Daimler 2½ litre V-8 “Cresta” prototype DN250

 

history of the project part 5

the last lap, putting the car together – March to August 2011

 

 

23 March 2011

Now veneered – see next box.  The glove pocket hinges and fastener are Rolls Royce.  Instruments by Speedy Cables as advertised in the classic car press.  Air intakes from the BMW Mini: outer two fresh air and inner two heater and, if and when fitted, air conditioning.  Period radio with modern innards by Vintage Radio of Manchester (or someone like that, whose website is almost impossible to find).

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/110323 dashboard.jpg

 

6 April 2011

The dashboard and door capping veneered in walnut with cross banding, which is a higher standard than I expected, were made by Mr AJ Hickman of Lichfield.  You could not want better quality work. 

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/110406 rear door capping.jpg

 

22 July 2011

Almost done.  There is a risk that the car will suddenly change from a safely far away project to a road going reality.  Soon it will be next time for its DVLA examination, Mot and licensing.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/110722 interior.jpg

 

22 July 2011

This and the following pictures were sent to me with the question: Where do you want the number plate?  Probably with its top about half way down the bumper bars in an attempt not to wholly conceal the bottom of the radiator shell.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/110722 front.jpg

 

22 July 2011

Don’t the door (but actually scuttle mounted) mirrors look enormous. hardly period but practical. There were just about the smallest all-way remotely adjustable ones that I could find.

But on further thoughts, what about the nose job at the end my page with the pictures of the prototype?  Or the Stutz Bearcat?  The radiator shell is projecting way beyond the bumpers.  The Daimler people too much have see this:  look at the width of the apron bridging the body to bumper gap on the photo of the prototype as seen from above.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/110722 three quarters front.jpg

 

27 July 2011

The same applied to the Century New DHC.  The photo, of Dotty, shows a similar wide skirt and how the bottom of the radiator shell is kept in view although behind the bumper bar.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/110727 Dotty front apron.jpg

 

27 July 2011

Stage 1 of remodelling the nose job was to experiment with threaded extensions to the bumper bracket to find the right gap.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/110727 extending the bumper bracket close.jpg

 

27 July 2011

And this view shows that it is now spot on.

In passing the instruments by Speedy Cables have failed to live up to their image in their 23rd of March 2011 photo.  When the engine was first started and the electrics tested, none of the instruments in the four-part dial worked at all and the rev counter was erratic:  oil pressure nil, voltage nil etc.  An auto-electrician was called in and could find no wiring fault, so, alas, the defective instruments have been returned to Speedy.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/110727 extending the bumper bracket distant.jpg

 

3 August 2011

Stage 2.  This is even more spot on.  New metal welded in on either side and a new tray/lower apron, like Dotty’s with a flange onto which to bolt the number plate.  I’ve ordered a badge bar to go above which will balance the front elevation.  Why don’t Italian car designers know that cars must have front number plates and design somewhere for them to go?

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/110803 front number plate.jpg

 

23 August 2011

Here we are, Black Hole and Rattletrap, at the DVLA Shrewsbury for an inspection.  I had my first drive in it, to back it off the trailer, because the DVLA’s H&S rules do not allow its staff to examine vehicles on a trailer – even to read the number plate and the chassis plate, which you can see under an open bonnet when you stand on the ground at the side of the trailer.  I also drove it forward back onto the trailer, but the same H&S rules would not allow anyone to watch me, so I had to guess that my wheels were on and not about to fall off the ramp.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/110823_DVLA_Shrewsbury.jpg

 

23 August 2011

While we are at it, a peep of the interior.

http://www.daimler-dn250.net/110823_interior.jpg

 

2007

Here is a reminder of the original style.

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

 

to return to the project contents list

click here

 

to return to my home page

click here