Daimler DE36

Daimler
Daimler DE36 Landaulette (Hooper or Barker)
DE36
Production period:	1946-1953
Class :	Upper class
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Otto engine : 5.5 liters
Length:
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase :	3734 mm
Empty weight :
successor	Daimler Regina

The Daimler DE36 is a luxury class vehicle from the British car manufacturer Daimler , which was produced in small numbers from 1946 to 1953. Because of its eight-cylinder in-line engine, it is also called the Daimler Straight Eight , based on a name that was customary in the pre-war period . It is the larger sister model of the Daimler DE27 equipped with a six-cylinder engine and was one of the largest and most expensive British cars in the immediate post-war period. Most DE36s were shipped with Hooper bodies ; however, some chassis were also given individual bodies from other body manufacturers . Many of them were used as state cars. The most famous special models based on DE36 include the Green Goddess convertibles and some examples of the so-called Docker Daimler .

History of origin

A fleet of Daimler Straight Eights in the royal fleet (1952)

The Daimler Motor Company, founded in 1896, was one of the most exclusive British automobile manufacturers in the first half of the 20th century. The Coventry company, which has been part of the Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) since 1910 , regularly supplied vehicles for the British royal family . After the end of the Second World War , during which Daimler mainly produced light armored vehicles, the company resumed civilian automobile production with a three-part model range. The DE36 was the top model, including the largely identical but shorter DE27, while the DB18 was the smallest and cheapest Daimler. With these vehicles, which were nominally new designs, but in many details were related to pre-war cars, Daimler tried from 1946 to build on the pre-war position. That only worked temporarily. On the one hand, Austin gradually took over the market leadership in the chauffeur-driven limousine segment with the Princess built by Vanden Plas . On the other hand, Daimler increasingly lost its reputation in the 1950s due to the extroverted behavior of Lady Norah Docker , the wife of BSA director Bernard Docker , so that the market shares continued to decline even compared to Bentley and Rolls-Royce .

The DE36 was the last Daimler and also the last freely available British car with an in-line eight-cylinder engine. While the DE27 was replaced by the Regency in 1951 , the large DE36 remained in the range until 1953. Its successor was the Regina / DK400 , which was technically an extended version of the Regency. It had an in-line six-cylinder engine.

Model description

Chassis and running gear

The chassis and running gear were designed by Daimler's chief engineer CM Simpson. Apart from the longer wheelbase (3734 mm instead of 3515 mm), the design features are the same as those of the DE27. Both cars have a separate steel frame. The side frame parts are connected to one another by cross-shaped struts. At the front, the DE36 has independent suspension with double wishbones and coil springs . A rigid axle with leaf springs is installed at the rear .

Engine and power transmission

The Daimler DE36 is powered by an eight-cylinder in-line engine. It is a two-cylinder version of the six-cylinder in-line engine used in the DE27, which Daimler had built for the light armored car Armored Car during the war . The bore and stroke of the six- and eight-cylinder engines match (each 85 × 120 mm); the displacement of the eight-cylinder engine in the DE36 is 5460 cm³. The engine block is made of gray cast iron . Each cylinder has an intake and an exhaust valve that are controlled by push rods. The mixture is prepared by two SU carburetors . The maximum power is 150 bhp (152 PS, 110 kW). The power transmission is taken over by Daimler's Fluid Flywheel pre - selection gear .

Bodies

The DE36 chassis could be equipped with different bodies. Standard bodies came from Barker or Hooper, Freestone & Webb and Windovers . In addition, Daimler also offered the DE36 as a ready-to-drive chassis without a body, on the basis of which some independent body manufacturers produced individual bodies on behalf of individual customers.

Hooper and Barker

Daimler DE36 with Hooper body

114 bodies were manufactured by the body manufacturer Hooper, which, like Daimler, belongs to the BSA Group and had already assumed the role of a works supplier in the interwar period. Some of them were under the Barker brand , which Hooper had acquired in 1938. Most of them were standardized limousine bodies, which were also supplied largely unchanged for the smaller DE-27 chassis. They were primarily intended for rental cars. Outwardly, Hooper's bodies for the DE36 differ from those for the DE27 in the position of the spare wheels: On the DE36, they are embedded in the front fenders on the sides of the vehicle, while Hooper's DE27 bodies have no externally attached spare wheels.

In contrast to these standard bodies, however, individual DE-36 chassis received individual bodies from Hooper. In part, they were based on the Hooper-Empress style, which was also implemented on various other chassis .

Freestone & Webb

Daimler DE36 Touring Limousine from Freestone & Webb

Six more DE-36 chassis were dressed as touring sedans by the London-based coachbuilder Freestone & Webb . The touring sedans have free-standing fenders and a cut-off rear section, which is referred to as razor-edged in English-speaking countries . They were available with or without a partition as required and could be prepared as a chauffeur car or for self-driving.

In addition, Freestone & Webb built two fixed head saloons with four doors, two side windows, long front fenders and a rounded notchback. The structure was 5700 mm long, 1900 mm wide and at 1550 mm, comparatively low compared to the other DE-36 models. The first example (chassis no. 51238) was commissioned by a Jamaican timber merchant. It was painted gray, had gilded decorations and an interior lined with light wood. The car was equipped with air conditioning. The car took two years to complete; It was delivered in the spring of 1949. Freestone & Webb built a second model with two-tone paintwork for the Earls Court Motor Show that took place in the fall of 1949. It had a beige body with dark brown fenders and a differently designed interior.

Windovers

Four-Light-Saloon by Windover, design no.136 (here on a DE-27 chassis)

The long-established London bodywork company Windovers designed two body variants that fit equally on DE27 and DE36 chassis. Windover built 50 bodies of both types together, ten of which were built on DE-36 chassis. All of Windover's superstructures are made of hand-molded sheet steel supported by an ash frame.

• The first Windover draft, which bears the internal designation No. 116, is a chauffeur limousine with a partition between the driver and passenger compartment and three windows on each side of the vehicle (in English: Six Light ). Both the front and rear doors are hinged at the back. In contrast to the superstructures from Hooper and Freestone & Webb, the trunk is designed separately. The original order was for 50 bodies, but actually only 30 were built between 1946 and 1949, five of which were mounted on the large DE36 chassis, while the rest was used for the DE27.

• The second design (No. 136) is a six-seat saloon without a partition that Windover built twenty times between May 1947 and May 1949. He also planned five bodies for the DE36 chassis. In contrast to the limousine no.116, the beltline at the rear of the vehicle drops slightly. In addition, the continuous C-pillar is missing. The windows of the rear doors meet directly with the rear side windows. This creates the impression of a large side window.

Further structures

There are also around a dozen individual bodies from different body manufacturers:

• Lancefield , a London-based coachbuilder , made two or three DE-36 sedans in 1948 with interiors that were adapted for disabled people and that looked "not particularly attractive".
• Charlesworth probably also supplied individual bodies for the DE36; these must have been some of the last work the company did before it closed in 1950.
• In 1952, Saoutchik in France built a four-door sedan with a high roof, large glass surfaces and lots of regalia in Art Deco style for the Saudi Arabian King Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud .

Related models: Green Goddess and Docker Daimlers

A number of special models were based on the chassis of the DE36, which Hooper provided with unusual bodies. The contemporary press gave the cars individual names that are still used today.

Green Goddess

DE36 "Green Goddess"

→ Main article : Daimler Green Goddess

It all started in 1948 with the two-door, five-seat convertible Green Goddess (German: Green Goddess), which was intended as an exhibit for the British International Motor Show . The 6 meter long Green Goddess anticipated the design concept of the Hooper Empress Line created by Osmond Rivers , which was produced in series in various versions in the Daimler Empress range from 1950 . Special stylistic features of the Green Goddess were the long front fenders, the lack of rear fenders and headlights that were mounted behind a cover made of transparent plastic (“Perspex”) . Green Goddess was used as a private vehicle for several years by BSA board member Bernard Docker and his wife Norah. Following the exhibit (chassis number 51223), Hooper built another five, seven or eight very similar vehicles, which sold for over £ 7,000 each. Four of them still exist in the 21st century. According to one source, at least two Rolls-Royce chassis were also fitted with a green-goddess body.

Docker Daimler

Second Docker Daimler: "Blue Clover" (1952)

→ Main article : Docker Daimlers

The Green Goddess , which Daimler had brought into the press nationwide and internationally, was the conceptual forerunner of the so-called Docker Daimler . His media success was followed by the idea of showing an extraordinary show car at the British Motor Show in Earls Court every year . It goes back to Norah Docker, who wanted to attract more public attention to the Daimler brand, which is still perceived as sedate. In the period from 1951 to 1955, a total of five Docker Daimlers were created on this basis, each of which was designed by Osmond Rivers. Norah Docker had extraordinary detail additions such as gold-plated bumpers, interior panels made of reptile leather or 7,000 hand-painted stars applied to the paintwork, which caused the desired sensation, but were sometimes perceived as tasteless or vulgar. The first two Docker Daimlers, the sedan The Gold Car from 1951 and the Coupé Blue Clover from 1952, were based on DE36 chassis. They remained unique. The cars of 1953, 1954 and 1955 were based on younger Daimler chassis.

Prices

The Daimler DE36 was one of the most expensive British cars of its time. A DE36 sedan body was priced at £ 6,410 including tax in 1947. That was the equivalent of 21 Ford Anglia cars . In the same year, a recently launched Bristol 400 cost £ 2,375, a Jaguar Mark IV £ 1,263 and a standard Bentley Mark VI £ 4,038.

production

The scope of production of the DE36 has not been clarified beyond any doubt. Depending on the source, Daimler manufactured a total of 205 or 216 chassis between 1946 and 1953. It is uncertain whether all chassis were actually provided with a body. One source assumes that only 145 cars were completed.

Production was not continuous, but was interrupted several times. Some chassis stood in the factory for a long time before being shipped to Hooper or another body manufacturer. In one case, a period of two years between the completion of the chassis and the construction of the body is documented.

Many Daimler DE36 were delivered to royal families as state cars. DE36 customers included the British royal family Bhumibol Adulyadej , the King of Thailand , Haile Selassie , the Emperor of Abyssinia and Mohammed Zahir Shah , the King of Afghanistan .

The Daimler DE36 in motorsport

Tommy Wisdom , Baron Selsdon and Anthony Hume took part in the Monte Carlo Rally in 1952 with a Daimler DE36 with a Hooper body . They started in Lisbon and finished, but were not classified.

literature

• David Culshaw, Peter Horrobin: The Complete Catalog of British Cars 1895-1975 , Poundbury, Veloce Publishing, 2013, ISBN 978-1-845845-83-4
• Tim Hogarth: The Dazzling Lady Docker: Britain's Forgotten Reality Superstar , Scratching Shed Publishing Ltd., 2018, ISBN 978-0995586147
• Brian Long: Daimler & Lanchester. A Century of Motor History , Longford International Publications, 1995, ISBN 1899154019
• Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, David Burgess-Wise: Daimler Century . Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1995, ISBN 1-85260-494-8
• Halwart Schrader: Jaguar type compass - passenger cars since 1931 , Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 2001, ISBN 3-613-02106-4
• Heiner Stertkamp: Jaguar - The complete chronicle from 1922 to today , 2nd edition, Heel-Verlag, 2006, ISBN 3-89880-337-6
• James Taylor: Coachwork on Rolls-Royce & Bentley 1945–1965 , Herridge & Sons, Beaworthy, 2019, ISBN 978-1-906133-89-4
• Richard Townsend: Docker's Daimlers. Daimler and Lanchester Cars 1945 to 1960 , Amberley Publishing, Stroud, 2017, ISBN 978 1 4456 6316 6
• Nick Walker: A – Z of British Coachbuilders 1919–1960 . Shebbear 2007 (Herridge & Sons Ltd.) ISBN 978-0-9549981-6-5 .

Web links

Commons : Daimler Thirty-Six  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ^ Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, David Burgess-Wise: Daimler Century . Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1995, ISBN 1-85260-494-8 , p. 272.
2. ↑ Classic Cars Special: English classic cars. Issue 7/8/9 1994, p. 36.
3. ↑ Tim Hogarth: The Dazzling Lady Docker: Britain's Forgotten Reality Superstar , Scratching Shed Publishing Ltd., 2018, ISBN 978-0995586147 , p. 178.
4. ^ David Culshaw, Peter Horrobin: The Complete Catalog of British Cars 1895-1975 , Poundbury, Veloce Publishing, 2013, ISBN 978-1-845845-83-4 , p. 116.
5. ^ ^{A b} Brian Long: Daimler & Lanchester. A Century of Motor History , Longford International Publications, 1995, ISBN 1899154019 , p. 195.
6. ↑ Contemporary images with different bodies on DE-36 chassis on the website www.coachbuild.com (accessed on January 24, 2020).
7. ^ Richard Townsend: Docker's Daimlers. Daimler and Lanchester Cars 1945 to 1960 , Amberley Publishing, Stroud, 2017, ISBN 978 1 4456 6316 6 , p. 41.
8. ^ Richard Townsend: Docker's Daimlers. Daimler and Lanchester Cars 1945 to 1960 , Amberley Publishing, Stroud, 2017, ISBN 978 1 4456 6316 6 , p. 34.
9. ↑ Nick Walker: A – Z of British Coachbuilders 1919–1960 . Shebbear 2007 (Herridge & Sons Ltd.) ISBN 978-0-9549981-6-5 , p. 114.
10. ↑ Auction report from June 6, 2015 for a DE36 Touring from Freestone & Webb (accessed on January 18, 2020).
11. ↑ Illustration and description of a Touring Sedan in a contemporary sales brochure (lower part) on the website www.coachbuild.com (accessed on January 24, 2020).
12. ↑ Illustration of the draft in a contemporary sales prospectus (accessed on January 24, 2020).
13. ↑ The rear of the Freestone & Webb saloon (accessed January 24, 2020).
14. ^ Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, David Burgess-Wise: Daimler Century . Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1995, ISBN 1-85260-494-8 , p. 250.
15. ^ Brian Long: Daimler & Lanchester. A Century of Motor History , Longford International Publications, 1995, ISBN 1899154019 , p. 208.
16. ↑ Image of the car on the website www.coachbuild.com (accessed on January 24, 2020).
17. ↑ For the details of the Windover bodies, see Brian Long: Daimler & Lanchester. A Century of Motor History , Longford International Publications, 1995, ISBN 1899154019 , pp. 195-199.
18. ^ ^{A b} Richard Townsend: Docker's Daimlers. Daimler and Lanchester Cars 1945 to 1960 , Amberley Publishing, Stroud, 2017, ISBN 978 1 4456 6316 6 , p. 35.
19. ^ Brian Long: Daimler & Lanchester. A Century of Motor History , Longford International Publications, 1995, ISBN 1899154019 , p. 206.
20. ^ Brian Long: Daimler & Lanchester. A Century of Motor History , Longford International Publications, 1995, ISBN 1899154019 , p. 201.
21. ^ Brian Long: Daimler & Lanchester. A Century of Motor History , Longford International Publications, 1995, ISBN 1899154019 , p. 218.
22. ^ ^{A b} Brian Long: Daimler & Lanchester. A Century of Motor History , Longford International Publications, 1995, ISBN 1899154019 , p. 79.
23. ^ NN: The 1948 London Motor Show, Earls Court Exhibition, ex-Sir Bernard Docker "from the Estate of the Late John H. Sweeney", 1948 Daimler DE-36 "Green Goddess" - The Chairman's Car. www.bonhams.com, August 14, 2009, accessed March 21, 2020 . 
24. ^ Brian Long: Daimler & Lanchester. A Century of Motor History , Longford International Publications, 1995, ISBN 1899154019 , p. 207.
25. ^ Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, David Burgess-Wise: Daimler Century , Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1995, ISBN 1-85260-494-8 , p. 258.
26. ^ Brian Long: Daimler V8 SP 250 , Veloce Publishing Ltd, 2008, ISBN 9781904788775 , p. 16.
27. ↑ NN: Golden Car for a Lady . Daily Mail dated November 6, 2006.
28. ^ Richard Townsend: Docker's Daimlers. Daimler and Lanchester Cars 1945 to 1960 , Amberley Publishing, Stroud, 2017, ISBN 978 1 4456 6316 6 , p. 81.
29. ^ Mark J. McCourt: Earls Court Extravagance. www.hemmings.com, May 2017, accessed on March 21, 2020 . 
30. ^ Brian Sewell: Daimler: Extravagant design and magnificent bodywork. www.independent.co.uk, February 10, 2004, accessed March 19, 2020 . 
31. ^ Description of the Docker Daimlers on the website www.joesherlock.com (accessed on January 18, 2019).
32. ↑ A Ford Anglia cost around £ 300 in 1948. SNN: The Ford Anglia 8hp Road Test . The Motor dated October 27, 1948.
33. ↑ Christopher Balfour: Bristol Cars. A very British story . Haynes Publishing, 2009, ISBN 978-1-844254071 . P. 83
34. ^ Richard Townsend: Docker's Daimlers. Daimler and Lanchester Cars 1945 to 1960 , Amberley Publishing, Stroud, 2017, ISBN 978 1 4456 6316 6 , p. 36.
35. ↑ List of participants in the 1952 Monte Carlo Rally (accessed on March 21, 2020).
36. ^ Brian Long: Daimler & Lanchester. A Century of Motor History , Longford International Publications, 1995, ISBN 1899154019 , p. 218.