Millicent Rogers, granddaughter of one VERY rich man, bought the latest Delage Aérosport, the special “Paris Show Cars” ... and then had that very special car changed to her liking... and had it redone in veal skin. Because hand-dyed red veal skin is softer than calfskin, she insisted

while both the Talbot-Lago and the Bugatti were elegant two-seat coupes, their uncompromising design led to overly cramped cabins and limited views through the windows. French manufacturer Delage, together with coachbuilders Letourneur and Marchand, saw an opportunity and successfully married exquisite streamlined design with comfort and practicality in their exquisite four-passenger D8-120 Aérosport.

Indeed, cognoscenti considered Delage — the most elegant and well-constructed car of its era — to be France’s finest car. A Delage could be driven with ease, in contrast to the detuned race cars of Bugatti and Delahaye that were too highly strung to be enjoyed daily, or the cars with Figoni and Falaschi bodies whose extravagant shapes provided limited practicality.

While Millicent Rogers loved the car, she would not buy it unless some design changes were made. In addition, she wanted changes to the exterior and interior colors and finishes. As one of the most expensive cars of the century, the Aérosport was a serious acquisition — and it was her checkbook. In January 1938, Rogers and her husband returned to Paris to purchase the Delage and immediately had the car sent to Letourneur and Marchand for further modifications.

Rogers, in fluent French, explained to the designers, Marcel Letourneur and Carlo Delaisse, the changes she sought, including reshaping the curve of the rear fenders to echo the sweep of the front fenders.

The designers liked Rogers’ suggestions and were impressed with her fine eye, so much so that they incorporated her design suggestions on the next three Aérosports.

Letourneur and Marchand delivered Millicent’s Delage in summer 1938 as she requested. It was the only Aérosport finished in metallic paint, a fine graphite-gray lacquer, and reupholstered for her in hand-dyed red veal skin (softer than calfskin.) The interior wood trim was finished in exotic burled thuya wood from North Africa and dark walnut.

https://www.collierautomedia.com/millicents-delage
https://www.chantillyartsetelegance.com/language/en/the-most-beautiful-cars-in-the-world/