Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Ray White]

The first Dellow.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/147249540952?mkevt=1&mkpid=0&emsid=e11021.m164380.l178264&mkcid=7&ch=osgood&euid=a1a8511c614a4ce1b21d23effd5f301e&bu=
45594927590&ut=RU&exe=0&ext=0&osub=-1%7E1&crd=20260409041309&segname=11021&recoId=147249540952&recoPos=4

[alastairq]

Hah...thanks, already noted. Pity about those town & country tyres?

CAnnot think what 'restoration' would be needed?

If the original A7 chassis has been replaced by the 'rocket tube' chassis, that steel would be chrome moly steel of the highest quality, and pretty much corrosion-proof. {Mine is at any rate] .... Although the tubular body frame [which supports the ally panels] might be less fortunate?
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

[Ray White]

It is probably a non runner. There may be issues with the supercharger? Some parts may be unobtainable now.

The price seems too high for a project car ...whatever it may be.

[alastairq]

It's been ebayed for a few years now.

The blower issue is irrelevant.
the engine is [I think?] a 10HP Ford sidevalve [1172cc], commonly referred to as the E93A set-up.

Engine, gearbox[es] and F/R axles commonplace, found in Ford Pops right up to 1959. A very well stocked owners club {FSOC] takes care of all things mechanical.

mechanically, the only things peculier to Dellow [or, what Dellow fitted, which may be a different story?]...were the shortened driveshaft & torque tube, shorter steering box drop arm [less than a turn, lock to lock].....if still on Mk1 rear suspension, then quarter elliptic springs poking out of the end of the chassis main tubes, like an Austin 7, with appropriate aluminium 'slippers'..
The Wade/Ventnor blower doesn't usually give issues..but a vane type blower could be substituted.

As it was a development 'mule,' it might be on Mk2 rear suspension...with the main chassis tubes kicked up behind the seats, and across.....this to provide a top cup for coil sprung rear end. Bottom spring cups were [Dellow?] ally saddles attached to the Ford [E93A-type] torque tube rear axle using U bolts.
I note the car still has the [Mk1] early type friction shock absorbers. eventually the Mk2s went to telescopics, although most Dellows were altered or modified through continuous usage and ''competition development.''

As such, if still road legal/roadworthy, any Dellow is a remarkably safe bet for buying 'unseen'....these days.

I got mine 'unseen'[except for lads of photos] from the USA [repatriation]...with absolutely no fear of needing hard-to-find, obscure parts.
The beauty of the Dellow is that it is a competition [and still competitive!!]...orientated car, using what were....and thus, still are,, readily available mechanical bits, of the era.

They are, essentially, unbreakable...[They were meant to be!]

Mine is altered in order to allow my 6 foot 2 inch, near 75 year old frame to get in & out....without too much loss of dignity. So the seats aren't 'plush!'
In fact, little if any stuffing is in the driver's seat back. Being a Mk2, there is less fore & aft room in the cockpit owing to the chassis upkick & crossbeam's presence....The Mk1s, being quarter elliptically sprung, have a slightly 'longer' cockpit.

If intent on paying someone to do the skilled dirty work, the front wings may cost a lot to replace... But, they are quite simple.

Compared to other proper sports cars of the era, the Dellow is an easy car to fix. Keep the crossplies on the front...but probably get more mileage out of taxi tyres on the rear....in my view.

Eligible to enter even some of the VSCC trials, they also get invited to MGOC trials [Kimber, for example?]...Plus, of course, all MCC and ACTC events.

The car in question looks to still have its original little Lucas sidelights, on the scuttle [mine still has!!] with their little round 'window' on the top, to inform the driver if they are actually 'working?'

The ebay price has dropped by nearly one third from earlier listings in other years.....How much was misplaced idealism for a pre-production car I don't know...History, perhaps?
But the drop does reflect the general old car market trend, methinks?

A dellow having fun this last weekend...MCC's Lands End Trial...car jsut clearing the top of Blue Hills 2..

https://scontent.flba1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/660414453_1488817606099530_1713527000900802853_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=e06c5d&_nc_ohc=Q350aZvosP4Q7kNvwHhTfdc&_nc_oc=AdopKOLY1_GDvyzodyfhnA3Q50OoumI0ZNtztGnWhOGyfO39a4MGzzyJdK1TY9zcuk_h3fDOU6XJMUJfYQAJcypD&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.flba1-1.fna&_nc_gid=OnKr8784wH4QO4yhC2UhPA&_nc_ss=7a3a8&oh=00_Af2op27m_mKF-vqoAfabAR3j1Rph5IrHLaqyiMZPa_hMBQ&oe=69DDA094
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.