Topic: Solved - MJW #595 - Delta Coupe 1953

[woodinsight]

Looks familiar?
Yes it is based on that car but it is badged as something else.
Who knows the story behind this?

[qwaszx]

Looks like a Maico Champion 400 1952 but is a...

[woodinsight]

Looks like a Maico Champion 400 1952 but is a...

Yes it is but there is quite a story behind this........

[olavr]

The car originally developed by ZF of Friedrichshafen and was named Champion 400. and started in 1948
Various manufacturers tried to sell the car, and in 1955 MAICO took over production and the car was named Maico MC 400

[woodinsight]

The car originally developed by ZF of Friedrichshafen and was named Champion 400. and started in 1948
Various manufacturers tried to sell the car, and in 1955 MAICO took over production and the car was named Maico MC 400

Yes that's correct but this is a Champion 400 that was acquired and rebadged as a xxxxx. One of the attempts by other manufacturers/people to sell the car as you stated. This was undoubtedly the most bizzare attempts.
So for one point what was this car re-badged as?

[qwaszx]

Rebadging a simple car into something posh –think Aston Martin Cygnet.
My guess would be Maybach Two Stroke

[woodinsight]

Rebadging a simple car into something posh –think Aston Martin Cygnet.
My guess would be Maybach Two Stroke

Interesting thought but not that.
The name is 5 letters long.

[Facel]

Alcre from Argentina?

[olavr]

The Alcre was based on a Maico 500

http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?topic=6149.0

But this one was a 400, before Maico entered the scene?

[olavr]

I've found a link to a Champion Licence, The austrian factory Perl, built about 100 cars in 1951 - 54, but of the 250! Not quite an answer?

[woodinsight]

Alcre from Argentina?

Not Alcre I'm afraid

[woodinsight]

I've found a link to a Champion Licence, The austrian factory Perl, built about 100 cars in 1951 - 54, but of the 250! Not quite an answer?

Not that either....
It's from Europe but not Austria

[woodinsight]

I wonder if an Expert knows?

[mtbo]

delta?

[woodinsight]

delta?

Yes, it's a Delta!
Locked for you to come up with a few more details.......

[mtbo]

This is copy paste from one web site:

Otto von Smekel and Eva Pokorova of the Delta Research Motor Company tried to create a British "people's car" by obtaining the rights to import Champion cars at Potton Manor, a stately home in rural Bedfordshire. Their first car arrived at Potton Manor in Nov. 1953, but shortly afterwards Champion Cars was declared bankrupt. The Champion designs were then acquired by Maico, who promptly tore up Delta Research's import license. In 1983, following the deaths of Smekel and Pokorova - who had led the lives of recluses since the 1955 collapse of Delta Research, Potton Manor was opened up for the first time in 30 years, and five cars were discovered garaged in the ballroom!

[woodinsight]

This is copy paste from one web site:

Otto von Smekel and Eva Pokorova of the Delta Research Motor Company tried to create a British "people's car" by obtaining the rights to import Champion cars at Potton Manor, a stately home in rural Bedfordshire. Their first car arrived at Potton Manor in Nov. 1953, but shortly afterwards Champion Cars was declared bankrupt. The Champion designs were then acquired by Maico, who promptly tore up Delta Research's import license. In 1983, following the deaths of Smekel and Pokorova - who had led the lives of recluses since the 1955 collapse of Delta Research, Potton Manor was opened up for the first time in 30 years, and five cars were discovered garaged in the ballroom!

That's the story in a nutshell!
Well done and another point for you.

[pguillem]

Some photos :

- In the ballroom could be seen the bodyshell of the proposed Champion/Delta sports car while in the foreground the nose of the single seater racing car can just be seen

- Potton Manor in 1979 following the deaths of Eva Pokorova and Otto Smekal

[woodinsight]

Thanks for those extra photos pguillem.
One day I'll expand this incredible story.......

[pguillem]

Thanks for those extra photos pguillem.
One day I'll expand this incredible story.......

The complete story "The Cars of Potton Manor" appeared in the May, 1985 issue of Thoroughbred and Classic Cars, written by Michael Ware.  The photographs were found in a message written by Barrett (our Barrett ?) at the Moto-Scat Forum.  Some other photos can be found there.

[woodinsight]

Thanks for those extra photos pguillem.
One day I'll expand this incredible story.......

The complete story "The Cars of Potton Manor" appeared in the May, 1985 issue of Thoroughbred and Classic Cars, written by Michael Ware.  The photographs were found in a message written by Barrett (our Barrett ?) at the Moto-Scat Forum.  Some other photos can be found there.

Thanks, I should have that issue somewhere..
Michael Ware also wrote about the Delta story in his book "Automobiles Lost & Found"

[Carnut]

Weren't some of these cars made (or badged as anyway) by Heinkel too?
Seems everyone and his dog had a go at making or selling them!

[barrett]

Damn, I was waiting for this one to move up..... 

[Carnut]

And this seems to be what it looked like before someone had the idea to fit VW Beetle headlights:

[Wendax]

I rather think the original headlights were just too low for homologation in France.