A FINE FRENCH SPORTS CAR

A FINE FRENCH SPORTS CAR A TEST IN DIFFICULT CONDITIONS OF THE 3-LITRE DELAHAYE

AFEW years ago the name of Delahaye was practically unknown in Great Britain. The recent advance of the French marque to an assured reputation among connoisseurs is a striking example of the publicity

value of racing. The cars themselves also show the value of racing practice in almost every aspect of design. A lively engine, with a good power-weight ratio, light yet high-geared steering, excellent road holding and cornering, and brakes of tremendous power, all combine to leave the most favourable of impressions. The car tested on the present occasion was the 26.25 h.p. 34-litre Competition model, fitted with an English drop-head foursome coupe body. Unfortunately throughout the duration of a long and varied test, the weather conditions were uniformly bad. Mid-December is not the best of times to attempt to use a potential 100 m.p.h. performance to the full, for rain, fog, snow, and icy roads all imposed a handicap. Thunder and hail were practically the only kinds of bad weather not experienced I

These weather conditions, however, did at any rate serve to bring out the qualities of the car as a touring machine. In fog one was able to open the screen, and the driving position allowed a clear view of both wings, while the doublefilament Marchal headlamps (fitted with tinted bulbs) gave a low, wide beam when dipped, without any of the upward rays that distract a driver. During the test the car was driven all night on one occasion, when the tempera

ture was below freezing point. Inside the car, however, there were no draughts, and it was comfortingly warm even though the driver did not close the offside window, nor wear gloves at any time. Trials enthusiasts know how cold it can. be just before dawn in December, even on many fully enclosed saloon cars. During this night run the roads were in places sheeted with ice, so that on dismounting it was difficult to stand up. The Delahaye showed no tendency for skidding even at a speed somewhat in excess of that employed by other drivers encountered during the run. On ice any car will skid, given the opportunity, so perhaps it would be more correct to state that the firm, high-geared steering

CONTENTS

Delahaye, The 3i-litre 491

Rumblings …. 493

Where is George ? 497 Motor Races of 1937 499 Book Review—The Monte Carlo Rally 501

Club News …. 502 Cambridge Win at Last 507 Tuning the Riley 509 Veteran Car Run to Brighton 512 Letters from Readers 515 On the Influence of Slime-Storming

51? Sprint Results of 1937 521 Effect of National Conditions on

Design, The …. 522 Flower of the Gloucester, The 523

The 3i-litre Delahaye. A thoroughbred car with an outstanding performance.

enabled the driver to check easily any incipient slides. It was interesting that the car was fitted with a Cotal magnetic gearbox. This is an optional extra at a cost of L43, the alternative being a straightforward four-speed gearbox, not of synchromesh type. There is no doubt that the magnetic box is most fascinating. The change-speed lever, or rather switch, is mounted on the steering column just below the driver’s left hand. It has a little gate, and all that one has to do is to flick it across into the next position,

without using the clutch at all. The change then takes place instantaneously. A considerate driver will ease the throttle, or accelerate the engine as required, when changing up or down, but this is not necessary. The clutch is only used for starting off. There is an auxiliary gear lever, which has three positions—forward, for the four forward gears, neutral, and backward, for the reverse gears. The same gears in the magnetic box are thus Continued on page 525