Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 101 ¤
1925 Delta Model 8A Prototype Touring Engine no. 8A-1-XP-2
Sold for US$14,560 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 101¤
From the Minden Automotive Museum
1925 Delta Model 8A Prototype Touring
1925 Delta Model 8A Prototype Touring
1925 Delta Model 8A Prototype Touring
Engine no. 8A-1-XP-2
Engine no. 8A-1-XP-2
331.3ci Continental L-Head Six-Cylinder
Carter BB-1 Carburetor
70bhp
Three-Speed Sliding Gear Manual Transmission
Live Axles with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
Rear Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes
* Designed by Eric Delling, designer of the Mercer 22-70
* Backed by Andrew Moulton, a prolific backer of early performance cars
* Acquired from Harrah's then partially restored in 1984
* A reasonable and straightforward completion project
* The only one built
THE DELTA
In 1923 Eric Delling and Andrew Moulton joined together to build the Delta. Delling was a broadly experienced engineer who in 1914 replaced Finley Robertson Porter at Mercer and designed the L-head four-cylinder 70hp Mercer 22-70 that succeeded Porter's famed Mercer Model 35 T-head. In a highly unusual engineering switch Delling left Mercer in 1916 and turned his attention to steam, joining Stanley.
Delling next turned up in 1923 in partnership with Moulton who with Sidney Breese and Charles Lawrence had in 1905 created the one-and-done B.L.M., a 300 cubic inch 85hp race car the young men priced at $12,000, over $400,000 in 2026 dollars. Breese and Lawrence seem to have been the design force behind the B.L.M. Moulton, it appears, brought the money and that seems to have been the case with the Delta.
Only a single prototype example was built. Delling's reputation brought Continental to provide an experimental L-head six-cylinder engine believed to be 331 cubic inches with a reported 70 brake horsepower. The chassis and touring car body are contemporary and handsome. Its introduction in 1925 coincided with financial recovery after the 1921 recession but the Delta failed to make an impression and only the prototype was ever completed. Delling went back to steam and designed the Delling Motors steam car with an innovative three-cylinder double-acting engine.
THE CAR OFFERED
This unique Delta 8A prototype was acquired by the Harrah's Collection some years ago from E.L. McElroy in "partially restored" condition but with original components including the body, engine and running gear. The Harrah's intake sheet has been copied several times before and the original acquisition date is cut off on the copy. It is dated as 1925 based on the date of manufacture on its Continental engine data plate.
It was acquired by the Minden Automotive Museum from Harrah's in 1981 and sent to the museum's usual restorer for extensive work that eventually amounted to $13,000 being spent through 1984.
It is equipped with drum headlights, a rear-mounted spare with attached "Stop" light. The experimental Continental engine has a Carter BB-1 updraft carburetor and the engine number serves as the identification number for the title.
The engine is installed but not wired or plumbed. Components of the engine, dashboard switches are missing. The paint, upholstery and top, however, are uniformly good reflecting the work done for the Minden Automobile Museum.
This is a rational and realistic project that will result in bringing back to life a one-and-only example and a car designed by the engineer who created the side valve Mercer 22-70.
Footnotes
Titled under its engine number.
Additional information
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