1953 DMS (Netherlands) - AllCarIndex

The D.M.S. (De Mooy Special) is a remarkable, custom-built sports car from 1953, named after its creator, the chief mechanic of the Wassenaar Ford garage, De Mooy. De Mooy embarked on this ambitious project to build his own sports car from scratch, utilizing an inventive combination of parts from various vehicles and his own mechanical ingenuity.

At the heart of the D.M.S. is a unique powertrain. De Mooy initially chose a two-cylinder boxer engine from a Viderior bicycle, but realizing that this engine lacked sufficient power, he crafted his own cylinders with a larger bore. These were paired with cylinder heads from a BMW motorcycle, significantly enhancing performance. To complement this engine, De Mooy created his own overdrive landwheel drive, which was paired with a gearbox sourced from an Opel. The shifting mechanism was custom-built by De Mooy as well, using a lever to control shift rods housed within a door box of his own design.

The car’s underpinnings were equally innovative. De Mooy designed and built a tubular chassis, onto which he mounted a differential from a pre-war BMW. The rear axle was designed following the De Dion principle, with drive shafts sourced from a Citroën, enhancing the vehicle's handling. Renault 4 wheels were fitted, while Opel-sourced brakes were modified to feature a hydraulic system, replacing the outdated mechanical system for improved performance.

When the mechanical aspects of the car were fully functional, De Mooy turned his attention to the bodywork. He shaped a sleek, streamlined exterior by hammering crank plates around a frame, creating smooth, curving lines reminiscent of a Porsche.

However, the D.M.S. was never fully completed. A fire broke out in the garage where it was stored, destroying much of the interior, including the hinges, meters, rubbers, and other crucial finishing components. Despite this setback, the half-finished car survived and was later relocated. Now in his retirement, De Mooy has taken on the challenge of restoring and finishing his historic, albeit little-known, creation, piece by piece. The D.M.S. stands as a testament to his resourcefulness, craftsmanship, and dedication to automotive engineering.