Milwaukee, Wis. (March 6, 2014) — The 2013 Best of Show winner at The Milwaukee Masterpiece – the 1933 Delage D8S Coupe Roadster by deVillars – will return in 2014 to again compete for the top prize.
The 8-cyllinder 1933 Delage D8S is owned by James Patterson, The Patterson Collection, Louisville, Ky.
Sporting original coachwork by deVillars, the white over beige, open-style vehicle was restored in 2010.
The design represents perhaps the height of the Art-Deco-influenced French design principles of the 1930s with a multitude of flowing curves and a long and low hood with sweeping skirted fenders and a raked windshield.
The race-bred four-liter eight-cylinder of the D8S produces 145 bhp. The D8S eight also used a Delage-only, aircraft inspired system where warm engine oil was routed through the intake system, rather than water.
The car has a strong pedigree. This 1933 Delage D8S Coupe Roadster by deVillars was the 1934 Paris Show Car. It was featured in numerous publications at the time, including the prestigious Vu magazine with images and a statement describing it as “triumphant in any concours d’Elegance.” It was even shown in the Delage catalog for the year. It also captured Best of Show honors at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
The first owner was Sr. Aurelio Lerroux, the son of Sr. Alejandro Lerroux, the Prime Minister of Spain. The second owner was Sr. Rico, a friend of Aurelio Lerroux and the brother of the major of Madrid. Under his care, the car was brought to Spain in April 1935.
Subsequently, the car was relocated to the Gran hotel Velasquez in Madrid where it served as a hotel shuttle for guests.
Delage D8 and D8S history
Exclusive and elegant, the Delage D8 debuted to the public at the 1929 Paris Salon. It was fitted with a four-liter pushrod overhead valve straight eight engine with five main bearings and an available 105 horsepower. It was smooth and silent that was nearly unmatched in the industry. It rested on a chassis suitable for coachwork from the leading coach firms in the industry.
The next iteration of the D8 was the D8S which was a sporty version that rested on a 130-inch wheelbase and featured military aircraft engine technology. It had a brand new engine head with short springs located next to the valve to avoid any breakage. The carburetor was specially created for the D8S and followed principles used to build airplanes. The sump was cast with six longitudinal tubes through it to provide ample air-cooling. The result was a 120 hp powerplant that was capable of carrying the elegant coach built bodies to speeds reaching 100 mph. Zero-to-60 was reached in 15 seconds, outrunning a supercharged Bentley.
The Milwaukee Masterpiece
In its 10th year, The Milwaukee Masterpiece will showcase 125 of the most significant vehicles from years past, as well as 125 new participants to Sunday’s Concours d’Elegance at The Milwaukee Masterpiece. The Milwaukee Masterpiece presents two separate collections of collector vehicles over two days, Aug. 23 – 24, at Veterans Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront. Both days, with unique collections, are open to the public. Events include:
• Club Saturday At The M, Aug. 23 – A gathering of individuals and local and regional car club members who display their favored two- and four-wheeled vehicles. Club Saturday will begin with a Parade of Club Saturday vehicles from the Harley-Davidson Museum to the show grounds on Aug. 23.
• The Style & Speed Social, Aug. 23 – A social event in which The Milwaukee Masterpiece exhibitors, sponsors and guests enjoy an evening of food, beverage and camaraderie in a unique setting.
• The Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’Elegance, Aug. 24 – More than 250 stunning vehicles selected by the concours committee take over the show grounds to compete for senior awards including Best of Show, Chairman’s Cup and Chief Judge’s Cup as well as first-in-class distinction.
Charitable partners of the 2014 Milwaukee Masterpiece include the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and Meta House.
Sponsors of the event, announced to date, include Kohler Company, Concours Motors, BMO Private Bank and the Badger Bimmers.
The Milwaukee Masterpiece is organized and operated by The Masterpiece Ltd., a non-profit organization. The Masterpiece Ltd. is organized and operated exclusively to support other public charities including but not limited to those operating in southeastern Wisconsin which provide medical and social service care and relief to underprivileged children and families through various motor vehicle-related fundraising events.
Photo credit: Ron Kimball