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December 2009 ~
January 2010
December~January 2010
Daimler & Lanchester Owners’
Club in New Zealand Inc.
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Club Captain:
Patron:
Printer:
Website:
Ed Hayhoe
‘Beechcroft’ 19 Cabeleigh Drive, Helensville 0800
Ph: 09 420 6390 Fax: 09 420 6791
E-mail: [email protected]
John Penman
25A Fancourt Street, Meadowbank, Auckland 1072
Ph: 09 521 2011
Mike King
21 Millar St, Palmerston North 4410
Ph: 06 357 1237 Fax: 06 356 8480
Peter Mackie
P.O. Box 8446, Havelock North 4157
Ph: 06 877 4766
Winston Wingfield
7 Pioneer Crescent, Helensburgh, Dunedin 9010
Ph: 03 476 2323
Ian Hill
Penny May, Aorangi Print,
125 Campbell Rd, RD 5, Feilding 4775
Ph: 06 323 4516 (wk), 06 323 4698 (hm)
www.daimlerclub.org.nz
All membership enquiries to the Secretary.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MAGAZINE
Please send all contributions for inclusion in the magazine directly to the Secretary via fax
email or mail by the TENTH day of the month prior to publication.
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are purely those of the authors and
are not necessarily those of the Daimler and Lanchester Owners’ Club.
Daimler & Lanchester Owners’
Club in New Zealand Inc.
December 2009–January 2010
Contents
Page
From the Driver’s Seat – National President’s Report...................................................... 2
Getting Up to Speed – National Secretary’s Report . ...................................................... 3
th
th
National AGM & Mini Rally 8 – 9 May 2010...................................................................... 4
Round the Bazaars – Daimlers on the Run ......................................................................... 5
Articles of Interest:
Restoration of 1967 V8 2.5 Daimler................................................................................ 9
Photo Gallery............................................................................................................. 14–15
Brakes for Daimler Consorts.............................................................................................. 17
Daimler’s ‘Continental’........................................................................................................ 21
Hitting the Road – Daimler Events Diary.............................................................................. 24
Members’ Market.......................................................................................................................... 28
A New Wine for Seniors
Hunter vintners in the Pokolbin area, which primarily produces Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and
Pinot Grigio wines, have developed a new hybrid grape that acts as an anti-diuretic.
It is expected to reduce the number of trips older people have to make to the bathroom
during the night.
The new wine will be marketed as
PINO MORE !
From the Driver’s Seat ...
A Message from your National President
The weather doesn’t seem to have caught up with the calendar; usually by now we’ve
enjoyed plenty of outings and healthy tans. Hopefully things will improve as Christmas
approaches and I can get out and about with the roof down and take advantage of the
Branch outings.
I must say that the Magazine continues to inform, entertain and occasionally inspire,
congratulations to the producers and those stalwarts who keep the interesting articles
coming. Well done.
I would like to wish all our members a very Merry Christmas and all good things in
2010.
Ed Hayhoe
National President
YOUR CLUB WEBSITE NEEDS YOU !
To be successful and maintain interest, a Website needs regular updating.
I know our members will agree that our Website in its upgraded form has
progressed significantly since Shane Gibson rebuilt it and offered his ongoing
voluntary support as our Webmaster.
Shane has recently suggested that members could contribute to the content by
sending in photos of their favorite vehicle, together with associated descriptive
copy.
Additionally, members with a particular interest in any model, having researched
its history, may care to contribute relevant photos and a supporting article.
We would like to encourage your support in this area and ask you to forward copy
as outlined above directly to Shane at [email protected].
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Peter Mackie
2
Daimler & Lanchester Owners’ Club in New Zealand Inc
Getting up to Speed ...
A Word from your National Secretary
Welcome to this month’s new members.
• Bryce and Christine Strong of Waitakere City, they have a Daimler V8.
• Alistair and Julie Watt of Auckland, 1996 Daimler Six.
It is with great sadness that I have to inform members of the passing of a much respected
Manawatu member, Melvin Hollier. Mel and Eris joined our club in 1993 and over the years
have been enthusiastically involved, serving on committee and always there when there
was work to be done. Mel organised many Manawatu events, and knew of the interesting
places to visit, our recent visit to Jeff Fox’s was on Mel’s recommendation! He also had a
great knowledge of who did what and where to go to find that special tradesman.
Mel had a passion for the Edward Turner designs having owned an Aerial Square Four,
Triumph Speed Twin and of course his beautiful V8. This was admired by many, whether
as a wedding car or on display at local car shows.
We will miss Mel’s ready smile, his sense of humour and his contribution to our club.
Our sincere sympathy goes out to Eris and their family.
Eris still wishes to continue to pack and dispatch our magazines, thank you Eris.
A request from our webmaster, Shane Gibson, for photos and a few short paragraphs for
each model Daimler, Lanchester or BSA. Email to [email protected]. If you can
assist to spread the load it would be much appreciated, our website is being viewed and
has led to many enquiries.
Manawatu member Bruce Gibson has what must be the “TradeMe” buy of the year, a fully
mobile Daimler 104, just needs some cosmetic tidy up, for a very reasonable fee. Even
drove it home from Rotorua! A REAL Daimler Gibby!
Neville Nicholson’s DB17 should have its chassis and body reunited by now. He has been
looking for an oil pressure relief valve and has had one made in UK. It’s actually the same
part as that used in the DB18.
Peter McLean has replaced the bushes and seal in his Conquest steering box, Bushes
Glacier 16DU20, seal OSI-100-137-10, total cost $18.
The SP250 Club organised a great run for the 50th anniversary of the SP250, starting from
Ohope, travelling through the Waiweka Gorge, some great back roads to Wairoa and
overnight stop in Gisborne. Sunday took us North to East Cape and back to Ohope. We
had 13 SP’s, great company, great roads and of course great fun cars! The back of my car
was significantly lower than others, so on returning home off came the rear springs. It
seems not many places can reset them these days, so they were off to Archers Springs in
Rotorua for an uplifting experience! They have now been refitted, the ride and handling
transformed.
Christmas is almost upon us again, to all our members, a happy and safe holiday season.
Mike King
NATIONAL AGM & MINI RALLY 8th – 9th MAY 2010
This event probably seems a long way off, especially with our thoughts at this time
concentrated on Christmas and perhaps, end-of-year holidays.
We expect that many members will choose to travel and arrive on Friday and some
perhaps will extend their stay until Monday, giving the opportunity to visit the many
attractions located in the area.
Registration will commence on Saturday mid-morning, prior to the AGM and Luncheon,
all located in the Havelock North Community Centre and the Mini Rally Run will depart
from here early in the afternoon, following the Luncheon.
Registration has been set at $50 per person, covering the Saturday Luncheon, Mini
Rally Run and Visit and the Saturday Evening Dinner and Entertainment. An optional
programme has also been arranged for Sunday and will be of interest to those staying
on.
Registration Forms will be distributed with the February – March issue of the Magazine
and will need to be completed and returned no later than the 15th April.
It seemed appropriate at this time to give you a list of available Motels in Havelock
North, booking for which is your responsibility, given that accommodation in this area
will be in demand due to the many events scheduled around this time. We recommend
that you secure your booking early to obtain the accommodation of your choice. The
listed Motels are all located within walking distance to the Cafés and Restaurants and
Community Centre with details available on line for those of you that are on the Net.
The Motels are:Te Mata Lodge Motel
Harvest Lodge
Havelock North Motor Lodge
Village Motel
21 Porter Drive
23 Havelock Road
7 Havelock Road
16 Te Aute Road
06 877 4880
06 877 9500
06 877 8627
06 877 5401
2 Arataki Road
06 877 1107
And located a little further out:Wine Country Motor Lodge
We look forward to your participation in our AGM and Mini Rally and welcoming you to
Hawkes Bay.
Any further enquiries c/- Peter Mackie, 06 877 4766
Club Caps for Sale
Dark blue with tan peak.
“Daimler” embroidered on front – $15.00 each
Orders to
Bert Empson, 8 Byrd Street, Levin. Ph (06) 368-0696
Round the Bazaars ...
Daimlers on the Run
Auckland
Sunday October 18 a small group assembled at the Botanical Gardens car park for the
usual cuppa and bickie before setting out for the short run to see Richard Langridges
car collection now house on his farm near Whitford. We were joined there by member
of the Jowett Club.
th
Now some people collect stamps or tea pots or potties or even steam railway engines,
his passion is British cars, mostly Rollers. I lost count, not enough fingers and toes but I
think some 34 in total, all roadworthy and driven regularly. To decide which to take out
each day must be worse than deciding which shirt to put on. The only one he can’t take
out like that is a Sarason Armored Car, with a fake gun, RR powered.
Most are housed in a courtyard complex in a style truly fit for a collection of this quality,
each in an individual garage. He started his talk with all the doors still closed and at a
touch of a button all the doors rose in unison. We were then given a talk on the history
of each car, the oldest I think a 1921 Rolls, but there were Bentleys, an Elvis, Mk5 Jag drop
head, Bristol 309, MG Tf, and many others, cars to drool over.
We then moved up to the house where the remainder were housed. There is always one
missing as he always has one in the office window of his car hire (Metropolitan Rentals)
Dominion Rd. I always look to see what is there when I go past. At the time of the visit it
was the 1927 Vauxhall boat tail; at the time of writing this it’s the MG.
We then moved to the Sarason where he told the story of the problem he has with
people going on to the farm without asking, mainly to catch eels in the various creeks,
but as he said sometimes to catch a bit of mutton as well. He spotted a group who he
knew should not be there so fired up the Sarason and went in pursuit. When he got
close enough and announced a very loud “load and prepare to fire” his comment was
“they sure did scatter.”
We then all moved off down the road to the Whitford Pub for a pleasant lunch. Altogether
a most pleasant day’s outing with the usual great company.
Neil Kruse
Tom’s Wild Ride
I thoroughly enjoyed the ride out on Sunday. The weather treated us kindly, the company
numbered 14 persons plus one dog. I would like to thank all those that participated,
Tom for creating the event and Glenys for organising the afternoon tea at the “Salty
Dog”. The ride started at Albany and ended at Snell’s Beach passing many times under
the Motorway North, this led us through many beautiful and quiet country roads until
we popped out at Waiwera. After that we continued our ride North to Warkworth and
then to Snell’s Beach where we had a substantial afternoon tea.
Bryan Davis
________________________________________________________________________
Waikato–BOP
Visit to Kiwifruit Country at Te Puke
September 20th dawned a beautiful spring day. Mid-morning saw 15 members meet
in the car park at Kiwifruit Country at Te Puke. It was then off to the cafe for a caffeine
break. A bit of furniture re-arranging and we were all able to sit at the one table.
11am it was outside to go for a tour of the complex. The mode of transport was in the
form of a road train. Amongst much laughter we set off, travelling through an orchard of
citrus and fruit trees and then the kiwifruit vines. We disembarked in the middle of the
vines to be given a very informative talk on the four seasons of the kiwifruit. It was then
back on the train to the cafe. We had kiwifruit wine tasting and had time to look around
the well stocked souvenir shop.
After an enjoyable lunch at the cafe and more talk and laughter, it was time to make
tracks for home.
This was a great venue and many thanks to Paul for organising this outing, and the
beautiful weather.
Colin and Maureen King
________________________________________________________________________
Hawke’s Bay
Sunday 20th September we held a “Dice @ Check” run organised by our local committee.
The run began at the National Aquarium on Marine Parade, on a lovely sunny day and
with a very nice line-up of cars. The run notes included some questions regarding local
landmarks and included a shake of the dice at each of the checkpoints. The views on the
run were stunning, made even better in the sunshine, and everyone arrived at the Rose
and Shamrock in Havelock North, for Nosh and Natter after the final checkpoint.
Ann Bowes
________________________________________________________________________
Manawatu Meanderings
September 20 was to be our visit to view Les Rankine’s collection of exotic cars, but the
wet weather meant he had nowhere for us to park! After enlisting the help from a friend,
he suggested I try Terry Rush in Feilding. He had recently set up a collection of special
vehicles, a phone call later and it was confirmed. Some 26 members left Palmerston
North as planed, and with rather sketchy directions as to how to get to Terry’s, I managed
to get one instruction wrong, the result, a serpentine of Daimlers negotiating a busy road
following the lost leader!! Being the careful drivers that we are, we all made it to Terry’s
safely and only a little late. He ushered us into the reception area, giving a background
to his collection of cars, models, posters and memorabilia.
th
Entering the “shed” we were blown away by Terry’s collection, a 500cc Cooper, Bruce
McLaren’s first single seater, a Mclaren M22 F5000 race car, a Lola and 2 Begg F5000’s
and Grahame McCrae’s CanAm car for starters! These we could view at close quarters,
sit in, photograph (but sadly declined when asked if we could just take them down to
Manfield for some action shots!).
Terry has been involved with racing cars all his life and is collecting any “New Zealand
significant” racing cars, thus preventing them from leaving our shores. In addition, he
has other interesting vehicles which include Morrie Minors, an original Ford V8 truck,
a beautiful International 1 tonner, Valiant Charger and High Performance Commodore
and others. Also on display is a large collection of models and brassware.
There was something of interest for all, with some great shots of “would-be” racing
drivers. After thanking Terry for his hospitality, we set off for a Feilding café for a welcome
coffee and chat.
Our October event was also a very special, it was an occasion to remember Mel Hollier,
on whose suggestion, the visit to Jeff Fox was arranged. We had 24 members meet at
Ohau to drive in convoy the short distance to Jeff’s shed in Manakau. Jeff gave us a
rundown on how he came to get involved with the specialised business of manufacturing
wooden aircraft propellers. He now makes these for the growing number of WW1
aircraft for Peter Jackson and others.
The process begins with the careful selection of timber which must be straight grained,
of a consistent density and of the required tensile strength. The timber planks are
laminated and left to cure and stabilise in a large press which is torqued down along its
length. From here, it can be a fairly inexact science and extremely detailed process. The
factors considered are the Horsepower of the engine (not necessarily precisely known)
and the drag expected from the fuselage and wings. The prop determines the engine
revs as most do not have a throttle, control is by means of an ignition cut-out! (Scary
stuff).
If a sample prop is available, it can provide the correct profile, but more usually, a
template is specially produced. This is loaded into a profile hand router and roughed
out approx 10mm bigger than required, then left to cure for a week or so, to ensure
any warping occurs before the final form is carved on the prop. Any faults render it to
an expensive piece of firewood! The process is finished with balancing and lacquering,
a process Jeff demonstrated by sitting a small square of sandpaper on a blade tip. An
extra layer of lacquer can effect the balancing process.
The final test is on the aircraft, if it revs to slow it can be corrected, to fast, time to start
again! Jeff pointed out the most severe loadings are when the aircraft is run up to full
throttle when stationery, if it holds together, it’s a runner! He explained that these props
do not require certification, they are categorised as “experimental”!
But wait, there’s more, there’s no end to this man’s talents. The next shed, in addition
to the laminating press, a couple of pre-war Norton flat tank bikes, beautifully restored
and several more project bikes in the loft. Most of this sheds space was taken by an
enormous V12 Packard, Jeff was restoring the woodwork. The owner reportedly left
Wellington with a full fuel tank, then had to refuel at Paraparaumu to reach Manakau!
(And I thought the Double Six was thirsty.)
Another story with a twist, Jeff was telling us of his brother who was rebuilding a vintage
Oldsmobile (it came from Taihape), and was on his way to America, one of his missions
was to try and locate front guards for same. A member of our group (also from Taihape),
was able to tell him to stop looking, he had recovered said guards from under a Taihape
house and they were in his shed! What can you say!
Many thanks to Jeff for the opportunity to inspect his operation, it never ceases to amaze,
the professional skills carried out in New Zealand’s back yard sheds.
To conclude the day, the old Stone Church Café 3 doors up the road, provided the
afternoon caffeine fix and nibbles, very nice too, a most enjoyable day.
Mike King
________________________________________________________________________
Otago
We have not got anything organised for before Christmas but hopefully in the New Year
the committee will be advising up and coming events.
In February we are hoping to have another Garden Tour.
Then on Sunday 7th March the Jaguar Driver Club are holding the Best Of British, more
details later.
The committee would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and
safe motoring over the holiday period.
Kaye Wingfield
________________________________________________________________________
Articles of Interest ...
Restoration of 1967 V8 2.5 Daimler
Paul L Edginton
My first experience of travel by Daimler was in my great uncle’s ‘Consort’ going
from Invercargill to Riverton Rocks in 1955. That car is still owned by my cousin and
unfortunately despite my best efforts he seems reluctant to let me become the new
owner. All my life I have had a love affair with motor cars. I blame this on my parents’
Christmas gift of a blue and yellow pedal car at the age of three. I have now owned 6
Daimlers and this is the restoration journey of my present car, DP3259, a 1967 2.5 V8
manual OD.
During my OE, in the middle ’70s, in the UK I owned virtually the same car in a rather nice
burgundy metallic with matching leather and chrome wire wheels. The manual versions
of the Daimler V8 are quite rare and the big bumper version is even rarer as they were
only made for 5 months before the slim-line V8 250 was introduced. I greatly enjoyed
that car when touring around England with friends.
In 2006 I purchased a 1965 V8 at auction paying, in hindsight, rather too much for a car that
initially looked very good but was in a much worse condition body wise than expected.
The car drove very well, especially after I had replaced the shock absorbers with a new
set of Konis but the automatic gearbox was very frustrating so I decided to look for a
manual version. A beautiful restored red example did come up on TradeMe with a price
tag of $26,000 which as it turned out would have been a good buy, however it was sold
within the family before I was able to view it. I was surprised and delighted therefore
when, after a couple of months of searching, to find another car on TradeMe located in
Christchurch with a price tag of $12,000. I promptly fired off an email while checking the
flight times to Christchurch. The owner’s response the next day was disappointing in
that he had already agreed to sell the car to the Daimler Spare Parts Club for slightly less
than the asking price. After consultations with the Club it was agreed to onsell the car
to me for $13,000. On Saturday 27th January 2007 I arrived accompanied with a friend/
mechanic to collect the car and drive it back to Hamilton. First stop Picton.
My first driving impressions were a mixture of good and bad. The engine had good part
throttle pick-up but didn’t want to rev. The oil pressure was a bit low at 35psi but all
the other gauges were reading normally. The clutch needed adjustment making gear
changing a bit noisy however the overdrive worked very well giving 100kph cruising at
just under 3000rpm. Once we left the Canterbury Plains behind and found some hills
and bumpy corners I experienced some rear wheel steering when driving enthusiastically
and the brakes were not very good at all.
Day 2 saw us on the early ferry to Wellington with the sea like a millpond. We cruised into
Bulls and made a stop for an ice cream as it was a very hot day. As we sat enjoying Tip Tops
Hokey-Pokey we discussed how smoothly the trip was going so far. On restarting the
engine I noticed that the temperature gauge was reading 95 which was about 15 hotter
than when we had stopped. Heat soak, I thought and drove off thinking that the needle
would soon move down once we hit cruising speed. After about 30 km the temperature
had steadily climbed to 105 and expecting to be enveloped in steam at any moment we
pulled over to the side of the road and popped open the bonnet. There was no obvious
sign of overheating and as our supply of water was limited a decision was made to carry
on to the next service station. Chris was driving and we were both keeping a very close
watch on the instruments when he noticed that the ignition warning light was on. The
top fan belt had failed; no problem I thought Chris will have the spare on in no time.
Wrong size!!! The belt was just too small. It was not, I hasten to add one supplied by the
club. So plan B was to call out the AA which my wife (also Chris) had insisted I join before
the trip. Clever people wives and should be listened to at all times. The AA man went off
and returned shortly with the correct sized belt and we were soon on our way again. We
got back to Hamilton without any further problems having managed 27mpg.
Tip If your gauge readings are inaccurate the fault may lie in the small voltage control unit
located behind the centre drop down panel that holds the small gauges and switches. My
temperature gauge read high when the cabin temperature rose after the car had been sitting
in the hot sun.
The Restoration
My long-term mechanic and car guru made a very astute observation about classic car
restoration: “It will take three times as long and cost three times as much as you expected,
then the car will be worth a third of the total expenditure”. Wise words indeed. I drove
the car as daily transport for several months until I retired. Whilst it was reliable and
appeared relatively unmolested there seemed to have been very little maintenance
done for some time and the problem areas were:•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
10
Worn out clutch.
Poor synchromesh made worse by the clutch not disengaging fully.
Dirty oil and filter.
Very poor and heavy brakes.
Steering sticky and there was a significant oil leak from the steering box.
The leather upholstery was in poor condition and the door trims had been very
poorly re-coloured.
The headlining had been badly replaced with the wrong fabric.
The rear suspension needed rebuilding.
The woodwork had been “refinished” using a brushed on polyurethane which very
effectively hid most of the wood grain.
The car had been repainted very poorly with quite a lot of over spray.
There was not a lot of obvious rust but there was some visible at the rear of the back
wheel arches at bumper level.
11
Tip Get a workshop manual and a parts manual. I have these books on a CD and the parts
manual in particular is very helpful when ordering parts and the exploded diagrams are
essential for re-assembly.
First I made up a trolley to allow me to move the body once the wheels and suspension
were off. This was a simple wooden frame sitting under the sills and it moved on
industrial strength castors.
Tip Take digital photos of the dismantling process and parts; also keep a diary to record to
progress. You will save yourself a lot of distress this way when rebuilding commences.
I started on the rear suspension. Expect all the fastenings to be hard to undo due to rust
and layers of crud. The bolts securing the torque arms to the chassis were rusted in and
had to be hacksawed out but otherwise no problems were found and the diff was soon
sitting on the garage floor. The cause of the rear wheel steering became obvious in
that all the rubber bushes (which were probably original) had clapped out allowing the
backend to move in ways the designers had never intended. The diff end of the panhard
rod had been rubbing so that 30% of the metal shaft had worn away.
Tip Buy some small re-sealable plastic bags or containers for small parts, screws etc that can
be labelled and stored easily.
I removed the rear brake callipers and using compressed air I removed the pistons.
As I had expected the condition of the brake pistons and calliper bores indicated a
lack of servicing over many years. I ultimately replaced or rebuilt the entire braking
system. Working forwards, off came the rear springs, the exhaust system (with the aid
of a hacksaw), the front sub-frame bumpers lights etc. There were no nasty surprises
however there was a long list of work to be done.
Tip Be very careful in your choice of Restorer/Painter. Seek advice and testimonials of happy
customers. Do not pay in advance of work to be done.
I made a BAD choice, the bodywork and painting took twice as long as expected, the
company lost a few parts and went into receivership with the car 80% done which
meant an extra $3200 had to be paid to get the car back and finished. I will not bore you
with a long description of the reassembly which took me about 9 months but here is a
list of what was done and approximate costs which may assist you in planning a similar
project.
Leather
About ½ of the leather panels were replaced and along with the door trims the whole lot
was re-coloured. The work was done to a high standard by:Leathersmiths Ltd
Auckland
09 2734940
$3,400.00
Body & Paint
$26,000.00
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Body Panels
These were supplied by the Daimler Spares Club from stock, prices ex GST and freight.
Outer sill $150.00
Closing plate under grill (a common rust area) $37.00
Front wheel arch repair section R&L $520.00
Re-Veneer & Refinishing Woodwork
This was done by fellow club member Roger Hennebry and looks magnificent; probably
better than new. Although the price seems expensive considering the number of hours
Roger spends and the level of expertise it is more than fair. I am delighted with the
result.
$4,370.00
Front Suspension
$1,545.00
Steering Box Recon
$450.00
Differential
New seals wheel bearings and fitting knock off hubs
$690.00
Clutch & Gearbox
$1,425.00
Brakes
$600.00 approx. (I converted the front brakes to 4 pot callipers off a Volvo 240 but that
is a subject for another article)
Stainless Steel Exhaust System
$1,200.00
Furflex
$170.00
Full Rubber Set
$790.00
Headlining Replaced
$900.00 approx. (The wool cloth was $280.00 and some of the installation was done by
me and Roger H, well if I’m honest mostly by Roger – thanks Roger.)
Reflocking of the Glovebox & Map Tray
$80.00
13
Jeff Fox and one of the larger 4-blade
propellors.
The laminations being glued in this precision
press. 1925 model 18 Norton behind.
Note the sandpaper establishing the balance!
John Palliser and Barry Cleaver inspect the V12
Packard.
The enormous V12 Packard.
Pauline inspects the McCrae Canam car at
Terry Rush’s. This looks to big for me!
14
Hmmm, Cooper. This is more my size...
Pauline, Pauline
handbag!
Young Jack tries the Mclaren M22.
Grahame McIvor got in ok...
But, oh dear!!!
Neville Nicholson's DB17 ready for body to be
refitted.
you've
forgotten
your
15
Restoration of 1967 V8 2.5 Daimler (Continued)
There are obviously a lot of smaller items such as fastenings, glue, electrical wiring etc
that all add up but at this level of restoration there is no point in reusing rusty old nuts
and bolts.
The Result
It is a great looking car. The Mark 2 body shape is and always will be a style icon. I
am very happy with the colour I chose to have it painted and it goes very will with the
red interior. It sounds great rather more like a hotrod than a Gentleman’s saloon. The
performance is good particularly the low to middle torque allowing smooth top gear
pull from 1000rpm but it also likes to rev.
The manual OD does make a good car better; certainly more ‘sporting’ and also more
relaxed cruising with 100kph showing 2800rpm. While our sensible Ford Focus is a
‘better’ car in most respects I still have a huge grin when I drive the Daimler, that doesn’t
happen in the Ford.
Conclusion
It is cheaper by far to buy somebody else’s restoration project even if it has not been
finished as I have seen some good buys on TradeMe. The proviso is that the work has
been done to a high standard and there are no nasty surprises. If you want a concourse
car then your cheque book needs to be even larger than above. On my car some trim
items notably the bumpers were left original as re chroming them was going to cost
circa $1,200.00 and I had to stop somewhere.
Would I do it again?
YES !!
(Note from wise woman – NO!)
________________________________________________________________________
16
Brakes for Daimler Consorts
(Driving Member, Vol 31, No 9, pp 16–17)
I recently came across some drawings and information supplied by Girling many years
ago to a previous owner of my Consort.
The braking system (hydraulic front, rod rear) is quite difficult to set up and adjust.
When I first overhauled my braking system I had great difficulty achieving MOT standard
efficiency. Even now they are bedded in they fall well below modern car standards.
Apart from the hydraulic cylinders most of the information also applies to earlier DB18s,
particularly the front suspension exploded diagram, so they should be invaluable to
members struggling with restoration work this winter.
Figure 1.
Hydraulic front brake assembly for Consort.
17
Figure 2.
Mechanical rear brake assembly for Consort. (Also front and rear on some
cars.)
Fitting Instructions for the Tension Type Master Cylinder Service Kit
The small end seal is placed in the forward end of the cylinder, lips facing uppermost
followed by the seal spreader, apex into the seal and then the washer. The seal support
washer is located with the flat side against the shoulder in the forward end of the cylinder,
followed by the recuperating seal, backed up by the steel shim (if fitted), and followed
by the sleeve with relieved side uppermost, round which is fitted the rubber sealing ring.
The rubber boot is packed with red rubber grease and placed over the operating rod
and located over the end of the cylinder.
Note to Consort Owners
I have a large folio of technical information on this model including copies of my various
articles in this magazine over the years. I will be glad to share this information for the
cost of photocopying only if any member would like to write to me at this address:
Peter Wimpenny, Southview House, Mansfield Road, Creswell, Worksop, Notts S80 4AA
18
Figure 3.
Assembled and X-exploded views of the tension type master cylinder.
Figure 4.
Behind the front brakes there is the front suspension assembly!
19
Daimler’s ‘Continental’
(Fluid Driving, Vol 40, No 8, August 2009, pp 10–16)
This is one of the most mysterious Daimlers
ever made. With any luck, owner Duncan
Saunders hopes this story will throw light
on the missing years of the magnificent
beast you see here. It’s a car he’s devoted
the lion’s share of his spare time to restoring
over the last eight years in his Burton-uponTrent barn.
From the hand-beaten asymmetry of the
front wings and the leafy green headlining,
to the throaty rumble of the 3½-litre straight
six engine, Duncan has lovingly rejuvenated
every detail of the car. It hasn’t looked like this since October 1956 when Daimler’s answer
to the Bentley Continental was revealed to a watching world at the Earls Court motor
show.
Never heard of it before? Not surprising, when the show ended, the car disappeared into
obscurity before it emerged on a Manchester used car lot seven years later.
Sandwiched in the coachbuilder’s ledger between a Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith touring
limousine for Clarence Dillon Esq. and a Daimler 3½-litre Empress saloon for Spink
(Bournemouth) Ltd, the official description is: ‘Daimler 3½-litre Fixed Head Coupe, Hooper
Earls Court 1956’. What that innocuous description masks amounts to a unique two-door
‘coupe’ body panelled in aluminium, mounted on an aluminium sub-frame based on cast
alloy body supports. Styled under the direction of suave Hooper chief designer Osmond
Rivers, this was built on a Daimler 104 DF310 cruciform, box-section chassis extended at
both front and rear. Unlike other coachbuilt cars of the period, it was constructed without
a heavy ash body frame. The front wings bolted on while the body section from the scuttle
back was a welded-together section with no central pillars.
The car used the 104’s standard 3468cc overhead valve straight-six engine, with twin
carburettors. Most 104s had Daimler’s trademark epicyclic gearbox, with fluid flywheel
and pre-selector; this car, however, had a Borg Warner Type 35 three-speed automatic
gearbox, with a column-mounted shift.
Lighter, lower, sportier – these
were the aims. The radiator
grille was cut down, the
roofline was lowered and the
deeply hooded peaks of the
front wings, besides carrying
the head and sidelights,
incorporated mesh-covered
intakes to take air, through a
labyrinth of plumbing, to the
passenger compartment. The
launch press release talked
grandly about ‘fume, sound,
draught and dust prevention
20
measures’. In reality, that meant air intakes
with internal butterfly valve control and a
fine mesh filter to stop insects being sucked
into the cabin.
The press release also said the car would
have spats partly covering the rear wheels,
frameless door glasses and a rear seat
that could be hinged up to accommodate
luggage. In the event, none of these features
appeared on the show car. What did make
it was the unusual-for-Daimler padded
dashboard. ‘Where possible’, all sharp edges
and protruding controls were eradicated.
The car also featured early Triplex Sundym
tinted glass for windscreen and backlight but
not the side windows.
Seventeen feet and three inches long and 5ft
11½in wide, this was no threat to sporty GT’s
like the Lancia Aurelia B20 or Aston Martin
DB2/4. But at 5ft 1in high and weighing
35cwt, it was revolutionary for a Daimler –
and lots lighter than a stuffy old 104 saloon.
A Bentley rival? Well, the R type Continental
was proven as a 120mph car. And while the
Crewe coupe was expensive, it could justly
claim, in standard HJ Mulliner fastback form,
to be one of the world’s most beautiful cars.
Mr Rivers tended to style striking rather than
ravishing cars. However, having returned to
Hooper’s Chiswick factory after the show, the
Daimler ‘Continental’ faded away. It seems it
was stripped down and the distinctive beige
over pale green coachwork was carefully
repainted, first dark green and later, maroon
with a grey roof. The coachbuilder also fitted
electric windows. It was registered early in 1957 with a Greater London Council number
but to whom no one knows – Lady Sangster, wife of then Daimler chairman Sir Jack, is the
rumour.
“It was Hooper practice to ‘neutralise’ its Daimler show cars before they were sold on,” says
Duncan, “but this one just seems to have disappeared after that.”
It eventually turned up in 1963 in Manchester, where a Knutsford businessman bought it
and used it every day for work and to take his family and caravan touring – until, one day
in 1973, the car began to overheat: When he finally limped home, he parked it in his front
garden and never drove it again. It sat there, forlorn, for 12 years. It had done just 53,000
miles. Duncan takes up the story.
“I had a local estate agent friend, also a Daimler enthusiast, who moved to Cheshire. One
day in 1985 he went along to photograph a house coming up for sale and there, in the
front garden, was this strange Daimler. Although it had been mentioned in a couple of
21
books, no one knew what
had happened to it and few
knew much about the car. He
immediately recognised it,
however, and told me about it.”
Duncan was keen to buy it but
the owner knew the car was
something unusual and was at
first reluctant to sell. Eventually,
however, Duncan assured him it would be going to a good home and paid £850 for it.
“I didn’t know what I was taking on,” admits Duncan. “It took two days just to prise the
rusted-shut bonnet open.” There were dents in the aluminium wings and the engine and
gearbox were seized solid, but this didn’t put Duncan off. As a founder-member of the
Daimler & Lanchester Owners’ Club, and having owned numerous examples including an
SP250, he knew the cars intimately. He was determined to restore the car to exactly as it
was at its debut, colour scheme, details and all.
“I’d never done such a massive restoration job before,” says Duncan, “and I found the idea
of taking the body off the chassis pretty daunting.” Separating body from chassis proved
remarkably easy, however. It also meant the car could be tackled in two halves.
“The chassis extensions are very Heath Robinson-esque,” says Duncan, “yet they seem to
be blacksmith-made with absolutely no finesse – you can see them poking out of the back
of the car.”
Duncan stripped down the engine himself and had parts reground where required. He
only replaced parts, like bearings, where absolutely necessary. The Borg Warner automatic
gearbox was checked by a specialist but it took three attempts to get engine and gearbox
back together in an oil leak-free marriage.
As a finishing touch to the rolling chassis, Duncan cast his own polished alloy rocker box. It
was the bodywork and unique trim, though, which presented the biggest problems.
The car was very much hand-made: the front wings differed very slightly from one side to
the other, for instance, and one front bumper mounting had spacers to make it look even.
“At a glance, these things look the same, but in detail they differ wildly. I had a specialist
aluminium welder replace dented metal on the wings but I must have had them on and
off 20 times before they fitted properly.” If the car had imperfections that were original, he
reasoned, they should be restored rather than rectified, although corrosion forced him to
weld new steel sheet into the boot floor.
Only from tiny, preserved chips of the original paint could Duncan recreate the correct
green and beige colour scheme. The green was specially mixed from a Vauxhall paint,
while the top is in Ford Cordoba beige, indistinguishable from the original. The wheels
were painted to match the body, as they were in ’56, and Duncan discovered the same
colour was used on the back of the rear view mirror and on the steering wheel – typical
Hooper touches he’s carefully recreated after they were removed all those years ago by
the bodybuilder.
The interior had deteriorated rather than been butchered. Trimmed in tan leather,
condensation and heat had curled door trim and dashboard panels. Duncan restored it
all himself, although he managed to rescue the original seats with gallons of hide food.
They now look fabulous. He also made and fitted all the car’s carpets, for interior and
22
boot, and beautifully edged them in tan leather to match the rest of the interior. Similarly,
the eucalyptus instrument panel, framing sporty white-on-black dials, looks terrific after
hours of diligent polishing, while Duncan searched far and wide for replacement wood for
the door and rear compartment cappings. He eventually found a eucalyptus specialist in
Suffolk which provided perfectly matching fillets.
The car was finally completed this summer when the heavy, rechromed bumpers –
standard-issue 104 – the number plate light (an inverted R-type Bentley item) and the side
windows were installed. The bright green headlining was also refitted.
“Apart from the respraying and
rechroming, I did all the work
myself and what I couldn’t do I
learnt,” says Duncan. “But when
putting it back together, I often
had to take two steps back
for every one forward.” The
engine had already been run
in so, soon after finishing this
unique motor car off, Duncan,
his wife and two friends set off
for a 750-mile trip to Scotland for a DLOC bash at Doune Castle: “It never missed a beat and
when we got there, no one felt at all exhausted after the trip,” says Duncan proudly. No
firecracker, the big Daimler straight six has bags of relaxed torque – it’s running at 3000rpm
at 70mph and just 2500 at 55 – and makes a lovely throaty noise. Flushed with success, the
Saunders have just enjoyed a long tour round the Cotswolds in the car, too.
From the cockpit, looking down that long green bonnet with the twin peaks of the
outrageous wings on either side, this is a relaxed grand tourer that, despite its flamboyance,
could only be British. But could this really have been a Continental basher?
The truth is, no one knows. No replicas were made and this one-off prototype, charmingly
hand-made, shows no signs of ever having been intended for production; the lashed-up
chassis and uneven wings prove that.
More feasible, perhaps, was that it was intended to be the sixth of the infamous ‘Docker
Daimlers’, a series of show cars that, from 1951 to 1955, were the stars of Earls Court.
It’s highly likely that Duncan’s car would have carried on the Docker tradition of exotic,
Hooper-bodied Daimlers as surefire motor show attention grabbers.
Anxious to rid itself of the spendthrift image of Bernard and Norah Docker, but with its
swansong showpiece almost complete, Daimler’s new board hastily changed its marketing
tactics. This was no frivolous plaything for the idle rich, it said: this was a scientific study
for a rival Bentley Continental, a contemporary paean of technological, sophisticated
elegance. Rather than being a show car, it was what we’d now call a concept car.
Trouble was, with or without the Dockers, the car received little or no attention, and it’s a
tribute to Hooper’s design and Duncan Saunders tenacity that it’s risen, phoenix-like, from
that front garden in Knutsford to its former motor show glory.
If you know anything at all about the Daimler’s wilderness years between 1957 and 1963,
the information would set the happy seal on Duncan’s superb workmanship.
_________________________________________________________________________
23
Hitting the Road ...
Daimler Events Diary
Auckland
December 13th
At 1:00pm Christmas Lunch at “The Falls” Henderson.
By unanimous acclaim a really great place for celebration. Must respond before end of
November http://www.thefalls.co.nz/html/Restaurant.html.
Email: [email protected] or ring 0942 63411
January/February 2010
Visit to the Gannet Colony and bring a picnic lunch.
Meet at the Albany Pub car park at 10:00 am.
Email or Ring 6305172
February 7th 2010
Galaxy of Cars, an ever-increasing popular classic car display, proceeds to charity.
This means we need our members to display their Daimlers and support this event.
Email or Ring 6305172 ASP to give me an indication as to who is coming.
February 14th 2010
Elerslie Concours, the premier Classic Car event of the year.
An opportunity to raise the public profile of Marque and earn your Club a share of the
gate takings. There is lots to do and plenty to see at this Show and if you bring your car
it is free entry for the driver.
Email or Ring 6305172 ASP to give me an indication as to who is coming.
March
Visit Twin Lakes Garden
The Club will provide lunch and entry costs, preceded by the Branch AGM. Meet at the
Albany Pub car park at 9:30 am.
April
Motoring Event in Coatesville or Puhoi areas, with a picnic in a Garden of an historical
home.
Technical Evening on removal of Stone chips.
May 8th 2010
DLOC AGM & Mini Rally Hawke’s Bay.
Auckland Branch will give a $20 petrol voucher to every Auckland Branch driver of a
Daimler arriving at the Rally.
24
June 6th
West Winds Theatre, an evening out at a Boutique Minnie Theatre situated in a Historic
Village.
A movie and a roast dinner at an affordable price.
June 20th
Mid Winter Dinner at the “Old Flame Restaurant” Conifer Grove.
________________________________________________________________________
Waikato–Bay of Plenty
December 19th
Driving Creek Railway. Meet at Thames Airport at 10am and then drive up in convoy.
www.drivingcreekrailway.co.nz
January 17th 2010
Hamilton Gardens. Packed lunch, meet at gardens at 10am.
www.hamiltongardens.co.nz
February 21st 2010
Redwood Forest Rotorua. Meet at Skyline Skyrides, 185 Faity Springs Road, Rotorua at
10am. www.skylineskyrides.co.nz
March 21st 2010
Branch AGM at Classic Flyers, Tauranga. All details to be confirmed but trying for a DC3
flight in the morning, then AGM followed by lunch in the café.
www.classicflyersnz.com
April 8th 2010
The Caterpillar Museum, meet at 10am at the New Zealand Caterpillar Experience, 171
Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua. www.caterpillarexperience.co.nz
May 16th 2010
National AGM Mini Rally. Will try and arrange a trip to Beecham Jaguar.
www.beacham-jaguar.co.nz
June 20th 2010
Waitomo Caves. www.waitomo.org.nz
July 18th 2010
10 pin bowling.
August 22nd 2010
Spookers, 833 Kingseat road Karaka, Auckland.
September 19th 2010
Windsong Miniature Horses
25
October 17th 2010
Tirau-Okoroairegolf.
November 21st 2010
Karangahake Gorge.
________________________________________________________________________
Hawke’s Bay
Sunday 6th December – 4.30pm
DLOC End of Year Social Function.
To be held at Vaughn Cooper’s 4 Aintree Road, Havelock North. This BBQ will follow the
usual format with the club supplying the meat and members bringing drinks and salads
to share. Numbers will be required by phone or email during the preceding week.
Sunday 13th December
Combined Christmas Function at Kia Toa Bowling Club Rooms.
Details to be advised.
Sunday 7th March
Branch AGM. Venue to be decided.
Sunday 14th March
Wheels on Windsor
Saturday 8th May
National AGM and Mini Rally to be held in Hawke’s Bay.
________________________________________________________________________
Manawatu
Sunday December 13th
President’s BBQ at 346 State Highway 57, 3½ Km’s North of Himatangi corner (almost
opposite Kellow Road intersection). Meet from about 11.30am.
Please bring a gift for your own gender (max value $5.00) and salad or dessert, crockery,
cutlery, chair, sunnies, hat etc. We have a BIG shed and marquee for shelter from
(hopefully) bright sunshine, or whatever we get on the day. Branch will provide BBQ’d
meat, red and white wine, orange juice. This is a relaxed day, time to enjoy the fellowship
of our members before Christmas.
Sunday January 17th
A leisurely drive up to Vinegar Hill (Cheltenham/Rewa/Hunterville Road) for a picnic,
meet at 10.30am at Feilding Railway station.
Sunday February 7th
Dannievirke Wheels with Attitude
Sunday February 14th
Wellington British Car Day.
26
Brian Rankine Car collection. Postponed but still on the agenda for a later date.
March 13th–14th
Weekend at Hawera and/or Wanganui Rotary Car Show on Sunday.
March/April
Manawatu AGM
April
To be advised
May 8th–9th
National Mini Rally & AGM, see Hawkes Bay notice.
May 2011
NATIONAL RALLY, BLENHEIM.
________________________________________________________________________
Club Badges for Sale
These may be ordered through the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Club
Costs of the badges are:
$17.50 Unresined
$19.00 Resined
Information required is the names to go on the badge together with your branch.
Payment is required at the time of order.
All enquiries and orders to:
Paul Edginton
35 Uretara Drive
Katikati
Ph: (07) 549-4569
27
Members’ Market ...
Wanted
Wanted to buy by an Australian colleague, Denis Deasey. His request is as follows.
“I am looking for a Barker Special Sport and am hoping you know of a car for sale. I am
looking for the best car possible, but all complete and sound cars would be considered.
I know these cars are a bit thin on the ground, but it never hurts to ask!”
Contact Denis by phone 61 3 9866 6550 or email [email protected]
Girling/Dunlop/Lockheed brake bleeder tin and a couple of tyre levers for toolkit.
Contact Mark Stocker, 03 4760430 or [email protected]
Consort or Conquest type oil gun. Also does anyone know of anyone who does FM
conversions to original V8 radios. If you can help please contact Mark Bearman, mark@
mxretreads.com.au
Conquest oil cap and fuel tank sender. Contact Peter McClean pandjmcclean@xtra.
co.nz
FOR SALE
Daimler V8 tool kit comlete with following contents. 3 open end spanners (2 stamped
Daimler and 1 stamped Jaguar), Tyre gauge, Ratchet spanner, Grease gun, Pliers, Tin
containing Girling bleed tube, Spark plug + spanner, Set of feeler gauges, Screwdriver
(stamped Daimler), with 2 interchangeable heads.
Phone David Watt on 09 426 3411 or email [email protected] $100 ono inc courier.
Daimler V8 1964. 129000 miles, wire wheels, Catswold Blue, current WOF and
registration. $9000 o.n.o.
Contact Murray Burt in Katikati, phone 07 5495607
Daimler Jackets (same as Manawatu 2005 Rally) and Caps, contact Bert Empson on 06
3680696 or [email protected]
28
DAIMLER & LANCHESTER OWNERS’ CLUB BRANCH DIRECTORY
AUCKLAND BRANCH
President
Vice President
Club Captain
Sec/Treasurer
Committee
National Delegate
Branch Patron
Bryan Davis, 28 Shackleton Rd, Mt Eden
Neil Kruse, 12 Budgen St, Mt Roskill
Harry Tomlin, 23 Tramway Rd, Birkdale
David Watt, 171 Postmans Road, RD4 Albany
Ed Hayhoe (Past President), Olive Smith, Glenys Watt,
John & Val Penman, Laurie Mckernan
Ed Hayhoe, E-mail: [email protected]
Neil Kruse
09 630 5172
09 620 5000
09 483 6616
09 426 3411
09 420 6390
WAIKATO/BAY OF PLENTY BRANCH
President
Des Cooper, 47 Matavai St, Mt Maunganui 3116
07 572 3249
Sec/Treasurer
Paul Edginton, 35 Uretara Drive, Katikati 3129
07 549 4569
Club Captain
David Dobbs, 300 Paroa Rd, Poroporo, RD 2, Whakatane 3192 0274 485 488
Committee
Bruce & Zoe Henderson, Roger & Jane Hennebry,
Colin & Maureen King
National Delegate
Paul Edginton, E-mail: [email protected]
HAWKE’S BAY BRANCH
President
Vaughan Cooper, 4 Aintree Road, Havelock North
Sec/Treasurer
Ann Bowes, PO Box 1074, Napier
Club Captain
Mike Boyce, 12 Corwen Place, Hastings
Committee
Robyn Boyce, Colin Campbell, Graeme Bowes,
Peter Mackie
National Delegate
Peter Mackie, E-mail: [email protected]
Branch Patron
Reg Kilbey
06 877 5698
06 835 8469
06 878 9071
06 877 4766
MANAWATU BRANCH
President
Vice President
Sec/Treasurer
Club Caption
Committee
National Delegate
Branch Patron
Mike King, 21 Millar Street, Palmerston North 4410
Pauline Goodliffe, 194 Green Road, Awahuri, PN
Bert Empson, 8 Byrd Street, Levin 5510
Ngaire Finkle, 755 Napier Road, RD 10, PN 4470
Ray Watling, Brian Wolfsbauer, Charlie Coley,
Keith Zillwood, Reinhardt Bester, Ngaire Finkle
Mike King, E-mail: [email protected]
Pauline Goodliffe
06 357 1237
06 323 7081
06 368 0696
06 357 9263
OTAGO BRANCH
President
Sec/Treasurer
Club Captain
Committee
National Delegate
Alex Meikle, 221 Somerville St, Anderson Bay, Dunedin
Kaye Wingfield, 7 Pioneer Cres, Helensburgh, Dunedin
Kevin Phillips, 66A Factory Road, Mosgeil, Otago
Winston Wingfield
Winston Wingfield, E-mail: [email protected]
03 454 4786
03 476 2323
03 489 5782
06 357 1237

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