Daimler Conquest Century Automatic

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Launched in 1953 to replace the Consort, the upmarket Daimler Conquest was a slightly modified version of the Lanchester 14/Leda fitted with a six-cylinder, single carb 2,433cc engine that initially 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. Cam and peg steering was used and Girling hydro-mechanical brakes. Automatic chassis lubrication to 21 points, using a pump controlled by exhaust heat, was a clever feature. Drive was usually via a Daimler four-speed pre-selector gearbox with fluid flywheel, although a Borg-Warner three-speed fully automatic gearbox become available as an option from 1956.

It came in three body styles, saloon, roadster or drophead coupe. All had luxurious, well-appointed traditional wood grain and leather interiors. In 1954 the engine was uprated to Century spec with an alloy head, big valves, higher compression, high lift cam and twin carbs which raised the output to a useful 100bhp with a 100mph top speed and a 0-60 time of around 16 seconds. Always an expensive car, just 4,818 Century saloons were sold before production came to an end in 1958.

This remarkably original fully automatic 1957 example has covered just 21,000 miles from new. The accompanying buff logbook shows that it was first registered to a Mr Gould, who purchased it on behalf of his mother. His son, a subsequent owner of the vehicle, vividly remembers going with his father to collect the car from the Daimler factory, adding that his Grandmother rarely used the car, confirming that the indicated mileage is correct.

The vendor purchased it from a friend in 1996, its previous owner having acquired it from the Gould family 15 years prior to that. An MOT on file confirms its mileage in 1984 as 16,781 miles, a total of 15 other old MOTs further confirming its infrequent usage over the years.

Since coming into the vendor's hands, it has been carefully looked after and kept in good running order. A series of bills for regular maintenance are on file, along with a factory service manual, parts list and handbook. Although no longer requiring one these days, it carries a current MOT which expires in May 2016 and sounded particularly sweet when manoeuvering to take these photographs.

In nice original and unmolested condition, this extremely low-mileage Century is on offer at no reserve so the highest bid takes it home. 

AMENDMENT: Bidders are advised that upon arrival, the car has a leaking front carburettor due to a sticky float valve