The Dellow Mk V

This was the last and arguably the best model produced by Dellow Motors before the original company was sold. They were based on the "Lightweight" (see introduction) although they were productionised and styling changes to the nose and rear produced a slightly more sedate look than the impressive lightweight.

They looked different to all the previous Dellows and they behaved differently to their more upright predecessors. They were not trials cars but they were more comfortable & stylish and were aimed more at tarmac events, sprints, hill climbs and driving tests. The all up weight of a MkV is 1064lbs. with a power output (standard) of 36bhp, this gives a power to weight ratio of 76bhp/ton compared to the Mkll at 54bhp/ton. As a comparison the MG TD with 54bhp and a weight of 1932 lbs gives a figure of 63bhp/ton

These are rare cars! - very rare cars! - very, very rare cars!!

They are almost unknown even by motoring enthusiasts, only the one car featured on this page is in a running state today,  although nearly all of the production cars survive. One day, the penny will drop and these cars will be sought out by collectors and competition drivers.

12 production Mk V's were produced by Dellow Motors with a further 1 or possibly 2 by Dellow Engineering.  Today, 11 of these 14 or so production cars survive as well as the prototype. Amazingly 2 were discovered in the last 12 months and the trail to a further car has suddenly warmed up - (see the mysteries page!)
Currently, there are MkVs in UK (4),  USA (3 + 2 Jomar Mk1s), Australia (1) Netherlands (1)

The first "production" car was made up in July 1954 although it should really be called a pre-production model since there were styling differences between this car and the later ones. This car was later sent to Hong Kong for competition use by Malcolm Delingpole, 
( see the mysteries page).

At the end of production of the MkV, two chassis were exported to America where they were bodied and appeared as the first Jomar cars. More on this in a later edition.

The MkV had a chassis frame similar to the Mkll with coil spring rear suspension and using the Ford Prefect rear axle but with a shortened torque tube. The rear Ford radius arms were used but set in at the axle rather than bolted through the brake back plates. Like the Mkll, a long panhard rod aided rear axle location. See Pic.

The front suspension received some radical attention. The Ford A-frame front axle was modified to provide radius arms anchored at the chassis sides and the Ford beam axle was transversely located by a panhard rod. Combined coil springs over shock absorbers motorcycle style completed the arrangement.   

Power was provided by the new 100E version of the old 1172cc side-valve engine connected to the Ford Prefect (E93A) gearbox with standard ratios although there was a high ratio crown wheel and pinion (4.7:1) in the rear axle.

The MkV is a pretty car and for those more used to a Mkll, very roomy, the spare wheel and fuel tank were hidden away and the car conveys a low, sleek form. See drawing

Unfortunately the British Motor Industry was waking up and was also beginning to market low sleek cars making the Dellow seem very expensive. This coupled with little advertising of this model by the factory probably led the decision to sell the company in 1956.