Lot 727: 1951 Dellow MkII Trials Prototype

Dellow took its name from co-founders Ken Delingpole and Ron Lowe, whose first trials car of 1949 used an Austin Seven chassis and Ford Ten engine, although the former was soon replaced by a purpose-built affair made from ex-MoD rocket tubing. Marketed as a dual-purpose car and sold in kit form or complete, the Dellow dominated trialling in the early 1950s. Development proceeded through Marks I to V, from 1955 onwards under the stewardship of new owner Neville Nightingale. Production ceased in 1959.
The car offered here is the prototype MkII Dellow, which differed from the MkI principally by virtue of its stronger chassis and coil-sprung rear axle. Construction of ‘JWP 888’ commenced in December 1950 and the car was finished in March 1951. It was intended for the personal use of Ken Delingpole, who trialled it for a while before returning to his HRG, leaving this car to be campaigned by Ron Lowe. Restored in the 1980s, the car was put back into trials use by the current owner in 2004 and since then has successfully completed both the Exeter and Land’s End trials twice, and gained an award on the NDMC’s Exmoor Trial in 2005. Its specification includes a Willment cylinder head with overhead inlet valves; twin SU carburettors; oil cooler; electric water pump and modified radiator. We are advised that the Ford 100E engine was professionally prepared for competition by Keith Rawson in 2005 and a competition gearbox fitted at the same time, while the rear axle was replaced in 2006. The car is offered with all post-2003 bills, old-style logbook, road fund licence/MoT to March 2008 and Swansea V5 registration document.