1946' Daimler Db 18 Ex-King George Vi

For sale by auction on Saturday 20th May 2017 with Historics at the Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, Berkshire.

Registration South African registered
Chassis Number DB1850149
Engine Number 28564
Odometer reading 1,932 miles
Estimate No Reserve

The Daimler DB18 started out in 1939 as a six-cylinder chassis on which Daimler, and various other British coach builders, offered a range of bodies. The car used a 2,522cc, six-cylinder engine fed by a single SU carburettor. Throughout its life, 70bhp was claimed, although later, a change in the gearing to coincide with the introduction of the Consort in 1950 and marking an increase in maximum speed from 76mph to 82mph. By the standards of the time, this was brisker than it looked. The independent front suspension used coil springs while the back axle was suspended using a traditional semi-elliptical set-up.

The Royal tour to South Africa in 1946 was significant in many ways, primarily though as it was the first blown Royal Tour since the war and the first to South Africa for over 20 years. It arrived in Cape Town on HMS Vanguard, one of His Majesties battleships on 17th February, 1946. After taking the salute of the Royal Naval Guard of Honour and presiding over the state opening of parliament, the usual round of official duties throughout the different states took place.

The official car for the visit by the King was undertaken by this very Daimler and remained in South Africa for most of its life before being sold at a UK auction in 2009; it has subsequently been in storage for the last eight years. As such, the car requires recommissioning to get it back on the road and to bring it back to its former glory. Offered at no reserve and supplied with South African registration documents, import duties of 5% will be payable upon the hammer price. A unique car with an interesting history from a period and a country that has changed immeasurably over the years.