Chassis number 51980 was one of the final examples of the grand Delage D8-120 chassis produced prior to World War II.

The hostilities rudely interrupted it before completion, and the unused chassis remained in storage for the duration.

In 1946, with peace finally having come and basis for custom coachwork being at a premium, the chassis was sent by Delage’s corporate parent, Delahaye, to the noted Parisian coachbuilder Henri Chapron.

His creation, dubbed a Cabriolet Grand Luxe, features especially dramatic lines, including robustly curved fenders that surround the wheels, a relatively low and sharply raked folding windshield, a louvered hood, “aviation-style” bumpers, a pointed tail, and magnificent inlaid wood and chrome interior trim, all as documented in correspondence on file.

It was outfitted with the Torpedo “special” grille, which curves from the top of the radiator all the way to beneath the front apron—a fabulous touch also used on the famous Pourtout-bodied Delage D8-120 ...