For four years, students in the Grande École Program at the Arts et Métiers campusesin Metz and Châlons-en-Champagne will work on redesigning the legendary Delage V12 Labourdette car to be identical to the original... without any plans.
The work of an investigator
The seven student projects began in September 2019, spearheaded by the association Les Amis de Delage. The students conducted bibliographic research, which enabled them to identify existing sources describing the car, including photos, pre-race registration documents, and press clippings.
Studying photos, separating myth from reality, cross-checking sources—the investigation conducted by the students must lead them to assess each element. But be careful, they will have to be able to justify their choices scientifically.
Ultimately, students will be required to provide digital models of the entire car. This will include the overall architecture of the famous V12 engine!
A multidisciplinary project
To support them, the students are supervised by Arts et Métiers staff Arts et Métiers a wide range of skills: designers, machinists, foundry workers, teachers, and even a former engine designer. Most of them have already worked on the redesign and manufacture of the Golden Beetle, which was completed last year.
But the students are also in contact with external partners they met last November:
• Les Amis de Delage, an association of car enthusiasts,
• Auto Classique Touraine, a company specializing in the restoration and renovation of pre-war cars, with staff possessing rare and specialized manual skills,
• Bertrandt, a consulting firm specializing in vehicle design from A to Z.
As the project progresses, students will have the opportunity to meet other partners such as BASF, Touraine Radiateur, and the Varenne foundry.
Working in project mode
During their studies, students in the Grande École Program undertake several educational projects. Group work, implementation of project monitoring tools, reverse planning, etc., the project mode allows students to learn how to organize themselves together.
This is experience that they will be able to put to immediate use in management positions within the company. This is particularly true for a project such as Delage, which is constantly evolving and will ultimately result in a tangible outcome: the manufacture of the car.
Rétromobile: exhibition of early works
Students currently working on the Delage project will have the opportunity to showcase the initial results of their work at the Rétromobile show from February 5 to 9, 2020, at Porte de Versailles.
In September 2020, upcoming student projects will provide an opportunity to study the pieces in terms of manufacturing. This work has been prepared by this year's students.
Delage, a legendary French brand
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It was equipped with a V12 engine (12 cylinders in a V configuration), THE legendary engine known for its power and sound.
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It was streamlined, the result of extensive wind tunnel testing conducted by aerodynamics engineer Jean Andréau. This was an innovation at a time when cars were sold with only a chassis and an engine.
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Only one model was ever made, and it has hardly ever been driven, adding to the myth surrounding it!
