Description

1949 Daimler DB18 Barker DHC

SOLD £13,899

From a deceased estate; in single family ownership since 1973; one of only c.500 made; transferable number; charming patina and runs beautifully

The Daimler DB18 was launched in 1939 with a 2.5-litre 70bhp ohv six-cylinder engine and was essentially a development of the earlier Daimler New Fifteen. Built on a cruciform-braced chassis with an underslung worm-drive axle and independent front suspension, it had beautifully light worm-and-roller steering and Girling mechanical brakes. Transmission was by Daimler’s traditional pre-selector gearbox allied to a fluid flywheel which ensured smooth progress and gave it a top speed of 80mph with a 0-60mph time of around 17 seconds. The standard saloon had coachwork by Mulliners of Birmingham but drophead versions were also available at considerable extra cost from coachbuilders such as Charlesworth, Abbott, Barker and Tickford. This impressive aluminium-bodied three-position DHC has coachwork by Barker and was first registered in October 1949. Our vendor acquired the car in 1973 via an ad in Motor Sport where it was described by Sportscar Garages of London as having received "a major overhaul in 1956 and only 38,000 miles since". After haggling the price down from £700 to £570, our vendor had enough change left over to treat it to a full repaint in Navy and Ivory and to get all the brightwork replated at the same time. It was also given a full service and a new exhaust, a new double duck lined hood being also fitted a few years later. The blue leather interior is all original and nicely mellowed. Joining a small collection of vintage cars (Alvis, Bentley, Riley etc), the Daimler was always kept garaged and only lightly used over the following decades, various invoices showing routine upkeep over the years. On offer here from a deceased estate, it retains its original (transferable) number plate, LTB 832, and comes with a V5C, buff logbook, original owner’s manual and spare parts catalogue. Starting promptly and running beautifully as we moved it around at Brightwells, it is uncannily smooth to drive, ironing out the potholes in our yard as if they didn’t exist. One of only around 500 Barker-bodied DB18s produced, this aristocratic motorcar just oozes character and now needs an enthusiastic new owner to give it the more regular exercise it deserves.

For more information please contact James Dennison on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com