The oldest Daimler on the road comes to Bonhams’ New Bond Street showroom next month in the auction house’s Golden Age of Motoring Sale.
The 1897 Daimler Twin-Cylinder 4HP Tonneau was the second car manufactured at Daimler’s Coventry factory. Although it was demonstrated to the then Prince of Wales, who became Edward VIII, the Daimler’s first owner was Colonel Arthur Mulliner of the well-known coachbuilding family. His cousin Henry (H.J.) was famous for creating bespoke bodies for Rolls-Royce and Bentley and, together, the cousins took part in the inaugural run of The Automobile Club of Great Britain in London’s Pall Mall.
Now the oldest Daimler on the road, this car is a veteran of more than 50 London to Brighton Runs, making its debut in the 1897 Commemoration Run which followed the Emancipation Run – for which the speed limit was lifted from 4mph to 14mph.
The car is clothed in a bespoke Mulliner Tonneau body, believed to have been added after the car had been returned to the factory c.1900 for updating, and is offered for sale from 72 years of single-family ownership. It was acquired by the vendor’s father in 1952 who oversaw its total restoration. It has an estimate of £225,000-275,000.
Other highlights include:
1898 Peugeot Type 15 8HP Twin-Cylinder Double Phaeton, estimate £275,000-325,000. Advanced for its days, the Peugeot offered 4-speed plus reverse transmission, plus an early form of cruise control. This car had a nut-and-bolt restoration by specialist Smallbone and Sons in the 1990s, taking part in the 100th anniversary Veteran Car Run upon completion. It has completed the journey from London to Brighton several times since.
1917 Lancia Theta Sports Tourer, estimate £120,000-160,000. One of only 19 believed survivors of the model and was originally imported as a rolling chassis by the UK’s Ministry of War, which used many such vehicles to mount anti-aircraft guns or mobile searchlights. The Theta is now offered from nearly 50 years’ ownership of a Lancia connoisseur who restored it to factory specification in the 1990s.
1907 Stanley EX steam-powered motor car, estimate £85,000-100,000. Produced by the American Stanley twins, the eponymous motor cars were considered the premier ‘steamers’ to own, with their reputation for performance, high-tech design and engineering prowess. This example was in previous family ownership of 87 years, passing through three generations and was the subject of a major restoration in the 1990s.
1903 Humber Olympia Tandem Forecar, estimate £30,000-35,000. One of the earliest surviving Humbers, produced by a former bicycle manufacturer and restored in 2000. This tandem is eligible for the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, as well as prestigious motorcycle events: the Sunbeam MCC’s Pioneer Run from Epsom to Brighton and the VMCC’s Banbury Run.
Bonhams: The Golden Age of Motoring sale takes place in London on 4 November 2022.
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Image: ex-Colonel Arthur Mulliner 1897 Daimler 4hp Twin-Cylinder Tonneau, Courtesy of Bonhams