What a classy car! Robert R. sent in this 1953 Daimler Conquest that’s located in Jeffersonton, Virginia and is up for auction here on eBay. The buy-it-now is set at $5,524 and lower bids are being entertained. Honestly, that doesn’t seem like a lot of money for a survivor car like this, without rust or serious damage and running well. The seller describes driving down the highway at 70+ mph. I’ve wanted to drive a car with this type of preselector gearbox for quite some time; I understand the fluid flywheel makes shifting quite unique.
As you can see from this picture, the interior is certainly weathered, and at this point there are no carpets on the floor. The seller mentioned that they haven’t owned the car for long, and I think I remember seeing it on eBay a while back (or one that was very similar). I think my first question would be why sell it on so soon? What would you be asking the seller (besides how does someone with full size legs fit in that back seat?)
I would research a reputable mechanic to do a PPI and ask the seller if he/she would take the car over for an inspection. All the pertinent information is already disclosed in the ad, but the inspection will give you all the answers you might need.
Looking at the questions & comments section the owner deflects questions by saying he has not owned the car very long. And he’s obviously not flipping it at this price so I’d really be wondering why he’s so urgently wanting to be rid of it.
One other thing in the question section is someone asks about if the seller has the old carpeting to be used as a pattern and he responds that not only does he have it but it’s “in great shape” If that’s so, why the frack wasn’t it reinstalled after restoring the floor?!??
There’s enough strange questions about this car I would not consider it unless if I could personally check it out and talk with the seller… o_0
Like the way that the British number plate is still on the car, along with a period Automobile Association badge.
I used to have a larger Daimler, the big 1947 DE36, with the wonderful straight eight, dual sidemount tires, and the pre-select gearbox. That gearbox was a delight to use, as soon as you had it in one gear, you could move the shift lever to the next gear, then on approaching the shift point, all you needed to do was tap the clutch pedal in & out quickly. My car was one of the 5 Royal tour cars for the 1947 South African tour by King George. It was a Hooper 7 passenger landaulet, with folding top over the rear seat.
Hi Bill,
Did you by any chance sell your car to an Australian enthusiast?
I own an All Weather Tourer and love the car, I hope you also enjoyed your time with the Daimler, they really are amazing vehicles!
Best wishes
Peter Grant
Sydney Australia