The Cannon range of spark ignition engines from America had its genesis in 1939, when Everett DeLong and Bob Steele of Lima, Ohio joined forces to produce the D&S engines. They manufactured a series of .29 cuin. spark ignition models as well as a .60 cuin. offering which was made in miniscule numbers.

The 1940 version of the D&S .29 introduced the “sidewinder” intake for the crankshaft front rotary valve and the very long flexible needle valve with its cylinder-mounted retaining clip which were to characterize the later Cannon models. In 1941 Everett DeLong relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, taking this design with him. He established a new factory in Cleveland and began producing very similar engines under the Cannon label. At this stage, the engines featured sand-cast components.

WW2 put a stop to production of the Cannon range, and after the conclusion of the war DeLong abandoned the Cannon enterprise, going his own way once more to establish his Super Motors Inc. company which was also located in Cleveland only a few blocks from the Cannon factory. There he manufactured the famous DeLong 30 sparker among other products. His departure did not slow renewed production of the Cannon engines, whch now featured their trademark circular fins on their cylinder heads. Both .299 cuin. and .358 cuin. models were produced, allowing owners to compete in two different classes simply by switching engines in the same model. The post-war Cannons all featured pressure die castings in place of the former sand castings.

The Cannon motors were very good performers, also exhibiting excellent quality. They were manufactured and sold in considerable numbers. However, the company never appears to have contemplated developing glow-plug versions following Ray Arden's late 1947 introduction of the commercial miniature glow-plug, choosing instead to end production in late 1947 or perhaps early 1948. 

A full review and test of the various Cannon models appears elsewhere on this website.