949. After an engine failure, an ERA engine was fitted and the car has been known as the ERA-Delage ever since. It continued to compete in races until 1952. In 2016, it reappeared at Laguna Seca and won in its category. It is currently on display at the Mullen Automotive Museum in California.
The 2017 Rétromobile will take place from February 8-12. Visit the event website for more information.
