Vehicle Description
In 1905, Louis Delage's journey to the top of the French automobile
business began about 4km outside of Paris in a tiny workshop in
Levallois-Perret, with just three employees and two lathes. A
former Peugeot employee, Delage knew from the onset to surround
himself with talent, and one of those three original employees was
a former chief engineer from Peugeot. In those early years of his
firm, Delage produced a series of small voiturettes utilizing
off-the-shelf DeDion-Bouton engines. He soon developed an interest
in motorsport, and a range of in-house engine designs naturally
followed. Gradually, Delage motorcars grew in size, quality, and
performance. By 1910, the company built a new factory to
accommodate the demand for its latest four-cylinder models.
Following World War I, production expanded again to include a
six-cylinder model, which ushered in Delage's interest in Grand
Prix and sports car racing. By the 1930s, Delage earned tremendous
success on the world motorsport stage and would live on as one of
France's most storied and revered marques. In 1913, Delage was made
four-cylinder and six-cylinder cars. The four-cylinder model, known
as the Type A1, was designed in-house by Arthur-Louis Michelat. The
A1 was also called the "12CV" in France or "14HP" in England. The
Type A1 featured fairly advanced specification for the time, namely
in the side-valve, 2.3-liter monobloc inline-four which paired to a
four-speed manual gearbox. The chassis was light and the engine
potent for its size, with a low center of gravity for excellent
road manners. Braking was by Delage's two-wheel system, aided by a
hand-operated transmission brake. At a time when many small cars
were primitive, unreliable, and unrefined, Michelat's brilliant
Delage Type A1 was reliable, well-made, and a pure delight to
drive. This 1914 Type A1 Sports Tourer is a lovely example of this
charismatic and rarely seen Pre-WW1 Delage. Thanks to a long string
of attentive, enthusiastic owners, this well-restored car now
displays a fabulous patina acquired through years as well-loved VCC
tour car. According to the history file, this car was delivered new
in Australia via Fraser & Willsford of Sydney. Little else is known
of the earliest history; however, correspondence shows it was
discovered in the village of Gulargambone, New South Wales in the
late 1960s. Following a change of ownership, it came into the hands
of John Riley, who performed with the restoration of the chassis
and the lovely sports-touring coachwork in the 1980s. In the 1990s,
the car came to the UK, with subsequent owners well-documented via
correspondence, service records, and V5C registrations. Today, the
Delage Type A1 remains in excellent condition, with a wonderfully
mellowed restoration. Its body is marvelously proportioned, with
low cockpit sides and delicate mudguards. Wire wheels and black
wall tires round out the purposeful and sporting appearance. The
dark green livery suits the car quite well, accented with red coach
stripes and good quality nickel plated fittings, including
Vandervell-style bell-shaped headlamps and Brown Brothers cowl
lamps, updated to electric operation. The green paint is in fine
order, and the alloy skinned, wooden frame body is excellent.
Black, button-tufted leather covers the seats and door cards, with
bare alloy floors up front and green carpet in the rear. The
leather is supple and in excellent condition, with light creasing
in the seats that enhance the warm and inviting character of this
Delage. Records show the top and tonneau covers were fabricated in
2008 using black Stayfast canvas, with outstanding fit and finish.
The Delage side valve four is quite refined for its class. It has
the power to deliver spirited performance, aided by the four-speed
manual gearbox. Receipts and records show the leather clutch was
updated with modern friction material and the rear wheel brake
shoes relined in 2016. Also, the car features an electric starter
and rebuilt Bosch magneto. Great care was taken to preserve the
patina while improving functionality for touring. During its time
in England, this Delage saw regular use in the hands of a series of
enthusiastic owners and VCC members. It was a participant in
numerous club events, and it includes a VCC Events Passport issued
in 2010. It remains a beautiful car, with lively performance and an
eager companion for tours, rallies and on casual weekend outings.
At home motoring around a village or the cruising through the
countryside, this rare and attractive Delage Type A1 is a marvelous
light tourer with a fascinating history.
