1947 DAIMLER DE36 state car of King George VI.
Where made:- Daimler, Coventry (chassis), Hooper's, London (coach built bodywork) Engine :- Daimler straight eight.
Two brand new state cars arrived at the royal mews on the 5th May 1947. Both were Daimler de36 chassis with coach built bodies by Hooper's the coach builders. The first of these, YXB 99, was, between 1947 and 1949, state car no 1, the car that would be first choice to carry King George VI. Built for royal use the vehicle contains all the modern features of the day, such as electric windows, a middle screen(separating passengers from driver) and electric glove warmers for the passengers. It is also equipped with a folding laudelette (a simple convertible section over the rear seats ) and a perspex roof so that the occupants could be easily viewed. The arrival of new vehicles to the royal houshold in 1949 relegated this vehicle to state car no 4. However it continued in royal service through Elizabeth II`s Coronation until 1958, well into the first ten years of her reign when it was sold into private hands. The vehicle was generously donated to the museum in 1981.
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1978 DAIMLER DS420.
Model:- DS420 Limousine, made in:- Coventry, Engine size:- 4235cc, no of cylinders:- six.
The DS420 limousines were introduced in April 1968 and in the years that followed have won a special niche for themselves particularly in royal, diplomatic and civic circles. Top speed of around 100mph.
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1953 DAIMLER CONQUEST.
The car is called Conquest because the basic price was £1066. This relates to the Norman Conquest of 1066, hence the name. The car is powered by a 2.5 litre engine which develops 75 bhp. It drives through a fluid flywheel and pre-selector box and is an extremely quiet car, capable of good road holding and has excellent brakes. The interior is fitted with leather seats and a good quality veneer to the woodwork.
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1935 QUEEN MARY`S DAIMLER.
This magnificent vehicle was the personal property of HM Queen Mary, the Queen`s Grandmother, from 1935 until her death in 1953.
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1943 HUMBER.
Model:- Staff car, Engine size:- 4.5 litre, no of cylinders:- six. Made in:- Coventry.
This car was used by Field Marshall Lord Montgomery as his staff car from the d-day landings until the end of the war. Known as the Victory car it covered over 60,000 miles in under twelve months. It was returned by the war office from Germany on 26th July 1947 in order that it should take it`s place with the Field Marshall`s other staff car, Old Faithful, no: M2394559, as a tribute to the service given by Humber cars on all war fronts.
The brass plate on the car`s door reads:- The Victory Car. The Humber staff car no. M239485 was used by Field Marshall the RT. HON. THE VISCOUNT MONTGOMERY of ALAMEIN K.G G.C.B D.S.O. from Normandy to Berlin June 6th 1944-August 25th 1945.
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1980 AUSTIN METRO.
Engine:- 998cc, Top speed :- 84mph, Price new :- £3,095.
This car was once owned by Lady Diana Spencer.
In November 1980, Prince Charles attended a royal launch to BL`s new Metro, taking it on a twenty minute test drive from their factory at Longbridge. He must have liked the car, for soon afterwards Lady Diana was to be seen driving this red Metro in London, which was said to have been a present from the Prince. Before long, this car was probably the best-known Metro in the country, as it was watched night and day by the media. As a car, the Metro was first launched in 1980 and was made until 1997, although by then was known as the Rover 100.
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