Lot Ended
Description
In single family ownership from 1966 - 2025; body-off restoration in
the late-1980s and only 8,000 miles since; former show-winner in super
condition
Launched in 1953
to replace the Consort, the Daimler Conquest was essentially an upmarket version
of the Lanchester 14 fitted with a super-smooth six-cylinder, single carb
2,433cc engine that produced some 75bhp.
The large cruciform chassis had double wishbone front suspension with
laminated torsion bars, telescopic dampers and anti-roll bar, while the rear
suspension used leaf springs with telescopic dampers. Automatic chassis
lubrication to 21 points, using a pump controlled by exhaust heat, was a clever
feature. Drive was via Daimler’s traditional four-speed Wilson pre-selector
gearbox with fluid flywheel.
It came in three body styles, saloon,
roadster or drophead coupe, all with luxurious wood and leather interiors. In
1954 the engine was uprated to Century spec with a big-valve alloy head, higher
compression, high-lift cam and twin carbs which raised the output to a useful
100bhp with a top speed nudging 100mph. Largely hand-built and always an
expensive car, just 4,568 Conquest saloons and a further 4,818 Century versions
were sold before production came to an end in 1958.
Supplied new by HR
Owen of London in June 1954, this Daimler Conquest was first owned by the
Managing Director of The NIG Manufacturing Company of Dane Street, London WC1
and originally had the registration number OYR 3.
In 1955 it passed to
another NIG Director, Mr Andrew Wards Tait of Walton-on-Thames, who was
chauffeur-driven in the car for the next dozen years, as related in a letter on
file. In 1966 it was acquired by a relative of the previous owner who kept it
garaged in London but barely drove it.
In 1985 it was inherited by
another relative in the same family, at which point it had been laying dormant
for 12 years. A professional agricultural engineer with a
well-equipped workshop, he was renowned among the Norfolk farming community
as 'the man who could fix anything’.
He set about returning the
family Conquest to its former glory and although there are no invoices to
show exactly what was done, there are dozens of photos on file showing that it
was a major body-off restoration with no corners cut, a few of which are
reproduced here.
Back on the road in April 1986, we are told that it was
the owner’s pride and joy and was used on special occasions only, including a
couple of family holidays on the Continent during which it always behaved
impeccably. We are told that it also attended various DLOC events and rallies
and won various trophies and rosettes although these have sadly gone astray
(we do have photos of a couple of them). No fewer than 26 old MOTs show that it
was tested every year until 2015, covering some 8,000 miles over this period and
being carefully maintained by the owner.
Over the last few
years it has been used much less frequently but we are told that the last owner
continued to maintain it and take it for short local runs well into his
nineties, the family finally selling the car via Brightwells in the summer of
last year.
Our vendor acquired the Conquest
at that auction but has barely used it since. Although it is MOT-exempt, it has
an MOT until 13th May 2026 with just a couple of advisories (minor
exhaust leak; front brakes imbalanced).
As you can see in the photos, the
restoration has held up extremely well and this Conquest still looks mighty fine
some 40 years later, with a really lovely paint finish. It has been starting
promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site. The driver's door
arm rest is currently not fitted but is included with the car along with sundry
spare parts in the boot.
On offer here at a modest guide price, this
well-historied and well-restored Daimler is now in search of an enthusiastic new
owner who can continue to preserve her for future generations to
enjoy.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907
– james.dennison@brightwells.com