Manufacturer: Daimler Model: E4 Limousine First Registered: ...

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£23,000

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Manufacturer: Daimler
Model: E4 Limousine
First Registered: 1939
Registration No: RegNo
Engine No: 4MSB591
Chassis No: 47806
MOT: Aug 2013
Colour: Ivory
Details:
The name Daimler was used by two completely separate groups of car manufacturers from 1896 to date. The history of both enterprises can be traced back to the German engineer Gottlieb Daimler who built the first four-wheeled car in 1889. The British business, based in Coventry, was first amalgamated with BSA in1910. In 1920 a deal was done with AEC forming the Associated Daimler Company for expansion into commercial vehicles and in 1931 Daimler completed the acquisition of the Lanchester Motor Group.

While Rolls-Royce may now share the patronage of royalty and business moguls in the 21st century they were both preceded by Daimler. Known as Britain's oldest car manufacturers, Daimler became the official transportation of royalty in 1898, after the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, was given a ride on a Daimler by John Douglas-Scott-Montagu later known as Lord Montagu of Beaulieu. Scott-Montagu, as a Member of Parliament, also drove a Daimler into the yard of the British Parliament, the first motorized vehicle to be driven there. Daimler received another Royal Warrant early in 1908, “Motor Car Manufacturer to the Court of Prussia” and the same year yet another as “suppliers of motor cars to the Court of Spain”. Every British monarch from Edward VII to Elizabeth II has been driven in Daimler limousines. In 1950, after a persistent transmission failure on the King's car, Rolls-Royce was commissioned to provide official state cars and as the fleet of Daimlers retired they were not replaced by new Daimlers.

The gradual decline of Daimler began in the initial post-war years and with the aforementioned loss of Royal patronage, increased purchase tax and strict limitations on fuel supplies the company struggled to maintained any meaningful market share but the brand was still very strong. There was a brief period in the 1950's when the infamous "Lady Docker" Daimlers attracted much attention but with scandal an intrigue surrounding Sir Bernard and Lady Docker some of the attention was unwelcome. Add to this the loss of the Royal patronage and the writing was on the wall. In may 1960 Daimler was sold to Jaguar Cars for £3.4 million and Jaguar acquired the additional manufacturing skills and space they desperately needed. Some models remained in production but all pure Daimlers were gradually phased out and replaced by Daimler badged Jaguar models..

During the 1930's Daimler's answer to the Derby Bentley, the 4 litre Light Straight Eight was an improvement on the 3 ½ litre version first introduced in 1936. The 4 litre, with greater power, better brakes and more impressive P 100 headlights was first introduced in 1938 and clothed exclusively by the finest coachbuilders around. Some spectacular bodies were produced by Van Den Plas and Freestone & Webb.

Offered here is a lovely example of the straight eight E4 with limousine coachwork by Freestone & Webb. The car is thought to be one of five originally built by Freestone & Webb and is now believed to be the only example left. It is equipped with the Wilson pre-select transmission and has been in regular use, as a wedding carriage since 2002.

The car was first registered to a Charles Carr of Winscombe, Somerset on the 14th January 1939. The next known owner was Mr Peter Osmond of Langport, Somerset who acquired the motor car on 29th June 1973. In October 1983 it was shipped to Milwaukee, on the QE2 by Mr John Julien, where it remained until being repatriated to the UK in 2002.

The car has benefited from both mechanical and cosmetic restoration and is presented in the original colour scheme of ivory with black wings and running boards. It is described as being in good condition throughout and is only offered for sale due to bereavement. The history file contains various letters from the Daimler and Lanchester Owners Club, a maintenance manual, copies of a parts manual and various other relevant papers.

Interior photographs will appear shortly.

Closed
Auction Date:
14th Apr 13 at 1:30pm BST

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Sale Dates:
14th Apr 2013 1:30pm BST (Lots 101 to 149)