19235 84th Street
Bristol, WI 53104 USA
(312) 719-1711
Restoration Completed in 2024!
1937 Delage D8-120 Aérosport Coupe Series 2
The restoration of the 1937 Delage D9-120 Aérosport Coupe Series 2 was completed in 2024. This is the culmination of over ten years of research and a meticulous historically-informed restoration. All of the seven other surviving Aérosports were personally inspected and studied. Previously unknown original historical information and documentation of the original construction of these cars from 1936-1939 was discovered and utilized to make this the most accurate extant example of an Aerosport today.
The hand-built Delage Aérosport by coachbuilder Letourneur & Marchand is one of the most significant designs of the 20th century, defining the four-place streamlined touring car. Unlike other streamlined cars of this era, the Aérosport can be comfortably driven for long distances at high speeds. The iconic shape has inspired car designers for more than 75 years.
We have fully documented that Standard Oil heiress Millicent Rogers was the first owner of this car. In early 1i938, Millicent had the car sent back to the coachbuilder for design changes. Her son remembered how she reached into her purse, took out her lipstick and started drawing the sheet metal changes she wanted. The two Aérosport designers, Marcel Letourneur and Carlo Delaisse, appreciated Millicent’s suggestions and subsequent Aérosports incorporated her design ideas.
Based on research and assistance from Millicent Rogers’ family, the Aérosport was restored to her exact specifications, including her choice of lacquer paint color and interior leather and wood trim.
Post Restoration Gallery
Quotes from people who have seen the Delage in France:
“ I was able to visit the Delage outside of Lyon when I was in France in September 2023. Overall, I was impressed by a number of things. First of all, David’s knowledge, of course, is extensive and he is really the foremost authority on Delage Aérosports at this point. But I also had the opportunity to meet Thierry, the owner of the restoration shop and also a CTLP2 investor. He is “boots on the ground” and hands on the car full time. He is an extremely knowledgeable person in his own right about the Delage and pre-WWII French cars in general.”
“ The authenticity and detail of the restoration is absolutely astounding, both on a general level and on specifics. I spent about two hours at the shop examining the car and looking at the details and hearing from both David and Thierry about the restoration. There are specifics you just have to see to know how well all of this has been handled. From the restoration of the bumpers to the front and side grilles, the paint, and even a small detail like the trafficators [early pop-out turn signals] which were custom made both internally and externally to the car. Overall, the car is simply astounding.”
“ It was interesting too to see the car in person to assess the scale and stature of the car itself. It’s hard to appreciate just from pictures how really beautiful this car is. It sits very low. From pictures alone it looks like quite a large car on the order of a similar period Rolls Royce or Duesenberg. But it’s not. It’s more compact. It is just an incredible car when you see it in person.” - Jack Moyer, New Mexico
“ In October 2022, my husband and I made a trip to Paris with a side trip to Lyon to spend some time at Le Corbusier's Convent of La Tourette in Éveux. Before I left the US, I remembered that my friend David Cooper was often in the area to work on his Delage project. David very graciously picked us up at the convent and took us to the shop in Lyon to see the car..”
“ What we saw there was easily the highlight of our entire trip. The Delage had just been painted, a number of the chrome elements had recently been refinished, and the dashboard was about to be installed. It's an especially rare opportunity to see such an automobile and I am still amazed the stars aligned for us to see it in person. I saw details of the assembled chassis and body, the engine bay, and David held up the recently-rechromed grill. What an impressive sight it all was!.” - James Pike, Chicago, IL
Articles
"Millicent’s Delage by David Cooper", Collier Automedia
Historical and Restoration Gallery
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