Topic: Solved - MJW #113 - Bequet-Delage 12 litre V8 Hispano Suiza 1923

[woodinsight]

Now going to add a few older puzzles for the experts

Marque, year and who built it for a point

[woodinsight]

No expert response so what do the pros think?

[Allan L]

That looks like the 1923 1½ litre GP Delage that Marcel Bequet fitted with a 12 litre Hispano Suiza aeroplane engine.
Nigel Arnold-Forster revived and it in recent times and Alex Boswell continues.

[woodinsight]

Well done Allan, that is indeed the car.

[grobmotorix]

Now THAT´s an interesting mixture, indeed!

[woodinsight]

There has been some doubt regarding the correct spelling M. Becquet's surname.
I have seen sources that quote both Becquet and Bequet.

Here are another couple of views of the car -

First - the car as it appeared in the early 1980s

Second - In its only Grand Prix appearance - the French GP at Tours in 1923. Rene Thomas is at the wheel.

[Allan L]

Spelling: yes, probably Béquet.
Maurice Béquet was test pilot at Blériot's during the war, and one assumes he got to know the H-S V8 engine there as Blériot LXXI, LXXIII, LXXIV and LXXV were all powered by various versions of it.
Top photo, as you say, as it reappeared in Nigel's hands still on very ordinary 550 × 19 tyres that were rather under-capable with all that power. I seem to remember that the gearbox had somewhat unsuitable ratios, but the careful use of wheelspin helped minimise the problem.

This is it in more recent times with slightly smaller wheel diameter and wider tyres that still don't look too anachronistic.

[woodinsight]

Thanks Allan, that's excellent extra information and I think now puts the correct spelling to rest.
I'll alter the solved title to the correct version.