Description

The Delahaye 10/12 HP Coupé Landaulet was a small, elegant motorcar from the early 1910s, reflecting the period’s growing interest in more refined and enclosed vehicles for private use. Positioned as an entry-level offering in the Delahaye range, the 10/12 HP model combined modest power with sophisticated styling, particularly in its Coupé Landaulet body configuration.

The 10/12 HP designation referred to the vehicle’s fiscal horsepower classification in France, a system based on engine bore and not actual power output. In practice, the engine was a small-capacity inline four-cylinder, likely around 1.5 to 1.8 litres in displacement. This motor would have produced roughly 10 to 12 mechanical horsepower, sufficient for relaxed urban motoring or light country touring. The engine operated via a side-valve layout and was paired with a three- or four-speed manual gearbox, delivering drive to the rear wheels via a shaft.

What set the Coupé Landaulet apart was its distinctive body style. This configuration combined the comfort of an enclosed passenger compartment with an open driver’s area. The driver’s seat was uncovered or fitted with a simple weather hood, while rear-seat passengers sat under a fixed or partially convertible roof. The style was a holdover from horse-drawn carriages, adapted to give wealthy passengers a sense of privacy while their chauffeur remained in view.

The car’s design typically featured a short wheelbase, rounded fenders, a high bonnet line, and large artillery-style wheels with solid or pneumatic tyres. The upright grille and gas or early electric headlamps added to its dignified but restrained appearance. Inside the cabin, passenger comfort was a priority. Upholstery was often in leather or tufted cloth, and fittings might include a speaking tube to the driver, pull-down blinds, and a folding jump seat.

Braking was rudimentary by modern standards, generally consisting of a transmission brake operated by foot and a handbrake acting on the rear wheels. Suspension was provided by semi-elliptic leaf springs at both the front and rear, adequate for the low speeds and road conditions of the era.

While not produced in great numbers, the 10/12 HP Coupé Landaulet found favor among professionals and upper-middle-class clients who wanted a compact, stylish automobile suitable for town use. It provided a sense of luxury and modernity without the size, cost, or complexity of larger touring cars.

Today, the Delahaye 10/12 HP Coupé Landaulet is an extremely rare vehicle. Those few examples that remain are prized for their early enclosed bodywork and as a symbol of the gradual transition from coach-built carriages to fully engineered motor vehicles. They are most often seen in museum collections or high-end concours events, celebrated for their craftsmanship and understated charm.