What Became Of This Car ?

The car shown in the accompanying photographs is an 1899 or 1900 single cylinder (110mm x 140mm) Delahaye which was purchased when new by Mr William Gordon Dixon. Mr Dixon was a banker, whose 1901 address was "Belmore", Coogee. Sometime after this date he moved to "The Hermitage", Rose Bay. In 1929 his address was "Broadhaven", Munulla Rd, Edgecliff. In 1904 he purchased a powerful 20hp four-cylinder Talbot, and he was obviously satisfied with this make as he purchased several more. In 1914 he owned a 4.5 litre 25/50hp Talbot.

Sydney motor dealers Innes & Mills bought the Delahaye, selling it on in 1905 to a refrigeration engineer named G.C. Budge. Mr Budge bought a Humber in about 1906, however he chose not to dispose of the Delahaye. An article published in the March 1929 issue of "The Motor In Australia" states, "The humble Delahaye chassis occupies an important place at Mr Budge's factory. To dump odds and ends upon it is taboo. It must be respected, for it holds a place of honor."

When in 1929 Mr Dixon (The car's first owner), read that the old Delahaye was still in existence he approached Mr Budge, and suggested that it should be exhibited in a museum at the Royal Automobile Club. Mr Budge answered Mr Dixon in a letter dated 15th September, 1930 stating: "It will give me very great pleasure to fall in line with your suggestion regarding the use of the old chassis as an exhibit in the Royal Automobile Club Museum. I shall get in touch with, the Secretary of the R.A.C.A. and then perhaps a little later on you and I will both be able to make our annual pilgrimage to view the relic".

The R.A.C.A. were apparently receptive to the idea, for in a letter to Mr Budge dated 24th September 1930, that organisation's Secretary stated "Again, I have been directed to extend to you the thanks of this Committee for your valuable gift of an old "De-Lahaye" (sic) Car. The Committee concerned will be pleased to accept your gift, provided we can secure space to accommodate the vehicle."

Our own member and proud owner of a 1912 Delahaye, Arthur Garthon, has approached the R.A.C.A. in order to ascertain what became of the Delahaye in question, however they have been unable to state what became of it, if in fact it ever actually passed into their possession. It would seem strange that such an archaic vehicle which was clearly cherished by at least two men as recently as 1930 could have disappeared so completely. Mr Budge passed away in 1955.

James Budge-Refrigeration Machinery Specialists were located at McEvoy, Lawrence, and, Harley Streets, Alexandria. They were later taken over by the Peters Ice Cream Company.