1958 Daimler Majestic Saloon

Description

With a long and proud tradition of building some of the finest cars in Britain, The Daimler Company Limited was founded in 1896 and enjoyed the patronage of the Royal Family for the first half of the 20th Century. Daimler began building a series of smaller, more affordable models alongside its big straight eights, starting with the medium-sized Fifteen of September 1932, the first design to break away from the previous sleeve-valve technology in over two decades. When production resumed after the Second World War a myriad of new models appeared, including the six-cylinder DB18, better known as the Consort. Daimler introduced a larger version for the luxury market in 1951, initially badged as the DF300 (or DF301 for left-hand drive export versions) but is better known as the Regency. Clothed by the coachbuilders such as Barker and Hooper, a handful were also built with a larger 4 ½-litre version of the straight six and most featured pre-selector gearboxes. In October 1955 the Regency gave way to the One-O-Four (a reference to the top speed of 104 mph), the new model benefiting from a revised cylinder head with higher compression ratio, fully hydraulic brakes and the option of a Borg-Warner automatic transmission. Daimler announced yet another development of the model in July 1958, the Majestic using a new 3.8-litre version of the motor rated at 147 bhp, fed by twin SU HD6 carburettors, along with a torque converter and vacuum servo-assisted disc brakes all round - a first on a British saloon car.  Although the Majestic bore more than a passing resemblance to its predecessors, the styling was updated to increase interior space, making the Daimler a genuine six-seater. Only sold with automatic transmission, the Majestic featured plenty of luxurious touches, including leather upholstery, burr walnut timber, reading lamps for passengers, courtesy lights when the doors opened, a cigar lighter and decent heating and ventilation.  A road test by The Motor conducted in 1958 found the Majestic capable of reaching 0-60 mph in just 14.2 seconds on the way to a top speed just over 100 mph. 

History

- Rare ‘50s British luxury car
- Older restoration in lovely condition
- Former trophy winner

One of very few Majestics to arrive in Australia before the model was discontinued shortly after Jaguar’s takeover of Daimler, this lovely car has a badge on the dash signifying it was delivered by the local Sydney agents Hercules Motors Pty Ltd. Purchased by the Late Owner from a family in the Windsor, NSW area in the early 1990s, the car was comprehensively refurbished by its Late Owner; work included replacing the interior carpets and headlining, refurbishing the timber and door trims while the body was treated to a complete repaint in the elegant colour combination of silver over burgundy. The owner, an active member of the Daimler Car Club, did the mechanical work himself but all exterior bodywork and re-chroming was outsourced to professionals. 

Once back on the road the Majestic became a familiar sight at club events and the recipient of numerous awards and trophies. The owner was meticulous about servicing the car and maintained the Majestic in excellent running condition, often using it for weddings and other special occasions. Always kept garaged, we understand the Daimler hasn’t been driven for the past 18 month due to the owner’s declining health and this much-loved vehicle is now being offered for sale by his family. 

The car presents well throughout, the older restoration holding up nicely – the chrome is all in good condition and the paint largely free from blemishes or stone chips, although there are some stress cracks around the rear pillars and humidity blisters in a couple of areas. The owner elected to preserve the original seat leather which has developed a lovely patina of age and the only noted modification to the interior is the addition of a later sound system, with a speaker mounted under the timber dash. Showing 7,194 miles on the clock – presumably the mileage accumulated since the rebuild – the Daimler is a relatively compact classic luxury car, ideal for club runs and events like All British Day. Sold unregistered, the Daimler comes with an original Service Parts catalogue.