Daimler DN-250 The pictures on this page are of the replica of
Daimler’s last know prototype saloon car before, in 1960, the company was
bought by Jaguar. They were taken on
19 January 2012, the day when the car was first relicensed and I took it on the
road and in time for the 50th anniversary of Jaguar’s Daimler
V8-250. Roderick Ramage 21/01/12 photography
by Charlotte Tonkinson location
a car park for walkers on Cannock Chase |
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My thanks to – Ø Jules Bodycraft of Coven, near Wolverhampton for
the bodywork and rebuilding of the car, Ø WT Bell (Burslem) Ltd of Stoke-on-Trent for
rebuilding the engine, Ø John Nash of Christchurch for Daimler parts, Ø Errol Friend of Classic Vauxhall Parts, Ø many others, and Ø the DVLA for re-registering the car as Daimler
Replica, type DN 250, with the original registration number LSL 929 of the
Vauxhall Cresta donor car. |
The “SL” of
the registration number shows that the car was first registered in
Clackmannanshire. The number, 929, is
the highest prime under 1,000 which is also a palindrome.
excuses,
excuses
One
or two people have kindly posted comments on the car. I am flattered that it is noticed and explain
why some things are as they are. The car
is intended for everyday use year round.
One day I shall or shall have to retire (I learnt to drive in my
father’s Jowett Javelin, in case you are guessing when, and my sister in the
Daimler Century which was his next car), so it seemed sensible, while I am
still working and earing, to get a get a nice car that will see me out. So practicality matters, and seeing and being
seen. The thin vertical screen pillars
gives forward vision far better than any you get in modern saloon. The electrically adjustable wing (scuttle)
mirrors off a modern little Korean car give wonderful rear vision and are a
justifiable anachronism. I’ll be seen
easily from behind, thanks to (well spotted one viewer) modern London taxi rear lights.
I did buy 1950s circular lights to mount on a flat panel, but the taxi
ones are far more effective. Of course I
got rid of the vestigial fins shown in the Daimler works photographs: Daimlers
were restrained stuffy cars, not flashy glamour-wagons. Why didn’t you spot the TR7 air extractors on
the C pillars? If money were no object I
could have done as Daimler seemed to have done and made a new roof with a more
vertical rear screen, which would be closer to the original, but one must learn
to live with imperfections.
for more details of the project to
make this replica click here
If
you reached this site from my work website and really wish to get back, click here.
To
return to my home page click here
page
made and first posted on 22/01/12, excuses added 04/04/12