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1914 Daimler 25hp Tourer, the Daimler Motor Co Ltd, of London…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Nelson, New Zealand
Date:
14-Sep-2008
Lot No.
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Description:
1914 Daimler 25hp Tourer, the Daimler Motor Co Ltd, of London and Coventry proudly announced in their 1900 catalogue: 'We claim not only to be the pioneers of the industry in this country, but also to have kept the lead, thus placing Daimler Motor Carriages a long way ahead of all others.', they paid due respect to Gottlieb Daimler and the 'Daimler' system, and offered a range of twin- and four-cylinder cars and commercial vehicles. Conventional poppet valve engines were used throughout the early 1900s, but in 1909 the firm took the courageous decision to adopt the sleeve valve principle invented by Wisconsin engineer Charles Yale Knight. Sleeve valves were both quiet and smooth in operation, though perhaps at the expense of increased oil consumption, and were adopted in response to Rolls-Royce's introduction of the refined silver Ghost. By this time the Company enjoyed Royal patronage and the Royal Appointment from King Edward VII, while many other heads of state and dignitaries worldwide had espoused the marque. Daimler had a lot to lose, therefore, if the sleeve valve engine had proved unsatisfactory. Much of Daimler's own development was carried out under the direction of Dr Frederick W Lanchester, their Consulting Engineer, and to silence the sleeve valve's critics, two of their new engines were submitted to the Rac for independent scrutiny. No perceptible wear was found after 10,000 miles running, and the Company was duly awarded the prestigious Dewar trophy. By 1911 the adoption of the refined 'Silent Knight' sleeve valve engine had done much to turn around Daimler's fortunes. As advertised in ‘Beaded Wheels', this 25hp Daimler was purchased from a Mr rose in Auckland, New Zealand in 1987 as rolling chassis complete with engine, gearbox and wire wheels, ready for re-bodying. Auto Restorations, of Christchurch subsequently carried out a complete strip down and restoration of the vehicle and built a new body using Robert Dun's Daimler as a pattern. Over $170,000NZ was spent over the period 1988 to 1992, and the car comes with a complete file of invoices and photographs. Favoured by the English Royal Family and nobility, and the choice of Indian maharajahs and princes, these almost silent sleeve valve Daimlers combine engineering excellence with coachwork befitting the elegance and splendour of the Edwardian era.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Motor Vehicles: Motor Cars