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1902 delahaye oa
black mamba
Registered Users Posts: 8,321 Major grins
The French company, Delahaye, got its start in 1895 building rear-engine cars. During the 30's and 40's, some of the most beautiful and sporting cars ever made came from their organization. They are highly prized in the collector car market.
This Delahaye is a 1902 OA. It was the first front-engine car they made. As is often the case with cars from this period, there are so many design and mechanical features to focus on that it's almost bewildering. Look at that radiator treatment at the very lower front....bump anything at all and you walk home. Check out the front and rear lighting systems, notice all the levers, the wooden " fenders ", it just goes on and on. Quite fascinating.
This car is powered by a single cylinder, 1330 cc engine putting out an astounding 8 HP. I'm surprised they could hold the thing on the road. The 3-speed belt-driven transmission drives both rear wheels via massive chains.
This particular car is one of only two survivors from that year's production of about 200 cars. With the exception of a front floor pan, this car is totally original....amazing. It has, of course, been beautifully restored. This car was rescued from underneath an apple-crate woodpile where the original owner's family had left it for over 50 years.
This Delahaye is a 1902 OA. It was the first front-engine car they made. As is often the case with cars from this period, there are so many design and mechanical features to focus on that it's almost bewildering. Look at that radiator treatment at the very lower front....bump anything at all and you walk home. Check out the front and rear lighting systems, notice all the levers, the wooden " fenders ", it just goes on and on. Quite fascinating.
This car is powered by a single cylinder, 1330 cc engine putting out an astounding 8 HP. I'm surprised they could hold the thing on the road. The 3-speed belt-driven transmission drives both rear wheels via massive chains.
This particular car is one of only two survivors from that year's production of about 200 cars. With the exception of a front floor pan, this car is totally original....amazing. It has, of course, been beautifully restored. This car was rescued from underneath an apple-crate woodpile where the original owner's family had left it for over 50 years.
I always wanted to lie naked on a bearskin rug in front of a fireplace. Cracker Barrel didn't take kindly to it.
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Those fenders are a true work of art
Thanks for another installment from "Tom's fascinating fascination with beautiful cars"
Well, pard, I was tempted to say how much this thing mesmerized me but I was afraid you would put the posse on me. Actually, I'd love to have you along with me on some of these shows. But, knowing your penchant for fine things, it might not be a good idea to have both of us running around drooling over expensive iron.
Take care buddy,
Tom
Thanks for the visit. I shudder to think what this restoration process cost. The skill sets required, and the total man-hours involved, all add up to some really big numbers.
Keep your great work coming. I look forward to it.
Tom
www.mind-driftphoto.com
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Thanks for your support, Cristóbal. I'm with you...the cars mean a little more to me if I happen to know something about their history. Collector cars, in particular, seem to be ripe with stories.
Take care my friend,
Tom
You got that right, Jeff. This car started speaking to me from way down the fairway. This event is staged on a golf course which I helped develop years ago. Along came a Ritz-Carlton and then the Amelia Island Concours....which is entering its 19th year. Who would have figured.
Tom
GaryB
“The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it!” - Ansel Adams
Hey, Gary, I sure appreciate you stopping by. The weather you guys have had this year is also reason enough to haul buggy back to Florida.
I am blessed to have the Amelia Island show right in my backyard. A great many exhibitors and knowledgeable car people now rank this show right there with the Pebble Beach show. They both have earned their way to the top....kudos to Bill Warner and his folks for reaching such a prestigious plateau.
I'm thrilled to be able to share what I see with all you car guys and gals.
Tom
www.Dogdotsphotography.com
Hi Mary,
You've got a sharp eye....I'm surprised that no one else picked up on that " challenge ".
Actually, you enter the back seat from the rear of the car. Look low at the rear near the brass fixture. You'll see a black metal foot step extending outward. On the body section right above the foot step, you'll see a chrome handle....twist that handle and the center section of that body panel will fold downward, revealing some step structures. There's another chrome handle further up on the left, near the top of the seat. Lift that latch handle and the entire center section of the back seat swings to the right....allowing access to the rear seat. I'm assuming that the driver or front seat passenger would have to execute these procedures to get the rear seat passengers in or out.
See you,
Tom
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This is truly beautiful! I don't even care about cars, but I do love photography and I think all these car shots will cause me to develop car fetish as well.
That's a great shot of the 1938 Delahaye. The French cars of that period, including Delage and Bugatti as well, were the most beautiful ever produced.
Tom
The more folks shooting cars, the better. We all bring a different perspective to the scene. Get on board and show us what you come up with.
Tom
I really didn't know these beauties existed. I mean this is piece of art like any other!
I live in SJ and visit Carmel/Monterey often. Laguna Seca race track is close to me. Never been there, but dream of getting few shots. There are lots of car shows in pebble beach and such....I may have to go now! Keep em coming!
Great photos.
You know, Ian, these cars were as functional as they were beautiful. In the 30's, they were sought after by " gentlemen " racers for their performance and handling. Sadly, the advent of WWII disrupted all of the French automotive industry. Post WWII, though, saw Delahaye emerge once more as a manufacturer of cars with styling and panache unequalled by anyone. From about 1947 to 1951, Delahaye produced cars that were truly stunningly beautiful.
Tom