At the time I took this photo, one of the finest vehicles at the Danville, Calif.-based Blackhawk Automotive Museum was this 1934 Delage D8SS — the only one of its kind ever made.

The D8 developed into the D8S, a 102-hp engine, only to have a power increase up to 118-hp at 3,800 rpm, according to Blackhawk.

Not content with that, the D8SS had a power increase up to 145 hp at 4,500 rpm. One could call it speedy elegance.

Just imagine taking this beauty on a coastal ride up or down Highway 1.

The beautiful coachwork in this Delage resulted from a partnership with the skillful coachbuilders Fernandez & Darrin that reached its golden age with this special model.

"The coachbuilding firm of Fernandez & Darrin was formed through a partnership between American designer Howard 'Dutch' Darrin and Mr. Fernandez, a Parisian banker," Blackhawk notes.

Darrin was a former partner of the Hibbard & Darrin coachbuilding company, which Blackhawk said created "concours-winning body designs for the chassis of Europe's most-prestigious luxury marques."

The beautifully elegant cabriolet shown in this post "has a removable panel over its front seat and length that is accented with polished aluminum on the hood and belt molding," Blackhawk notes.

"The Lalique crystal radiator mascot, 'Tete de paon,' depicts the proud peacock's head in profile," Blackhawk states.

Engine:
7-cylinder, straight-eight, OHV
3.03" bore, 4.29" stroke
247 cubic inch
145 hp at 4,500 rpm

Body/Coachbuilder
Fernandez & Darrin
Paris, France.

Manufacturer
Automobiles Delage,
Courbevoie, Seine, France

Price when new: $3,000 (chassis only in 1934 dollar valuation)