1951 Daimler DB18 Special Sports

Registration No: 522 CUO
Chassis No: 59147
MOT: Exempt

• One of only approximately 500 manufactured
• Coachwork by Barker & Co.
• Offered with a number of original road test articles and handbooks

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, 2522cc 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 coupé 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, only 500 or-so of these elegant and refined Special Sports Roadsters had been completed and around 250 are thought to exist today.

Due to records on file, it is understood that chassis 59147 was first delivered to Jersey in 1951 under registration number 'J 4400' and was then returned to the mainland in 1959 when it received the registration number '522 CUO' that it still bears to this day. Later on, the Daimler was exported at to France, and the previous long term owner purchased it when repatriated in 2012. The drop-top is said to have been in rather a bad state when the previous owner acquired it, so he set about correcting many of the issues both mechanically and cosmetically. In his period of ownership, he collected many of the original tools for the car and refitted as many original specification parts as possible. It was during this period that a new fully lined mohair hood and hood bag were also fitted at great expense. Having acquired the car through H&H during 2023, the vendor has performed several maintenance tasks including a thorough service, and now states that the car is 'in good shape and running well'. To our eyes, the interior trim and paintwork have both matured excellently now displaying a pleasant patina indeed.

Due to be driven to sale from Ireland, the vendor is extremely confident of this luxurious DB18's abilities and is sure that any prospective purchaser would be very pleased with it.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430