Red Dellinger…The passing of a Great One…
Jun 19th, 2008 by Denis
Yesterday I learned with great sadness that Donald (Red) Dellinger had passed away.
He pretty much touched everyone in some way in this country in the Citroen community. I would not have gotten involved with Citroen myself was it not for Red. I purchased my very first Citroen from him; a 1972 DS21 Pallas, and in the glove-box of this very car was a copy of Red’s most famous work: The Adjustment of the Citromatic Transmission.
This article has appeared in a few publications over the years, but I have chosen the version that appeared in the Citroen Club of Ohio Newsletter Sept./Oct. 1984 issue. It will appear in the following post, so be sure to check it out. There is a short introduction by: Don James, who was the editor at the time.
Of all the information written over the years about the Citroen D Model this one has to rank as a Milestone of the all time greats. Red puts down in four very simple steps how to properly adjust this very unique and often misunderstood transmission. To this day it is the method that most people use to adjust the Citromatic transmission.
Red, I know that somewhere you are conducting court with a large group of Citroenthusiasts around you. They are listening to your every word, and taking notes. Few people in this country knew the cars as well as you, and you will be sorely missed! Take care!
We just found out about Red’s passing. We have known him for years….he was also a superb trap shooter. We also worked with Red on his feast at his home in Carlisle, Pa for the past 2 years…..maybe more. We are devistated after hearing the news. There was not even an obituary in the local papers! All of us who knew Red know that he would have liked some kind of “send-off”. We will be working on a memorial service for him, now that he is with his “irish rose”.
Sorry if you are looking for Citroen info.