Lot Ended
Description
From a deceased estate; in the current family ownership for 59
years; body-off restoration in the late-1980s and only 8,000 miles since; rally
and show-winner in the past; long MOT; a super old Daimler that runs very
nicely
Launched in 1953
to replace the Consort, the upmarket Daimler Conquest was a modified version of
the Lanchester 14/Leda but fitted with a six-cylinder, single carb 2,433cc
engine that initially produced some 75bhp.
The large cruciform chassis had double wishbone front suspension with
laminated torsion bars, telescopic dampers and anti-roll bar, while the rear
suspension used leaf springs with telescopic dampers. Automatic chassis
lubrication to 21 points, using a pump controlled by exhaust heat, was a clever
feature. Drive was via a Daimler four-speed pre-selector gearbox with fluid
flywheel.
It came in three body styles, saloon,
roadster or drophead coupe, all with luxurious wood and leather interiors. In
1954 the engine was uprated to Century spec with a big-valve alloy head, higher
compression, high-lift cam and twin carbs which raised the output to a useful
100bhp with a top speed nudging 100mph. Largely hand-built and always an
expensive car, just 4,568 Conquest saloons and a further 4,818 Century versions
were sold before production came to an end in 1958.
Supplied new by HR Owen of London in June 1954, this Daimler Conquest
was first owned by the Managing Director of The NIG Manufacturing Company of
Dane Street, London WC1 and originally had the registration number OYR 3.
In 1955 it passed to another NIG Director, Mr
Andrew Wards Tait of Walton-on-Thames, who was chauffeur-driven in the car for
the next dozen years, as related in a letter on file. In 1966 it was acquired by
a relative of the current owner who kept it garaged in London but barely drove
it.
In 1985 it was inherited by our vendor’s
father at which point it had been laying dormant for 12 years. We are told by
the family that he was a professional agricultural engineer with a
well-equipped workshop full of lathes and other specialist engineering equipment
and had a reputation among the Norfolk farming community as 'the man who
could fix anything and could rebuild a combine harvester with his eyes shut'.
He set about returning the family Conquest to its former glory
and although there are no invoices to show exactly what was done, there are
dozens of photos on file showing that it was a major body-off restoration with
no corners cut (the last few photos give a flavour of how extensive the job
was).
Back on the road in April 1986, we are told
that it was the owner’s pride and joy and was used on special occasions only,
including a couple of family holidays on the Continent during which it always
behaved impeccably. We are told that it also attended various DLOC events and
rallies and won various trophies and rosettes although these have sadly
gone astray (we do have photos of a couple of them). No fewer than 26 old MOTs
show that it was tested every year until 2015, covering some 8,000 miles over
this period and being carefully maintained by the owner.
Over the
last few years it has been used much less frequently but we are told that the
owner continued to maintain it and take it for short local runs well into his
nineties. Although it is MOT-exempt, the family were confident enough to
submit it for an MOT before despatching it to Brightwells, a test which
it flew through in May this year with just two minor advisories (minor
exhaust leak; front brakes imbalanced).
As you
can see in the photos, the restoration has held up extremely well and this
Conquest still looks mighty fine some 40 years later. It has been starting
promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site. The driver's door
arm rest is currently not fitted but is stored in the boot along with a few
other spares.
On offer here from a deceased
estate with no reserve, this much-loved Daimler is now in search of a caring new
owner who can continue to cherish it as the current family have for the last six
decades.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970
309907 – [email protected]