DELLOW

 

The second world war had ended and interest could again turn to motor sporting activities, restricted somewhat in the early years due to petrol rationing which introduced in 1940 and still being in operation.

The “Dellow” was the brainchild of two enthusiasts, Ken Delingpole and Ron Low who  both recognised the need for a small well made sports car which would give their owners a reasonable chance against the all out specials in “trials” such as those organised by Britain’s oldest sporting motoring club The Motor Cycling Club, known as the M.C.C. Their oldest event “The Edinburgh Trial” was first run in 1904, the “ Lands End” in 1908 and the “Exeter” in 1910.  The latter originally started on Boxing Night driving down from London to the Westcountry and climbing various difficult hills such a Fingle near Moretonhampstead and “SIMM’s” near Newton Abbot, both in Devon, these hills have been used since 1932 and 1933 respectively. The latter hill can prove to be a real “stopper” as much today as it was before the War, the start being at the foot of the hill, and after a few yards a 90 degree right turn, you then see what amounts to a wall in front of you of loose stones, mud and half-way up an outcrop of slate, the overall gradient being  one in two and a half. Up to a few years ago a tractor with a winch was parked to the top to pull up the unfortunate entrants who could not make the climb, today, they have to reverse down the hill and then get to the top by driving through a special track made through the woods alongside the hill.