The Delaney Delta was a distinctive sports car built in the 1950s by Eric Delaney, owner of the Delaney-Gallay radiator firm. Designed and constructed in the spare time of Delaney and his team, the Delta showcased an impressive blend of innovation and eccentricity. The car’s body, along with a matching aluminum hardtop, was handcrafted by Delaney’s staff at the DG firm. Built on a ladder frame chassis designed by John Griffiths, the Delta combined components from various manufacturers: Citroën coil and wishbone front suspension, rack and pinion steering, and a Ford transverse leaf spring with a solid rear axle.

The Delta was powered by the widely-used 1172cc Ford sidevalve engine, which Delaney supercharged to enhance performance. To lower the center of gravity, fuel was stored in three small, under-floor petrol tanks connected in series. The car's body was highly unconventional, with complex curves, rounded suspension pods, and striking aeroform front wheel spats. Though the overall shape appeared sleek from certain angles, it could seem oddly proportioned or even bizarre from others, reflecting the challenges of custom automobile design.

One of the Delta’s notable features was its practical design for maintenance: both the front and rear body sections could pivot upwards to reveal the car’s mechanical components. While the car had doors, they were secured with thumb screws and most drivers found it easier to step over the side than open them. The removable hardtop, though functional, appeared somewhat out of proportion with the rest of the body.

Underneath, the Delaney Delta had a sophisticated suspension system featuring double A-arms with coil springs and tube shocks at the front, along with a transverse leaf spring and lever shocks at the rear. It also used Ford hydraulic drum brakes and precise Citroën rack-and-pinion steering. Delaney's attention to detail extended to its fuel system, with three interconnected fuel tanks allowing for potential use of different fuel mixes.

The engine was extensively modified beyond its supercharger. Delaney balanced the crankshaft, polished the rods, and installed competition-grade valve springs and a race camshaft. The result was a high-performance, supercharged engine that delivered abundant torque. Despite the advanced engine modifications, Delaney chose to forgo a tachometer, perhaps because the little Ford engine could rev freely without significant risk of damage.

Eric Delaney primarily raced the Delta with the London Motor Club in the mid-1950s. After his racing career, the car was sold in 1970 and resurfaced in the 1980s when it was sold to a buyer in the United States. It was later restored and returned to the UK by Frank Barnard, who swapped it for an old Formula Ford car. The Delta eventually made its vintage racing debut at the Hunnewell Hill Climb.

The Delaney Delta, with its unconventional design and spirited performance, embodied the creative eccentricity of its builder. Eric Delaney’s creation remains a testament to the ingenuity and individuality that characterized mid-century British automotive enthusiasts.