The GSM Delta "Sebring" Coupè

Most members will know that a factory to build Darts was established in the UK during the early 60's.  The story of how it eventually materialised is also quite interesting.  A short version follows.

The original idea required Willie Meissner to go to London, research the possibilities and report back to SA.  Well, just before Willie left for London, he became engaged to be married to Lorrainne Wolfaardt, a lass that he had been dating for a while.  Willie's brief was to find finance, premises and staff so as to set up a manufacturing plant.  It did not take Willie long to accomplish all that, and once done was on his way back to SA to get married.  That left Bob with the responsibility to go to London and just get the ball rolling.

When Bob arrived in London, with a Dart body/chassis and a mould as personal luggage, the financier was in jail, and he basically had to start all over again.  Being a very determined sort of chap, Bob soon found someone called Clive Scott who was prepared to listen to his story.

Well, he said, "if everything you say is true, there is a race at Brands Hatch in ten days time, if you win it, I will put up the finance!"

In Windsor Garage, Westmalling in Kent, Bob jumped into his overalls, and ten days later, won the race, on a circuit he had never seen before, and with very little practice set up a lap record!

Scott stuck to his word, and they started building cars.  They were not allowed to be called GSM Dart, although identical, there was a bicycle registered as a Dart, so GSM Delta was decided upon.  It seems that about seventy six were built, some even left hand drive for export to Canada.

Shortly before that factory closed however, someone, (Bob was already back in SA), decided to build a Coupè version to race at Sebring.

Three were built, but only one car was completed and certainly extensively and successfully raced.  It was powered by a Ford Formula Jnr 998cc motor, with a BMC back axle (lots of different ratios available), close ratio box and front suspension that seems to be a mix between Dart and Flamingo-type upper control arms.  At some stage it also had a 1300cc motor.  Fact is it is described as a Historic Sports Racing Car, with papers.  (I am not sure what that means).

It was rebuilt in the early eighties, and is described as easy to race, not too expensive and holds lap records on various circuits in Historic racing!  What a feather in the GSM cap!

Incidentally, it was advertised recently at 39500 Euros.  That is very close to R316 000    WOW!

Piet van Niekerk

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