‘Delage have to their credit many world’s records, including a world’s championship, and more awards at the principal Concours d’Elegance than any other car in the world… To these achievements Delage have added a third and greater.

They have made the highest known degree of luxury and performance available at the price the average motorist can pay.’ Delage’s publicity had every right to sing the praises of what - arguably - was the finest French car of its day.

Founded in 1905 by Louis Delage, the company commenced production with a single-cylinder De Dion-engined runabout and within a few years was offering multi-cylinder designs.

The publicity value of racing was recognised right from the start, a single-cylinder Delage winning the Coupe Des Voiturettes as early as 1908 and Louis himself taking the 1911 Coupe de l’Auto in a 3-litre four-cylinder.

Victories at the Grand Prix du Mans and the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race were achieved prior to WWI, the company going on to become a maj...