Dellow Automotive started manufacturing four-wheel drive conversions in 1964 when everyone had a Landrover. In those days, the only engine that was available was the "old Holden" grey motor of 138 cubic inches and it did give the UK built 4 x 4 quite some boost. As time progressed then it became easier to purchase a much later Holden six-cylinder motor of 186 cubic inches commonly known to all automotive enthusiasts as a "Red Motor".
At that time Thies Brothers were just getting into swing, bringing Toyotas into Australia. It was not long until owners of these off-roaders wanted some power. Small block Chevy V8s were only being used in speedboats and hot rods at the time, but now a new use had been found for them.

Dellow Automotive really progressed from this point on manufacturing kits to fit Chevy, Ford and Holden V8s brought a new range of four-wheel drives to Australia as everyone who manufactured vehicles outside of here wanted to get into this huge market.
The people at Dellow Automotive were flooded with phone calls about what could be done to their Nissan Patrol, Jeep, International Scout or even Range Rover.

Progress was the order of the day at Dellow Automotive, as their pattern makers, machinists and foundry people were kept busy with new conversions for both engines and transmission swaps.

The late Eighties saw the biggest revolution change in Australian automotive history as one in every five families had a recreational vehicle of some form or another.
Dellow Automotive had to build a new 20,000 square foot complex at Revesby in Sydney to house their entire manufacturing operation as conversion kits were being made and sold at a rate of one kit every hour mainly because Australia was second only to the USA for off-road vehicle ownership.

When the fuel crisis hit in the Eighties there was a change from V8s back to six-cylinders. At that time we had an abundance of Ford Falcon 250s and Hemi Chrysler 245 and 265 engines to choose from.
When interviewed, the owners of the company, Jeff and Gail Dellow, both said they could not believe how many people fitted six-cylinders to their 4 x4s. Even to this day older vehicles like Toyota, Landcruiser, G60, MQ and GQ Nissan Patrols are running big sixes.

Toyota had introduced their HiLux Range, which really suited the young 4 x 4 owner, but the power was dreadful. Again, Dellow Automotive moved very quickly to make kits for Holden 253 and 308 V8s along with V6 Chevy kits, which proved to be very successful.
Now the Nineties have gone and many swaps have been done and will be done. Jeff says "we still can supply 95% of replacement parts for our kits sold since our inception in 1964".
When interviewed, Mr Dellow said "a lot of work goes into producing kits that contain the minimum of hybrid parts. It could be summed up simply by saying, "if you break down at the back of Bourke' then we can get you home using as many standard parts as possible," Jeff said.
Dellow Automotive will be there for a lot longer yet as the Company is very solid in the areas of investments and manufacturing as over 3,000 products are produced by them which are laid out in a very detailed and comprehensive catalogue which is an asset for any 4-wheel drive owner to read.