1937 Daimler running restoration
Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 9:09 pm
Hi everyone, allow me to introduce you to "Daphne", my 1937 Daimler 15 Mulliner Sports saloon. I've owned her for threee years and I am the 5th owner in 76 years according to the reasonably comprehensive history file. Having worked on her for around 18 months, she is now a reliable running retoration.
The bodywork is incredible: a testament to the thickness and quality of the steel that they used before the war. The engine is a bit tired (although a rebuild was performed about 10 years ago); the chassis is brilliant (massive "girders"); the steering is now sorted; the brakes are now sorted; the leather interior is tired and in need of nourishment; new carpets fitted; needs a new headlining. Main challenge is the electrics! The dyanmo feeds the rather rare Lucas RJF20 box which is a combined junction box, cut out and regulator. The wiring is 76 years old and a challenge to keep the contacts clean as corrosion has set in over the years. Replacing the wiring will be the next major project.
Daphne has an interesting overall specification. The drive chain is impressive: 2166cc straight 6 feeding a fluid flywheel (Daimler patent) and a Wilson preselctor gearbox. The SU carb, being the pre-war type, operates mechanically differently to the more modern SU units and is fed by a mechanical fuel pump. The brakes are Girling mechanical units; pretty efficient considering that the car weighs 2 tons! The front windscreen is hinged at the top, so on a hot day one can wind it almost horizontal and get teeth covered in flying insects. There is a fully working sun roof and I've also restored the rear window roller blind. The inclusion of a boot is rather unusual for a car of that era. There is a fan belt included in the toolkit: the owner's manual says something like "the cooling system is adequate for temperate climates, however the driver should fit the fan belt to assist cooling if driving in the tropics or sub-tropics"!
The Daimler 15, originally introduced in about 1933, was the first car made by Daimler that was not designed to be driven by a chauffeur. Up until then, Daimler had made large luxury cars used by royalty and the wealthy. The 15 was targetted at "the gentlemen driver" and was a very succesful line. Each year there were several variants of the car, usually a six light as well as a four light sports saloon. The idea was that you ordered the rolling chassis that also included the bulkhead, wings and radiator. The buyer was then put in touch with various body manufacturers such as Tickford, Mulliner, Barker etc. where you selected the body of your choice. The body and rolling chassis were "mated" and then delivered to a dealer for pre collection testing.
Here are some pictures
Best wishes, Dave B
The bodywork is incredible: a testament to the thickness and quality of the steel that they used before the war. The engine is a bit tired (although a rebuild was performed about 10 years ago); the chassis is brilliant (massive "girders"); the steering is now sorted; the brakes are now sorted; the leather interior is tired and in need of nourishment; new carpets fitted; needs a new headlining. Main challenge is the electrics! The dyanmo feeds the rather rare Lucas RJF20 box which is a combined junction box, cut out and regulator. The wiring is 76 years old and a challenge to keep the contacts clean as corrosion has set in over the years. Replacing the wiring will be the next major project.
Daphne has an interesting overall specification. The drive chain is impressive: 2166cc straight 6 feeding a fluid flywheel (Daimler patent) and a Wilson preselctor gearbox. The SU carb, being the pre-war type, operates mechanically differently to the more modern SU units and is fed by a mechanical fuel pump. The brakes are Girling mechanical units; pretty efficient considering that the car weighs 2 tons! The front windscreen is hinged at the top, so on a hot day one can wind it almost horizontal and get teeth covered in flying insects. There is a fully working sun roof and I've also restored the rear window roller blind. The inclusion of a boot is rather unusual for a car of that era. There is a fan belt included in the toolkit: the owner's manual says something like "the cooling system is adequate for temperate climates, however the driver should fit the fan belt to assist cooling if driving in the tropics or sub-tropics"!
The Daimler 15, originally introduced in about 1933, was the first car made by Daimler that was not designed to be driven by a chauffeur. Up until then, Daimler had made large luxury cars used by royalty and the wealthy. The 15 was targetted at "the gentlemen driver" and was a very succesful line. Each year there were several variants of the car, usually a six light as well as a four light sports saloon. The idea was that you ordered the rolling chassis that also included the bulkhead, wings and radiator. The buyer was then put in touch with various body manufacturers such as Tickford, Mulliner, Barker etc. where you selected the body of your choice. The body and rolling chassis were "mated" and then delivered to a dealer for pre collection testing.
Here are some pictures
Best wishes, Dave B
Absolutely gorgeous 
love it!