Description
The Paddock is pleased to introduce the Delaney Delta — a unique car, a genuine piece of automotive history.
Origin and context:
The Delaney Delta is a one-of-a-kind British sports car, designed and built in the 1950s by Eric Delaney, owner of engineering firm Delaney-Gallay, well known for its work in the automotive and aerospace industries.
It is a bespoke car, crafted outside the traditional industrial circuits, reflecting the creativity and ingenuity of the era’s automotive enthusiasts.
Chassis, structure and bodywork:
Chassis: hand-built tubular frame, designed by John Griffiths (ex-Cooper).
Bodywork: entirely aluminium, handmade by the workers at Delaney-Gallay.
The shape is very characteristic of the 1950s, with flowing lines and complex forms designed to be both lightweight and aerodynamic.
Technique:
- Front suspension: double wishbones with coil springs and telescopic dampers.
- Steering: Citroën-type rack and pinion, precise for an artisanal machine.
- Rear: Ford transverse leaf spring with live axle.
- Brakes: Ford hydraulic drums (common at the time).
Engine and performance:
- Engine base: Ford side-valve 1172 cc (E93A), a light, reliable and popular engine of the era.
Modifications:
- balanced crankshaft,
- polished connecting rods,
- modified cylinder head,
- competition valve springs,
- race camshaft,
- Vertex magnetic ignition,
- Marshall/ Nordec supercharging.
This configuration yields a heavily modified engine and a "mechanical jewel", capable of far more than the original version.
Special features:
The Delaney stores its fuel in three small reservoirs linked in series beneath the floor to lower the centre of gravity.
Engine access is eased by pivoting panels that reveal the mechanics.
Doors open with butterfly screws, and many found it easier to step over the sill to enter the cabin.
History and use:
