Old Speed Equipment

[oldskydog]

I did it again, For my birthday I drove over to Apple Valley, Ca. and bought myself a birthday present....56 Delray 2 door sedan, originally black with black and white Delray interior but it's kinda hard to tell. Not as rusty as most with no rust quarter panels.
A real patina old racer, apparently that has been sitting since 1968 or 69 according to whats left of the sticker on the plate. I comes equipped with a 68 Chevelle 327, 4 speed, traction bars, headers, 2 chrome and 2 Keystone wheels and 57-61 Corvette dual quads.....kinda crusty and all locked up but I have several engines to choose from. I always wanted a 56 Delray with the factory 2x4's 240hp engine so I will just make my own unless I use a 409 instead.
Anyway, my question is about the old MSD ignition and the LECTRA-SCOPE mounted on the steering column. What are the individual resistor looking things mounted by the distributor? I assume the LECTRA-SCOPE simply indicates that each cylinder is firing or not. Anybody have any history on these?

 

[MRHP]

I believe they are capacitors.

 

[La Hot Rods]

They look like those big trash can condensers.

 

[alaska gasser]

Congrats on finding a great birthday present. I recently missed out on a gutted steel ‘33 Willy’s ex race car that had been sitting forever. Too bad they let the’56 seize up.

 

[63 dream'n]

Cool Cecil…….!!!!

 

[Dick MacKenzie]

Wow Cecil! Great find!

 

[NCPOP]

Nice find and I bet that car has some stories to tell!

 

[1958 delivery]

I can see more disc brakes in your future

 

[1958 delivery]

Carbs look real

 

[Murphdog]

No offense, but can you OLD SCHOOL!!! Another one saved.
That "Lectra Scope" pre dates me & I'm 64+,
Jeff

 

[pvs409]

I agree carbs look to be correct 2-4 carbs, like the ones on my 57 with 270 HP solid lifter motor.
I have pair of those ribbed valve covers from the 60’s in mint condition.
I had a 55 delray - 55 &56 delrays are cool.

 

[1958 delivery]

I did it again, For my birthday I drove over to Apple Valley, Ca. and bought myself a birthday present....56 Delray 2 door sedan, originally black with black and white Delray interior but it's kinda hard to tell. Not as rusty as most with no rust quarter panels.
A real patina old racer, apparently that has been sitting since 1968 or 69 according to whats left of the sticker on the plate. I comes equipped with a 68 Chevelle 327, 4 speed, traction bars, headers, 2 chrome and 2 Keystone wheels and 57-61 Corvette dual quads.....kinda crusty and all locked up but I have several engines to choose from. I always wanted a 56 Delray with the factory 2x4's 240hp engine so I will just make my own unless I use a 409 instead.
Anyway, my question is about the old MSD ignition and the ELECTRA-SCOPE mounted on the steering column. What are the individual resistor looking things mounted by the distributor? I assume the ELECTRA-SCOPE simply indicates that each cylinder is firing or not. Anybody have any history on these?





View attachment 110666View attachment 110667View attachment 110668View attachment 110669View attachment 110670View attachment 110671

Do you have both black plates?

 

[oldskydog]

Do you have both black plates?

Yes, I even tracked down the guy who owned it back then from an old registration and a student parking pass for L. A. Harbor College.

 

[oldskydog]

I agree carbs look to be correct 2-4 carbs, like the ones on my 57 with 270 HP solid lifter motor.
I have pair of those ribbed valve covers from the 60’s in mint condition.
I had a 55 delray - 55 &56 delrays are cool.

Yep, confirmed to be original 270 hp carbs and intake. They will need a lot of work as the throttle arms and butterflies are frozen.

 

[oldskydog]

I can see more disc brakes in your future

Probably, but I need to get the Torque Thrust D's and new tires first.

 

[oldskydog]

A few more pics. It has a 66 or 67 Muncie with Hurst shifter but the muncie has a broken ear. Haven't yet checked for a scatter shield.

 

[nomad59NZ]

Super Cool, Well done.

Gav

 

[1958 delivery]

A few more pics. It has a 66 or 67 Muncie with Hurst shifter but the muncie has a broken ear. Haven't yet checked for a scatter shield.View attachment 110675View attachment 110676View attachment 110677View attachment 110678View attachment 110679

Original cast iron side mounted bellhousing, almost a scatter shield

Those valve covers look like steel ribbed ones, never remember those

 

[1958 delivery]

What happened to the 55 you were working on?

 

[oldskydog]

What happened to the 55 you were working on?

Still working on it but its hard to accomplish much outside in the heat. It's running and would be driving if I get the Killmat and steering column in. Rigged exhaust by using 57 downpipes. They have a different bend since they use the center dump manifolds....just barely clears the steering link with the engine 3/4 " fwd.