Highlights

The only known example of a Salmons Tickford cabriolet with a saloon interior on the big Daimler Chassis
Accompanied by a file of information from the original owner onwards, including records of the 1938 restoration
Owned and judiciously maintained by a Daimler enthusiast since 2002
Features in Brian Smith's book on Daimler Straight 8s

The Appeal

A match in almost every respect for a Rolls-Royce Phantom 2, this Daimler V26 Straight 8 was an exceedingly expensive car in its day, aimed at an aristocratic customer base including the British Royal Family. As a Salmons Tickford cabriolet with a saloon interior aimed at the "owner-driver", it's understood to be quite unique; certainly the only known example today and likely the only one of its kind ever built.

The vendor is a Daimler enthusiast and clearly an expert of some repute. They provide this excellent account of this car's fascinating history:

"From 1934 to the early 1950s, Daimler manufactured various straight 8 models. This one is the first of them and is called the “V26”. It was introduced as part of Daimler’s move away from sleeve valve engines and was initially conceived as a middle sized car, a replacement for the earlier 25HP models. However the wheelbase is 11ft 10 1/2 inches and the car rapidly developed into the effective large Daimler for the 1930s, partnered by a smaller “Light Straight 8” for owner drivers.

While early examples had a capacity of just under 4.0 litres, this was later increased to 4.5 litres. I think it is likely that this engine was bored out to that larger size when the whole car was restored by Daimler in 1938. I have a large file of papers, including from the original owner, showing this restoration. This car features over a few pages in Brian Smith's recent book on the Daimler St 8s.

The vast bulk of these costly cars (all with coach-built bodies) were limousines for royal and other ceremonial use, Daimlers remaining the royal car until the 1950s. However, this example is the only known remaining example (perhaps the only example ever) of a Salmons Tickford cabriolet with a saloon-type interior.

The first owner was a director of Shell who spared no costs on maintenance including the full overhaul by Daimlers in 1938, since when the car has had no great amount of use. Its first owner used it until WW2 but laid it up following the restoration. It did not go out on the road again until the 1970s following which it spent time on the Haddington estates and then with one other private owner before me."

The vendor has since carried out their own maintenance, remarking that the car hasn't required a great deal of work during their tenure. The Daimler is exercised regularly on short distance journeys, collecting friends from the airport and taking them on trips, sitting at the local speed limit of 80kph.

If you're a fellow Daimler enthusiast or simply appreciate a top-quality pre-war motor car, this V26 Straight 8 Salmons Tickford cabriolet surely fits the bill.

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The History and Paperwork

Registered in 1934
First owner was a director of Shell, who maintained it meticulously
Restoration records from 1938 included in a large file
The car was laid up after the 1938 restoration and not used until the 1970s
Spent time on the Haddington estates and with one other private owner before the current owner
Featured in Brian Smith's book on Daimler Straight 8s
Owned by the current owner since 2002
Day-to-day maintenance and servicing done by the owner
The vendor adds: "Please note that this is the ONLY known example of a Salmons Tickford cabriolet with a saloon interior (ie. no occasional seats) on this big Daimler Chassis. There is another with a limousine interior and there are probably some Tickfords on the smaller Daimlers of the period"

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The Condition

Bodywork thoroughly restored, retimbered, and repainted three years ago; the chassis was also checked and cleaned
Centre-lock wheel nuts replated
Rear quarter bumpers replated
Elsewhere, we're informed that the chromework is mainly original
Tyres are recent and appear in good order
Paintwork has a few small chips and a cracked area due to a blow in the wing; this is not at first sight noticeable and the wing is undamaged
Saloon interior (no occasional seats) is original and presents well, suitable as-is for private use or would be suitable for wedding hire with minimal preparation
Stitching undone on the front of the rear seat cushion, split on the corner of the front passenger seat; the vendor had it all re-coloured when the car was painted
Steering wheel needs re-covering with celluloid
New hood (with headlining) and carpets made
The vendor notes that the new hood works well and they have the original winding handle
Upholstery cleaned and re-coloured
Woodwork is solid (not veneered) and presents very well
The Auster rear passenger screen and fittings all in good order and usable
There is a small boot but also arms below which can be swung out to support a trunk

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The Mechanics

4.5-litre straight-eight petrol engine; original engine of 4.0-litres, likely bored out during 1938 restoration
The dual carburettor was originally fitted with an automatic choke; removed some years ago and fitted with a manual choke which is seldom needed
Pre-select four-speed transmission with a fluid flywheel
Powerful car capable of 75 mph when new, currently cruised at 70-80 kph by the vendor
We're informed that the engine starts readily and runs smoothly once warmed up
Manual advance/retard and hand throttle at the centre of the steering wheel
Gearbox reportedly functions well; underslung worm back axle is silent
Mechanical brakes with Clayton Dewandre vacuum servo assistance
Dual carburettor is original, now with a manual choke
Dynamo charges, but the regulator does not work
Points need careful setting for maximum smoothness - a feature of the model
Like other examples of this model, if the radiator is over-filled the consequent activation of the overflow drain can cause a syphon effect leading to the engine boiling; the simple solution is to ensure that the water level is not too high
Well-suited for town and mountain roads; once on the move it rarely needs to move out of top gear with the flexibility provided by the fluid flywheel
Springing is fairly soft with semi-elliptic springs all around
Dampers adjustable by a hand wheel adjacent to the driver's seat
The chassis was originally fitted with a steering damper (which the vendor still has), but that has been removed as the damper seized

The vendor summarises:

"I have all my life been a Daimler and Armstrong Siddeley fan - though I have owned the occasional Rolls. The Daimler gives you a massive, imposing car matching (or in my view in many details exceeding) RR standards.

The wheel locking arrangements for example are far simpler and more effective than the RR equivalent while for the block and crank case to be one iron casting gives an immensely rigid structure for this very long engine. - 10 main bearings!

This owner driver car is a match in every respect for a Phantom 2 except for the engine size. When new, Daimlers of this period were extremely expensive and the normal car for the Royal Family and aristocracy. In today's market, you get huge value for your money with mechanics and bodywork fully equal to RR.

I have used it as a normal short/middle distance car and very much for collecting friends from the airport and taking them on trips. The French locals here love it (they want to stroke it and peer into it) and since the main road speed limit is 80kph it does not often hold them up!

I bought it because I fell in love. You should do the same. If it were a Rolls with this body you would probably have to pay in excess of £100,000 - so as a Daimler it is a bargain!"

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