Terence delaney

Pioneering motor magnate and Paris-Madrid survivor, who put the heat into affordable cars

WORDS GILES CHAPMAN

IN HIS LATER entrepreneurial life among the bustle of Britain’s unfolding motor industry, nothing much held back Luke Terence Delaney – Terence to acquaintances, Terry to friends. One thing he couldn’t avoid, though, were the crowds thronging the epic 1903 Paris-Madrid road race. Three spectators and five drivers were killed, dozens injured, in a rampant demolition derby. It gave such events so appalling a reputation that no more were held until Italy’s first Targa Florio in 1927. The cars – some hitting 80mph as cattle sauntered across their paths – caused such notoriety that the French Government stopped the race at Bordeaux. Terence typified the 224 entrants, confronting danger as he powered along in his De Dietrich. Near towns and villages, spectators stood in the middle of the road to watch…

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Octane (Digital) - 1 Issue, October 1, 2015

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