Delahaye 107 Racer w/ 6.2L Gipsy Major Airplane Engine: Bizarre Start-Up Procedure & Accelerations!

Last year I saw this interesting machine for the first time during the Kilomètre Lancé, held on the runway of Engadin Airport, in Switzerland. It's called Delahaye 107 Racer and having its name I was pretty sure I would have found more info on the internet. Nothing could be more wrong. Honestly I'm still not very knowledgeable about pre-war cars but I've learned you can find anything nowdays. Yet this Darracq V8-style vehicle seemed a total mystery.
Luckily at this year's Kilomètre Lancé I managed to see it again and get some info on this amazing build. And everything comes from the passion for cars of Riccardo Beccarelli, owner and driver of this 107 Racer, from OldtimergarageGR.ch.
From what I understood, the idea behind this project was to replicate the 1904 Premier Vanderbilt Cup Racer built by Carl Fisher, who later founded the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909. This car had a huge 15-liter (923 cu. in.) four-cylinder engine. Riccardo's car is called 'Delahaye 107' because the starting point for his recreation was a chassis of this car from 1924. Then he took him around 15 years to meticulously find pieces and parts from the exact same period of that chassis.
The engine on this Delahaye is a 6.2-litre, four-cylinder, air-cooled de Havilland Gipsy Major airplane engine that was used on biplanes. His initial idea was to run with a modified 6-cylinder inline engine from a Franklin car of those years, powered by methanol, but it didn't last long. The Gipsy Major has around 150 hp, with a rev limiter set at 2,500 rpm. But there's a further particularity: the original Jipsy was a so called 'inverted engine', which has the cylinder heads directly beneath the crankshaft.
The inverted layout was adopted in aviation for a number of benefits such as improved access to cylinder heads and manifolds for the ground crew, having a lower centre of mass in the engine and, for engines mounted in the nose, improved visibility for the pilot and placing the widest part of a multi-bank engine closer to the midline of the fuselage, which is typically its widest point.
This was a further challenge for Riccardo who had to mount and modify it to work like a typical automotive engine. He also had to change the camshaft because the engine was rotating in the wrong direction but he also placed it on the chassis with crankcase facing the front of it. This was done to have quick access to the gears and easily change them to vary the maximum speed.
Enjoy some bizarre start-up procedures, details and some runs down the airstrip of this incredible piece of machinery!
0:00 Close Ups - Pre-Event Day
0:40 Warm Up - Pre-Event Day
3:51 Further Close Ups
4:33 Morning Warm Up
6:41 Heading to the start line
8:19 Accelerations on the runway (2023)
9:40 Accelerations on the runway (2022)
#Delahaye107Racer #Delahaye107 #JipsyMajor
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Subscribe to my 2nd channel here: / @19bozzy92ndchannel
You can also find and follow me on:
- Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/19bozzy92/
- Facebook: / 19bozzy92yt
- Instagram: / ste19bozzy92
Camcorder: Canon Legria GX10 + Zoom H5 & Canon Legria HF G30 + Canon DM-100 Microphone
Event: Kilomètre Lancé 2022 & 2023
Where: Engadin Airport, Switzerland
Link To My Channel: / 19bozzy92
THANKS FOR WATCHING AND SUBSCRIBE!!!

[@Terraceview]

This thing does 120mph, that starting system is actually very smart and safe.

[@joe125ful]

Lol:)

[@sackdanandrews2626]

Flat battery won't stop that man.

[@captaintoyota3171]

​@@sackdanandrews2626no battery on those engines bub. Just magneto ignition

[@kw2519]

@@captaintoyota3171I think he was being sardonic?

[@theeoddments960]

@@kw2519he won’t know what that word means lol

[@toyotahashiriya]

Can't beat the coolness of this guy. Driving that thing with sandals and race suit 😂

[@joe125ful]

Why not its comfy..

[@user-or4hs7xq9u]

​@@joe125fulI rode my motorcycle the other evening with plastic sandals, lovely warm air on the toes. Not my usual riding gear but the motorcycle needed a little run before winter 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@wacio]

Its so the power is not going to knock your socks off 😛.

[@superkas]

The engine's name allows it ✌

[@storck08]

This is the essence of why I fell in love with cars: the noise, smell and vibrations (moving mechanical parts).

[@ikletti5063]

I recently stood beside this behemoth in the pit lane while it was idling. You could feel every single cylinder stroke in your chest. When he revved the thing you could hear the angels sing and the devil call at the same time 😂

[@wacio]

Some of the smell is waste lubrication system - oil burning off on the head. Also important to note safety clothing: helmet and fire suit with obligatory sandals (so acceleration is not going to knock your socks off).

[@manoman0]

Unsuitable for a modern society. And awful.

[@mildly_miffed_man1414]

@@manoman0You’re unsuitable for being alive.

[@Rob-fc9wg]

May I congratulate you on your good taste in everything old, oily and smelly 👍

[@VolksDragon]

1: I never knew I needed Delahaye drag racing until I saw it. 2: Does that driver know he's the coolest man on the planet? :)

[@hallohallo6530]

Sieht irgendwie nach Poser aus. 😉

[@davidobyrne9549]

I used to maintain the 6 cylinder version, 250 hp Gipsy Queen with electric start. Very basic and simple engines which were normally mounted 'inverted' with the cylinders underneath the crankcase. Ours had two Hobson downdraught carbs and twin magnetos. Max rpm is only 2,200 so for automotive use you would need a gearbox and high final drive ratio.

[@mcjibbo6100]

I spoke with the driver in person and could take a "seat" in his frame with engine. The owner is such a funny guy and drives the car at its limits and over that. Insane vehicle.

[@tristankelsey1746]

The exposed valve train is so freaking cool. Some of these antique engines are fascinating

[@seivaDsugnA]

That's why you need goggles.

[@pauls5745]

what a beastly machine! you have to love it for even just the period it came from

[@Kenny6253]

This thing is so steampunk and rad. Love the old school exposed valvetrain, custom piping of all lines and manual start. Friggin cool!

[@RogueWraith909]

That is by far one of the top ten most interesting cars I've seen! Love it!!

[@geoffreypiltz271]

The starting procedure mimics how the engine would have been started in the aeroplane use - by swinging on the propeller. The original Gypsy engine from which the Gypsy Major was developed was not inverted, so turning the Major upside down would not have been so difficult.

[@cagr4249]

I love cars like this; servicing can be done as quickly as refueling.

[@Roddy_Zeh]

I love this. Definitely something that a wild mechanic would've built in the 1920's and 30's. Pure genius yet also ingenuity. And kinda makes me wanna build something using sort of the same formula, but with modern components.

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

The modern equivalent is caging and chopping a Miata like hoonigans did with the shartkart.

[@Roddy_Zeh]

@@Jonathan_Doe_ But with some epic powerplant to go along with it, like a 4-rotor Wankel.

[@ATruckCampbell]

A modern equivalent is VW sand rails.

[@sayeager5559]

Reminds me of the Darracq 200. Those aero engined land speed cars are beauties.

[@phillipsharpe6459]

Helmet, race suit, open toe sandals, love how this guy rolls, 😂🤣👍

[@sniffinclose]

Beautiful car! It has all the feel of a racer from that era... Very nice!

[@user-zq6yz5gf6d]

Aircraft engined cars are their own genre of automobile. there's something so incredible about every one I see.

[@unwrought9757]

In terms of safety it must be a nightmare, but in terms of style it’s unbeatable.

[@ThorstenKreutzenberger]

First man ever to race in sandals.

[@quattro2004]

I can’t believe they let him run that in opened toe sandals 😂

[@tiagobelo4965]

it's probably historically accurate if you look hard enough

[@Berchol]

The car itself is open “everything”, so that’s ok 😂

[@Shepard_AU]

The organisers were probably like: “this car has failed every safety requirement that it’s almost passable.”

[@joe125ful]

Lol not seatbelts...who cares about sandals:)

[@evanmeneilley3228]

Yeah who cares at that point, death wish.

[@higgs923]

What a masterpiece of fitting things together as if they always belonged that way.

[@SonicBoone56]

This is as stripped down you can get. A frame, some wheels, and an engine. It's a giant go-kart. Seeing it next to some famous race cars is so bizarre lol.

[@shadetreemechanicracing22]

There is nothing safe about that car. I love it.

[@musicauthority674]

This car has some interesting features, such as the clutch being at the front of the engine. being as that is where the prop would be on an aircraft engine. and the drilled frame rails, and that it is extremely cold blooded. and that it only has one headlight as the song says. there are British race car drivers that drive vehicles like this. in the Willwood revival series vintage car races. and they don't have any seatbelts or any other safety equipment. and they really fly around the road course. these driver's have some giant balls for sure. it's some of the best racing I have had the pleasure of watching hands down.

[@DjSpaceman]

The starting mechanism looks like an axe... A battle axe... Awesome!

[@trebla_ttag9997]

Early twentieth century kids sure had interesting Berg karts 🤭

[@totalyep]

Dude opens beer bottles with his ball sac.

[@leo-.-258]

He has saved some money. Panels, extra seat, batery, belts, why you need those😂

[@90FF1]

Absolutely love it! I don't know who would be most proud. Rube Goldberg or Mad Max. What a wonderful example of 'ingenuity in action!' Thank you.

[@johngibson3837]

Got to love the freedom ov driving in sandels and not a sock insight, nice vehicle

[@AhmadSuparjo-ey2ng]

Air cooled??? its so over heating

[@mildly_miffed_man1414]

@@AhmadSuparjo-ey2ngThere have been air cooled engines since they were first invented. I think it’s fine.

[@shanti138]

fantastic build

[@jorgefernandez-mv8hu]

That is a very interesting car this gentleman made.

[@still_guns]

I hear Tiger Moths flying overhead regularly. It's weird hearing that engine with gears.

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

Great "safety" sandals, shorts gloves, eye-protection.

[@stringpicker5468]

Very well respected engine. Usually inverted and not sure why the valve covers are missing. I am a bit surprised it stays cool in a car though. Saw one fly over in a Tiger Moth a couple of weeks back.

[@rohanhill70]

valve covers probably missing for weight reductions and coolness aspect

[@arthurn9237]

BECAUSE IT'S PRIMITIVE TECHNOLOGY AND THEY DIDN'T SEE THE NEED IN THEM THESE WERE NOT THE ONLY MOTORS THAT HAD EXPOSED VALVE TRAIN'S

[@davidjulian8536]

(Ex Tiger Moth owner) There was no pressure oil supply to the valve gear in the original engine, the valve covers were filled to a set level with oil and the rockers splashed it around the valve gear. Each time the engine oil was changed, you also removed each of the 4 covers and replaced that oil too. It wouldn't work with the engine "right side up", so he has somehow organised an oil feed system to the valve gear. I'm guessing its total loss as there was never a return system.

[@kmsav8]

They are normally inverted, there is a lot of pipework to get oil to the valve gear

[@chrishenniker5944]

Is this event open to the public? If so, can anyone enter ? I think a few hot rodders, bikers and boy racers would like to chance their arms.

[@odl21]

Love the starter!

[@westcoast3595]

Clever starting system. Sounds like it needs adjustable/variable ignition timing. Once it gets going it seems fine tho

[@user-jy8mo5fi5q]

Having watched the start up procedure I thought, wait a minute there's no cooling system, then realised it was an air cooled aircraft engine. Would love to see it with bodywork

[@coreyellisart6877]

What a wonderful build yet I am still in shock that grown men where are those type of sandals

[@watsisbuttndo829]

What a cobbled together, dangerous liability..............i love it!.

[@originalforgery]

Genius - glorious - outstanding.....

[@mattmatty4670]

Thats cool. Thanks mate

[@TimOldBag]

Wonderful!

[@bikerian5346]

Got to love the desert wellies.

[@gafrers]

Fantastic

[@speedmachine69]

That's thing is bonkers...... I love it......

[@SamuelCroin]

Che oggetto meccanico meraviglioso.

[@samodelkinify]

Красота. Дивився на одному диханні, вроді то я сам, за кермом того авто. Обожнюю і конструюю.

[@patrickbodine1300]

Awesome machine.

[@markdoyle9642]

RESPECT! Nothing Light Duty about that!

[@dasgehtsienichtsan]

Cool car 👍🏻

[@morris-minor55]

That man knows his engine 😀

[@sum12see]

That thing is cool as hell!!!!. A death trap but cool....

[@crustydribblins]

That is one FAST popcorn machine!

[@fabricerichomme9497]

Elle est superbe le bruit la mécanique elle est extra

[@anthonygregory3022]

Excellent

[@lafaietense]

Que delícia ouvir essa máquina. Parabéns pelo trabalho.

[@CupsofCopus]

Fantastic video Bozzy! The old Delahaye's are nothing short of being bat-shit nuts!! 😂😂 Litrally a chassis with an engine that sounds like it's from an old aircraft! Grazie as ever Bozzy!

[@RogueWraith909]

It IS from an old aircraft... the Gypsy Moth is an old bi-plane.

[@joe125ful]

Engine,ancient chasi and ancient wheelsteer...what more you need?:)

[@another_culprit]

Love this car

[@chunder27]

Love the fact it's on a pair if SU's!

[@sos15_yt]

Skinner Union? 😉

[@geoffreypiltz271]

The SU company was founded in 1910, so the carb's are definitely period.

[@geoffreypiltz271]

@@sos15_yt Yes

[@thephilpott2194]

Yes, sausage skinners union (believe it or not..)@@sos15_yt

[@tyuy100]

Is this a closed event? Tried to find information but can't find anything on how to go spectate the event whenever it happens again

[@cedhome7945]

Love it and I want it 👍

[@tggr5359]

that was so cool

[@DonCatherman]

Pretty cool 😎👍😎

[@dragonbutt]

This is amazing. The only thing i'd do different is do a drip lubricator over the chain on the front since theres no case covering it.

[@ronitsingh85]

love the gipsy engine!

[@madsandyalmond1838]

Is the chassis and transmission GN? A beautiful Special. Love the handle crank.

[@nomadraidrrs.1075]

Для кого это колымага для понимающих людей это шедевр

[@rhcssilva1737]

Obrigado.

[@carlyleporter5388]

Was the thing depicted in toto part of a production or racing prototype automobile at some point in time?

[@conrad7668]

I want it as a daily driver! I got time, patience, space and knowledge! May be, the initial pirce could be a show stopper ... :-(

[@koomky]

Wow thé seats !😮

[@earlwheelock7844]

Did that engine come with those SU carbs??? ( or were they an add on??)

[@user-or4hs7xq9u]

Looks proper steam punk

[@ldnwholesale8552]

I do like his safety sandals. Car is interesting, would love to see it at say Goodwood

[@v8pilot]

Years ago I had an Austin A35 I had bought for £25. Its choke was broken so I had to pour petrol into the carb. WIth a couple of spoonfuls of petrol it would start at the first pull of the starter.

[@benoitnadeau5845]

Ok, but does it have power steering, rear camera and Apple Play?

[@sablatnic8030]

Of course not, who'd buy a car with that?

[@jillsmcfarland2001]

Art

[@chrisburnsed6349]

If the red baron had a car that’s exactly what I’d imagine it being. Lol. Secondly if that engine was in a plane the way it runs no chance in hell I’d get in it . 😳

[@potrzebieneuman4702]

I think those engines were built to run at basically a fixed throttle setting when in an aircraft, with this one he's on and off the throttle when changing gears, if you listen when it's up and at the correct throttle setting with no changes it sound reasonably clean.

[@chrisburnsed6349]

@@potrzebieneuman4702 I’ve built several of those engines. Trust me that one runs like shit. Creative project though. I’ll give him that

[@mac711]

All made possible by the genius engineers who made sandals to protect feet

[@m1sst4k37]

wow, they really put motorcycle kickstarter with half-sprocket on a car

[@paulhammersley4562]

sound's like everything is out of adjustment, mixture and ignition timing for a start,

[@alexeijolkin7851]

👍 Correct! Same observation here. But no one wants to read a comment like this, even fewer who understand what you mean.

[@thephilpott2194]

It does sound sick, doesn't it. Whatever it is, if it's not put right it's going to go bang quite soon, or at least shake some fixings loose. Beautiful piece of design otherwise.

[@NBSV1]

Unfortunately a lot of people think that’s just how old stuff is supposed to run.

[@tadmartin3049]

If you like these kind of vehicles (open and mechanical without a lot of electronic mystery boxes) and haven't yet been to see doodlebug pulls, then go. You will love the experience.

[@wernerschulte6245]

Even the four cylindertype does run more smoothly if well maintenanced. The caburetor back flashes seem to come from worn out inlet valves of the third or fourth cylinder.

[@user-fr7hh2wn7k]

Unique to one-off....

[@HMoyn215]

This is where Steampunk started

[@PiotrTester]

insane

[@maremare9515]

Mad Max . . .

[@geraldswan2476]

Bloody insane Max 😂.

[@sos15_yt]

Max Mad 😅

[@Badpvppaladin]

Now this is quite fucking cool as hell

[@ianski65]

I thought I would have a unique comment but so does everyone else. That car is a bit of everything a guy loves, hot rod, rat rod, Mad Max, whacky races. Its the whole darn shooting match. What a guy, tinkering away in his shed while the rest of us dream of doing it. Awesome. Thanks for making me smile for an entire video, Ill never get to sleep now…🫡

[@riccardobeccarelli3669]

Hello ianski65, i was verry exited, when i was reading your letter. I just like to say thank you. Where are you from? Happy new Year. Riccardo from Switzerland

[@user-xu7qi8vs6x]

In all sense of the word That thing should FLY

[@Brustkle]

The most steam punk thing I ever saw on youtube yet.

[@zxvadcsfbh]

He is racing in sandals. The fucking madman.

[@preppermann]

So ein Auto ist für mich 10x interessanter als ein Porsche oder Ferrari

[@skippmclovan1135]

This is an 'L' head engine. Very interesting. Most Gypsy Major aero engines employed dual enclosed gear OHV heads. Probably no difference in power at 2550rpm but lower cylinder head temps possibly with dual OHV??

[@davidepperson2376]

What are those gears at the front?

[@thewebheadgt]

Fuck!n Beautiful !!!

[@terryatpi]

Right at home on the airstrip.

[@_________C.A444]

Lunar Roving Vehicle 😮

[@danielitaliano4531]

Alta nave.