1957 Daimler Conquest Century

Lot details
Registration No: 145 YUL
Chassis No: 97715
Mot Expiry: Aug 2012

A replacement for the now outmoded Consort, the Conquest first saw the light of day in the Spring of 1953. The newcomer's chassis and running gear were direct developments of those underpinning the Lanchester 14, and included a cruciform chassis suspended by double wishbones and laminated torsion bars at the front, and conventional leaf springs at the rear. Braking was by Girling hydro/mechanical drums and steering by cam and peg. Power came from a straight-six engine of 2433cc that produced some 75bhp. From 1954, a more potent version of the car known as the Conquest Century became available. Courtesy of a big-valve alloy cylinder head, twin SU carburetters, higher compression and high-lift camshaft, Daimler managed to hike the output to 100bhp - sufficient to accelerate the 3,117 lb car to 60mph in 16.3 seconds and on to a terminal speed of 90mph. This proved to be the most popular of the two Saloon variants, with 4,818 examples eventually made as opposed to 4,568 of the lesser powered car.

This 1957 Conquest Century sports Maroon bodywork and a similarly-coloured leather interior and has apparently at some stage been fitted with a correct Century 100bhp replacement engine and pre-selector gearbox. '145 YUL' comes complete with an MOT valid into August and currently displays an unwarranted 31,100 miles.