Beauty and Innovation from France

There are many fine and beautiful things that we associate with France. Indeed, one of the most beautiful cars ever made came from this country that at one time had a booming automobile industry.

Emile Delahaye began working in the automobile industry practically at the beginning. While working at the Brethan Locomotive Works in his native Tours, France, Delahaye began experimenting with the concept of belt drive automobiles. In 1894 he formed the automobile company that bears his name.

To test his cars, Delahaye took to racing. He and others had some early success with a handful of wins and high finishes in endurance races. At the time, these races were eight to 10 days long with cars averaging all of 15 or so miles per hour. This was the beginning of automotive sport with cars sporting 6 horse power motors racing across dirt roads. Indeed, these races really did test both man and machine.

The company seemed to be doing all right as a racing builder and team. But in 1901, due to failing health, Emile Delahaye left the firm leaving control to two of his racing partners. Within two years, with new management, the company began to expand its line of cars, turning out its first four cylinder engine, the 4.4 liter Type 13B that generated all of 27 horse power.

By now the company had moved to Paris and continued to make innovations such as half elliptical spring and leaf springs. They had switched from belt drive to the more reliable chain drive and by 1907 introduced a shaft drive train system. In 1911 they pioneered the V6 engine.

After World War II Delahaye tood a page from Henry Ford and began to build their cars on an assembly line. By this time the company's main income was coming from trucks though they were still manufacturing automobiles. They were also still racing. In 1934 Delahaye cars set 18 class records at Montlhrey.

Despite turbulence throughout Europe, Delahaye had developed the 145 and had a great deal of success racing it throughout the continent. This car became the basis for a small number of touring cars known as the 165. The red car seen here is a 1939 165 Cabriolet which sported a V12 engine.

Following World War II the firm began building the 135 which had been a very successful car for them. The black car shown here is a 1949 135M. Other models followed but even though these were masterful cars, there was not enough volume to support them. For example, in 1948 when the largest French manufacture, Citroen, made over 34,000 cars, Delahaye turned out only 573.

By 1953, facing deep financial difficulties, Delahaye was taken over by an arms manufacturer known as Hotchkiss. The following year they stopped making cars altogether and relied solely on their truck business. But even that was faltering. By 1956 the new company was taken over by manufacturing firm Brandt and the Delahaye name disappeared.

With numerous innovations, Delahaye left behind a legacy of winning and of absolute beauty in design.