Lot 205: Daimler DB18 Special Sports Drophead Coup�

Daimler is one of the few manufacturers that can rightfully claim to have been established from the birth of the motor industry, and the marque is still with us today in association with Jaguar. The company's traditions of sound engineering, design and good workmanship have been maintained throughout, hardly surprising therefore that Daimler enjoyed a lengthy association with Royalty as suppliers of motor cars. Development of the pre-war Daimler Fifteen culminated with the DB18 model announced for 1939. Independent suspension appeared for the first time on a Daimler and the DB18 featured an enlarged, 2,522cc version of the overhead-valve six first introduced in 1933. Daimler's customary fluid flywheel, pre-selector gearbox and worm drive rear axle comprised the transmission. A new drophead coup� appeared at the first post-war London Motor Show in 1948: the DB18 Special Sports. Stylish in a most un-Daimler-like manner, the Special Sports featured coachwork by Barker, the latter, like Daimler and fellow coachbuilders Hooper, being one of the BSA Group's many companies. The radiator grille was now curved, the alloy-panelled coachwork more streamlined, and the Special Sports benefited from hydro-mechanical braking and a power output raised to 85bhp courtesy of twin carburettors. In short: a model combining all the usual Daimler refinements with increased performance. When DB18 production ceased in 1953, only 500-or-so of these elegant and refined Special Sports roadsters had been completed. This DB18 Special Sports features Barker's distinctive drophead coup� coachwork (body number '317-125') with bench front seat and single sideways-facing rear seat. The car is finished in two-tone blue (light over medium) with white-piped blue leather interior, black hood and whitewall tyres. Acquired by the current owner in February 2002, it was sent directly to Wildae restorations in the UK for a circa �30,000 restoration, invoices available. The odometer currently displays a total of 66,098 miles and the car is presented in very nice overall condition, a good driver and 'on the button'. The car is being sold solely due to lack of current use by the vendor. The vehicle has been UK-registered 'GVS 382' since 1st November 1992 and comes with Swansea V5 registration document and gearbox instruction manual