Daimler 2½ litre V-8 “Cresta” prototype DN250

 

history of the project part 1

the eBay auction and transporting and starting to look at the wreck – 13 March 2007 to 19 May 2007

 

13 March 2007

Pictures on eBay immediately after my bid, about 2 min 56 seconds before the auction end time.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/0001%20ebay.jpg

 

 

LSL 929

 

1/4 of many pictures supplied by the seller.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/before_-_side.jpg

 

LSL 929

 

2/4 of many pictures supplied by the seller.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/before_-_front_quarter.jpg

 

LSL 929

 

3/4 of many pictures supplied by the seller.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/before_-_rear.jpg

 

LSL 929

 

4/4 of many pictures supplied by the seller.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/before_-_front_interior.jpg

 

12 April 2007

 

Ready for loading at Morris & Sons (Dunsford) – edged tools, billhooks etc.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/before_ready_for_loading.jpg

 

12 April 2007

 

On its way to Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/before_on_its_way.jpg

 

WT Bell (Burslem) Ltd

 

To be the “home” of LSL 929 for the next few months or year(s).

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/wt_bell_01.jpg

 

EOG 1 (“Dotty”)

 

My Daimler New Conquest Drophead Coupé DJ254 on 31 January 2007, having suffered its bonnet flying open at 60 mph and smashing its windscreen, which saved my head from worse than a slight bump.  I finished my business trip with the bonnet strapped down.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/dotty_damaged.jpg

 

Dotty at WT Bells

 

The repair work on Dotty, as well as years of work on it and my Daimler Empress, are why LSL 929 is there rather than elsewhere for conversion into a replica of the Daimler 1959 prototype.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/dotty-being-mended.jpg

 

Daimler Empress II (“the Dowager”)

 

My other Daimler from 1985, which for a while was my family car in succession to the Daimler (ex Lanchester) Dauphin.  Hooper made some of the best looking cars of the 40s and 50s, but, with a ash framed coach built body and about 55 bhp/ton, it is less practical than it used to be for regular use.  Now, if this project succeeds, the Dowager will be replaced by the still to be named (with a D) Cresta.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/Empress%20from%20front%203-4.jpg

 

8 May 2007

Mistake number one.   I missed an appointment.

I arranged with Michael Riley of Monyash to meet him at the bodyshop and discuss the specialist bodywork needed on the job, mainly the bonnet lid, the C-pillar and the rear wings.  Years ago he had worked on the Dowager at Scott-Moncrieff.   Happily he accepted my apologies and will take on the job, but such is his order book, he cannot start for about 12 months.  Probably about right.

 

9 May 2007

 

In WT Bell’s bodyshop, awaiting stripping to the bare metal.  A former office room had been allocated to store all the parts for what will be a long haul.  When fully stripped, the shell will be shot blasted to get down to clean metal, all damage will be repaired and then it will be cold galvanised.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/070509%20whole%20from%20front.jpg

 

9 May 2007

 

Plenty of room for the Daimler V8, I hope.  It is said to have housed a Rover 3 ½ V8 in its relatively recent life.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/070509%20engine%20bay.jpg

 

9 May 2007

 

How will an interior like this ever look like a Daimler?  More mundane, how will anyone get in and out with A-pillars like this.  Perhaps I should have thought about this first!

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/070509%20interior%20front.jpg

 

9 May 2007

 

Rear suspension.  The springs are bound to need replacing after 50 years.  GME Springs, prominent in a Google search, did not reply to my email enquiry.  The prompt reply by Eaton Springs of Michigan, Detroit to my email showed that the writer had visited this site and asked technical questions about the present springs.  Guess who will get the order.  www.eatonsprings.com

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/070509%20rear%20spring.jpg

 

9 May 2007

 

Front suspension.  As above.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/070509%20front%20spring.jpg

 

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