PJacobs

Orson Equipment in the UK manufacture Rudge Whitworth splined hubs in various sizes. See http://www.orsonequipment.co.uk/ Several members of the Delage Register have used this firm and are pleased with their products. Peter

Well, eight years have gone by and the Delage DISS restoration is close to completion. On the road this summer is the aim. Work remaining includes windshield frame renovation, wiring, and upholstery. The egine runs and I have driven the car back and forth on my drive. I am yet to discover any ownership history pre 1946. It is possible that it might have been imported from France by a GI returning home after WW1. I have recently discovered a photo of the car taken in 1958 at the 50th anniversary of an American car winning the Vanderbilt Cup. I also attach a picture of the car taken last summer ... back on its original wheels and tyres. Still hoping some-one will be able to lead me to finding its pre 1946 history.,

Though I have received some useful information from several people who recall this Delage, I am yet to discover any owners prior to the late 1940's. I was told that the NYSDMV used to be able to provide such information from their records as far back as the teens (Albeit before computerisation of records). However, when I asked the question, linking it to the car's 1961 registration plate 3R853, back came the reply "Unfortunately we would not have that information in our records. Thankyou." Does anyone know whether the early records do still exist?

To Brad, Ivan and Bob, Thank you for your inputs. I look forward to seeing any photos of the Delage that may turn up. I will follow up the suggestion to contact Peter Mullin and his team. I was introduced to Peter at Pebble Beach in 2005 and have followed the growth of his collection since. Your story, Ivan, about your friend David's Delage, has added colour to my knowledge of the unveiling event. The car is a credit to David's skills and attention to detail. I attach a photo of the scene you describe. Noting your advice regarding the DISS timing chain I am pleased to say that the chain (made by Bramton in this case) and the sprockets of my car show remarkably little sign of wear. According to the records of the late Paul Yvelin, the head of Service dept at Delage, 400 examples of the type DISS were manufactured from March 1926 to February 1926. My own records show that 35 of these are known to have survived and I would not be surprised if some more come to light in the future. Thanks again, Peter

Brad, Thanks for your immediate response. Yes, I am the new owner of this Delage. Its chassis number is 18523. In the 1950's the car was dark green with black fenders and faux leopardskin seat covers. During the 1960's it was revamped with red chassis and fenders, cream hood and body and dark red pvc upholstery. When I purchased the car the fenders were stripped of paint, the body rubbed back to green and the chassi repainted yellow. There is a lot of work ahead but basically the car is mechanically very original and unworn. It even has its original Ducellier dynastarter with epicyclic gears .. a very rare survivor. Peter

The accompanying snapshot, taken circa 1953 in New York, shows a 1925 Delage DISS with coachwork by Kelsch of Paris. From the late 1940's until summer 2010 this car belonged to the Bonsera family. Last on the road in 1976 it took part in that year's bicentennial parade. I hope to discover someone who can tell me anything of the earlier history of the car. The instrument calibrations (litres, tours per minute, and Kilometres per Heure) suggest it was built for the French market and imported at a later date. Could it be that it was imported post WW2 by a returning serviceman, or was it already in the USA before the war? I have been in touch with a founder member of the Long Island Old Car Club (who knew car collector Michael Bonsera very well, but nothing of the car's earlier history), and have enquired of NYMDV (who say "unfortunately we would not have that information in our records"), so the prospect of tracking further back is currently looking bleak. I would be delighted if anyone can help me in this search, either with first hand knowledge or with constructive suggestions of where next to try. Peter