If you have a copy of Maximum Mini 3 you may have read about a most unusual Australian Mini based car named Delilah (page 35). Despite its long nose, this car used the Mini engine behind its seats to drive the rear wheels, but then its creator used it as a camper also! That creator was Ian Sims of Ferntree Gully and I am sad to say that Ian has passed away earlier this week. The news came from Cam Cresswell who owns Delilah since 2007 and still loves the car very much.
Cam wrote: "Received some sad news this afternoon that Ian Sims, the designer and builder of my car 'Delilah' has today sadly passed away. Ian is known world-wide for his growth and innovation in the world of manufacturing and developing recumbent bicycles and trikes, and has certainly put Australia on the map. Ian was so full of knowledge and design, he was always ahead of the pack, and always had time for his customers and anyone that showed interest in his creations."
"I think myself very lucky that I have this vehicle, some of the history, and of course had the chance to speak with Ian about it, and it’s developments over the years. Delilah is a scratch built vehicle that was built from start to finish, and then registered by Ian. It makes use of a few different vehicles parts, however nearly everything has been researched, designed and this vehicle was Ian’s mode of transport throughout Melbourne for many years. If anyone is interested head over to Ian’s company page, and check out his cycles here."
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Cam wrote: "Received some sad news this afternoon that Ian Sims, the designer and builder of my car 'Delilah' has today sadly passed away. Ian is known world-wide for his growth and innovation in the world of manufacturing and developing recumbent bicycles and trikes, and has certainly put Australia on the map. Ian was so full of knowledge and design, he was always ahead of the pack, and always had time for his customers and anyone that showed interest in his creations."
"I think myself very lucky that I have this vehicle, some of the history, and of course had the chance to speak with Ian about it, and it’s developments over the years. Delilah is a scratch built vehicle that was built from start to finish, and then registered by Ian. It makes use of a few different vehicles parts, however nearly everything has been researched, designed and this vehicle was Ian’s mode of transport throughout Melbourne for many years. If anyone is interested head over to Ian’s company page, and check out his cycles here."
Ian Sims reunited with his car, named Delilah and used by him for many years
Picture via Cam Cresswell
Below Delilah's unusually shaped body lies a spaceframe chassis of Ian's own design
Picture via Cam Cresswell
Seen here under development in November 1969. Mini engine originally was an 1100
Picture via Cam Cresswell
Builder Ian Sims is seen here behind the wheel in 1970. Ian used the car 'as a camper'
Picture via Cam Cresswell
Delilah with its original plywood body after it had just been finished in 1970
Picture via Cam Cresswell
A full body-off restoration was started several years before Cam bought the car in 2007
Picture via Cam Cresswell
A new body in plywood was then also made, slightly modified over the original body
Picture via Cam Cresswell
Delilah as it is today, now in the hands of current owner Cam Cresswell who is still full of it
Picture via Cam Cresswell