Robert Benoist’s fabulous 1927 British Grand Prix-winning Delage 15-S8 has been left to Brooklands Museum by the late Alan Burnard.
The supercharged straight-eight 1500cc Delage is one of only four built for the 1926/1927 season. The team went on to win the World Constructors’ Championship and this example – Car No 2 – was driven by war hero Robert Benoist when he won the British Grand Prix at Brooklands (above).
In 1929 it was bought by Sir Malcolm Campbell. He subsequently passed it on to WB ‘Bummer’ Scott, who achieved a Class F 24 Hour World Record at Montlhéry and a Class F 200 Miles World Record at Brooklands.
Burnard acquired the car in 1964 and began a lengthy rebuild that included swapping its later ERA engine for a reconstructed and correct Delage unit.
Brooklands Museum director Allan Winn said: “This is an immensely important car for us to have at Brooklands, and we are overwhelmed by the generosity of Alan Burnard in leaving this wonderful machine to us. We are truly honoured to have been selected to fulfil Alan’s wish that the car be kept forever in the public domain, where it can be seen and heard running.”
Pictures: Jason Dodd Photography
