For the ACF’s 2-litre formula, Delage released the 2LCV. A highlight of the car was its V12 engine which was revolutionary and inspired Enzo Ferrari.
Charles Planchon was hired to design the car. The V12 was highly advanced with double overhead camshafts.
The 2LCV first debuted at the 1923 French Grand Prix at on July 2nd. The sole car failed to finish with fuel tank problems. After the retirement, Albert Lory took over the project and redesigned the engine to unconventionally fit exhaust ports out the top of the cylinder head.
After much testing, four cars were readied for the 1924 season which saw the debut of several seminal cars such as the Bugatti Type 35 and Alfa Romeo P2. At the XVIII Grand Prix de l’A.C.F. at Lyon these cars finished 2nd, 3rd and 6th behind the winning Alfa Romeo P2 of Giuseppe Campari. This is one of the first times that Alfa Romeo team manager Enzo Ferrari saw the race potential of the V12 engine.
For 1925, the 2LCV was fitted with a supercharger that boosted power to over 200 bhp. Unfortunately, the system was unreliable and all the cars retired at the I Grand Prix de Belgique at Spa. Fortunately, the bugs were worked out for the XIX Grand Prix de l’A.C.F. where the Delage 2LCV of Robert Benoist and Albert Divo took first overall, 10 minutes ahead of their teammates and a contingent of Bugattis.
With an imposed limit of 1.5-litres, the 2LCV was replaced by the Delage 15 S8 in 1926.
1924 Delage 2LCV Image Gallery
In Detail
| type | Racing Car |
| built at | France |
| production | 5 |
| engine | 60º V12 |
| position | Front, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Twin Roots-Type Superchargers |
| block material | Cast Iron |
| valvetrain | DOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | Twin Zenith Carburetors |
| displacement | 1984 cc / 121.07 in³ |
| bore | 81.3 mm / 3.2 in |
| stroke | 80.0 mm / 3.1 in |
| power | 152.9 kw / 205 bhp |
| specific output | 103.33 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 315.38 bhp per tonne |
| body / frame | Aluminum Body over Steel Frame |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front brakes | Drums |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| f suspension | Solid Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Double Friction Dampers |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Double Friction Dampers |
| curb weight | 650 kg / 1433 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2600 mm / 102.4 in |
| front track | 1300 mm / 51.2 in |
| rear track | 1200 mm / 47.2 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| top speed | ~190 kph / 118 mph |
Keyword: 1924 Delage 2LCV