The 1933 Delage, once owned by the grandson of Louis Blériot — the first man to fly across the English Channel in 1909 — will go under the hammer with Haute Marne Auctions in Lille, France, on 19 July, with an estimated price of GBP 150,000. Chassis No. 36144 stands apart from typical pre-war classics, bearing a name tied to the golden age of aviation.
Blériot was the first to use the combination of hand-operated joystick and foot-operated rudder control that is still used to the present day. He was also the first to make a working, powered, piloted monoplane and in 1909 he became world-famous for making the first aeroplane flight across the English Channel, winning the prize of GBP 1,000 offered by the Daily Mail newspaper. He was the founder of Bleriot Aeronautique, a successful aircraft manufacturing company. Louis Blériot’s grandson — who shares the name of the legendary French aviator — makes this Delage carry a name synonymous with the family’s pioneering spirit.
One of just 1,070 built, the DS Roadster boasts a 4-speed manual gearbox with reverse, a dry single-plate clutch and right-hand drive — typical of its era. Its chassis — constructed from steel side members and cross members — supports a sheet metal body mounted on a wooden frame. Inside, garnet-red leather upholstery remains in excellent condition, dressing both the front bench and the rear trunk seat. The car’s meticulous restoration is well-documented, with a photographic record tracing its revival.
The younger Blériot — who also shared his grandfather’s passion for flight — sold the Delage in December 2004. It was later passed to its current owner in January 2022. But the Blériot legacy runs deeper than mere ownership. Along with being an aviator, the original Louis Blériot was an innovator — credited with developing early automotive headlamps and pioneering aircraft controls still in use today. His grandson — equally daring — attempted to recreate the historic Channel flight in 1998, though his replica aircraft ended in a crash landing.
Delage: France’s Forgotten Luxury Marque
Founded in 1905, Delage carved its reputation crafting exquisite luxury cars, becoming one of France’s most prestigious brands between the wars — achieving commercial success among wealthy customers and earning it recognition at the time. Its 1927 Grand Prix victory with the 15 S8 — engineered by Albert Lory — cemented its racing pedigree. Even at Le Mans in 1939, a Delage led for 22 hours before narrowly losing to Bugatti — proof of its enduring performance.
The DS Roadster was part of the D6 line — a six-cylinder evolution of the D4 and D8 models — produced from 1930 until Delage’s financial struggles forced its 1935 acquisition by rival Delahaye. Despite the Great Depression, the D6 remained a coachbuilder’s favourite, with firms like Figoni & Falaschi and Chapron crafting bespoke bodies. Post-war, Delage lingered briefly under Delahaye’s stewardship before fading in 1954.
Now, the marque is stirring again. In 2019, Laurent Tapie — son of businessman Bernard Tapie — secured rights to the name, unveiling the radical D12 hypercar. Could this herald a return to Le Mans, echoing Delage’s near-victory in ’39? For now, this 1933 DS Roadster stands as a rolling testament to an era when cars and aviation shared the same daring spirit.
To arrange a viewing of the car on 18 July in Douai, France (near Lille), or to request further information, please contact Michel Floirat at +33 6 80 14 30 77.
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