1923 Béquet Delage

This exceptional car is the first of the iconic Grand Prix Delages, renowned for their dominance in the late 1920s. As the world’s first V12-engined Grand Prix car, it was entered in the 1923 French Grand Prix, driven by legendary René Thomas, starting from pole before retiring with engine issues.

In 1925, the car was sold to flying ace and constructor Maurice Béquet, who fitted it with a Hispano-Suiza 8A aero engine, creating the Béquet Delage. It debuted at the 1926 Spanish Grand Prix and took an impressive third at the Grand Prix de La Baule, despite a three-lap handicap.

Over the next season, the Béquet Delage continued to prove its capabilities, competing at top European events like Montlhéry and Mont Ventoux. 

Discovered after WWII by Hans Matti and later restored by Delage expert Nigel-Arnold-Foster, the car has been actively raced and campaigned for over 30 years in the VSCC and HGPCA. As we all marvel at these fabulous big-engined early racers like the Beast of Turin and the Land Speed record Darraque driving to events on the continent, racing and then driving home, surely there can be no be finer way to join in the adventure than in a Grand Prix Delage fitted with arguably the finest Aero engine of its time. As a regular at prestigious events like the Goodwood Revival, this Grand Prix car is a rare opportunity for any collector, offering an authentic link to the golden era of motorsport.