The French were famously pioneering in the early days of motoring, with many of the earliest designs originating from factories throughout the country. One such Pioneer was Emile Delahaye, who going against family tradition did not enter the textile industry, preferring to study engineering. Delahaye bought into a small foundry producing 4-stroke gas and petroleum engines, before turning to automobile production in 1894. Following a number of prototypes, production was underway within two years, with Delahaye promoting the cars by driving them in many of the major international races, including a top ten placing in the 1896 Paris-Marsais-Paris race. In failing Health, Delahaye sold the company to Georges Morane, a Delahaye owner, in 1905, at which point production transferred from Tours to Paris. In the period preceding the First World War the company flourished. Four cylinder engine production began in 1908 in sizes of 1,460cc and 2,120cc, a 2,565cc V6 followed. Production was boosted by the manufacture of cars under license in both America and Germany. As well as cars, commercial vehicles formed a large part of Delahaye's output, and the demand for troop movements and other associated requirements dictated that by the end of WW1, lorry production was Delahaye's mainstay. In the early post war period France struggled to recover from the ravages of the war on its land and industrial structure. The Delahaye company flourished during this period, helped in no small part by the production of agricultural machinery to compensate for the shortage of able manpower. At the cessation of hostilities, the company did however begin work on a new design of motor car, the Type 84. The Type 84 was in fact a development of the earlier type 43, with alloy pistons and a separate cylinder head. The two bearing crankshaft of the four cylinder 2940cc engine remained unchanged. This model was itself developed into the Type 84N for 1923, with the introduction of a ball bearing crank and a power increase to 48hp at a relaxed 2500rpm. In total, just over 300 Type 84N cars were built over its two years of production. This immaculately restored example is fitted with the stylish and luxurious Berline transformable coachwork which offers wonderfully civilized touring in either open or closed form. The roof section incorporates a number of ingenious features, including glazed pillars which hinge inside the bodywork whilst the car is in its open configuration. The interior appointments are of course styled to the luxuriously high standards of the day, with wood capped leather throughout. The passenger compartment features two ingeniously designed collapsible seats along with a fitted drinks cabinet, allowing the passengers to relax in comfort during their journey. The exterior is finished in black to a very high standard, and is complimented by an impressive array of lights and brightwork. Such is the overall standard of the restoration that the car was displayed at the Bagatelle concours in Paris in 2000, at which it was awarded the coveted 'Prix de la plus belle restoration'.