1951 Daimler DB18 Consort

Description

Good running order and in regular use; nice transferable number; eye-catching colour scheme

The Consort was a development of the pre-war DB18 and was a quality four-door saloon powered by Daimler’s own six-cylinder ohv 2,522cc engine (also used in the firm’s military vehicles). Upright, formal and stately as a galleon, it was quite sprightly for all that (70bhp and 80mph) and you couldn’t fault the quality. Popular with billionaire Indian maharajahs and Royalty in Ceylon and Burma, even Winston Churchill had one. In production from 1949 to 1953, Daimler sold 4,250 of them.

First registered in May 1951, this Consort comes with very little history so we can’t tell you much about it. However, it does have 17 old MOTs which show that it has been in light regular use (always a good sign with any old car), clocking up some 5,000 miles since 2003, the odometer currently showing 99,784 miles.

A sticker in the window suggests that it was formerly owned by Ovono Group, a classic car hire company, so presumably it has been reliable enough to be loaned to the paying public. We are also told that it formerly saw service with a wedding car company in Wigan. An invoice shows that it was sold at a Mathewsons auction in February 2022 for £4,816. Our vendor acquired the car a few months ago in a part-ex deal and has discreetly fitted LED indicators below the bumpers, operated via the white bakelite switch on the dash.

It has certainly been starting promptly and running nicely as we have moved it around on site, with good 50psi oil pressure and the pre-selector gearbox working smoothly. Although acceptable, the paint finish is not quite as shiny as it could be. The icing on the cake is the original Notts-issue number plate, MNN 311, which is transferable and doubtless has a value of its own.

Quality six-cylinder post-war saloons are not cheap these days (R-Type Bentley, anyone?) and this attractive Daimler offers 90% of the Bentley experience at 10% of the cost.

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