Lot 222: 1939 Merlin Aerees Roadster

This four seater sports car was designed by the late Dennis Owen-Rees racing car builder and pilot, known as the Welsh Wizard. It is based on a 1939 Daimler type EL24 chosen for its beautiful sweeping side elevation, lightness and rigid boxed construction. Powered by a Jaguar 3.4 litre engine with modified camshafts and tensioners, mated to a synchromesh overdrive gearbox, the Merlin-Aerees has the braking courtesy of large cooled drums with servo assistance and retains the original Daimler worm drive rear axle and Rudge Whitworth 17' wire wheels. The result is a triumph of both styling and engineering. Close investigation of the car shows that all the work is superbly executed with vanadium steel being used for wing stays and welded captive nuts used throughout. The whole car is a model of technical improvisation yet built to the most exacting standards. Although this car is over 16ft 4in long, it still looks right from any angle. The road manners of this vehicle are described as impeccable, and the performance as startling. Now resplendent with an aircraft type dashboard featuring many original items from a Spitfire including a 540 gallon fuel guage, altimeter, magneto switches, etc. The gearlever is a Harrier Jump Jet control column with the rocket firing and camera buttons working the headlamp flash and the Klaxon. A tiger lamp and secret trunk have been fitted for the carrying of sporting guns. For security reasons the location of the secret trunk will only be revealed to the new owner! Originally sold directly from the Owen-Rees estate, this car is finished in silver grey with a black leather interior and is in good condition. It has appeared on television with its late owner and constructor and as well as many other magazine articles including the full story of its design and construction recounted by Michael Worthington-Williams in a feature entitled the Welsh Wizard in the September 1984 edition of Classic & Sports Car Magazine. Registered in Swansea and offered today with a V5 registration document, original design drawings, Aerees notepaper, tools and other articles of interest.