1939 Daimler DE27 Limousine

Description

Intriguing Barker-bodied DE27 reputedly supplied new to the Admiralty when Winston Churchill was First Lord; used post-war by the Iranian Embassy in London and later by the Fine Gael Party in Ireland; one of only 205 made

The traditional Daimler characteristics of unmatched smoothness of take-off and silent running had long endeared the marque to the chauffeur-driven classes. Indeed, throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the company's stately machines were preferred by the Royal Family to those of rivals Rolls-Royce.

Post-WW2, the straight-eight continued as Daimler's top-of-the-range DE36 model alongside the not-quite-so-big but equally imposing DE27. The latter was powered by a 4.1-litre OHV straight-six and, like the straight-eight, featured a detachable cylinder head, pre-selector gearbox, coil spring independent front suspension and Girling hydro-mechanical brakes. Most were bodied by Hooper or Barker in the limousine style, around 205 being sold before production came to an end in 1951, of which only 73 are known to survive worldwide.

This particular DE27 Limousine is most intriguing because it was first registered in December 1939, according to the V5C, whereas the DE27 did not officially enter production until 1941. Unfortunately, the Daimler factory records were destroyed in the Blitz and they did not use a sequential chassis numbering system so build dates are hard to pin down, but documents on file speculate that it may have been a prototype car.

Interestingly, the V5C states the cylinder capacity as 5,400cc which might be just a clerical error or might indicate that it was previously fitted with a straight-eight engine, as was used on the larger DE36, although the engine currently in the car is a six-cylinder unit.  

An unsigned letter on file dated 1987 states that this Barker-bodied car (chassis no. 51291) was delivered new to the Admiralty in July 1939 and references a photo of the car with a Naval RN registration number and fitted with headlight covers and white perimeter lines, as required by the Blackout regulations (the photo itself is not present).

Winston Churchill was First Lord of the Admiralty at the time and remained in that post until he became Prime Minister in May 1940, leading to speculation that he would have been chauffeured around in this very car.

In 1947 it was acquired by the Iranian Embassy in London when it was registered as LLT 442. It was later used by the Fine Gael Party in Ireland, subsequently being used as a wedding car before entering the collection of Fine Gael Deputy Leader, James Reilly, of Loughton House in Co Offaly.

It was then acquired by a Solihull Councillor, James Ryan, when the contents of Loughton House and the car collection were sold at auction by Sheppards of Co Laois in September 2016. The catalogue description stated that it was “reputedly used by Winston Churchill”.

The car subsequently appeared at another auction in England with an estimate of £15k - £20k, the catalogue description recounting the history of the car in some detail and stating: “With in excess of £20,000 invested in mechanical works, including internals, suspension and much more, the car now requires external body restoration”.

Although there are no invoices to support this claim, there are a few invoices from the early 1990s to show that it did receive some work at this time, including what appears to be rechroming of the brightwork. There is also an old MOT issued in August 2003 when the mileage was stated as 58,000, the odometer currently showing 69,517 miles (in rather wonky fashion).

Our vendor acquired the car a few months ago and reports that it runs and drives but has not been used on the road. It has certainly been starting easily and running somewhat noisily as we have moved it around on site (the exhaust is blowing), with 40psi oil pressure. As you can see in the photos, it has a very smart and capacious interior but the bodywork could do with attention here and there.

While the Churchill connection and prototype status are only speculation, this intriguing Daimler would merit further investigation. Gamely on offer at no reserve, the best bid takes it home. If only cars could talk…

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email [email protected]