Daimler and Lanchester - 110 years of heritage

Daimler became the luxurious and ultra-equipped versions of their Jaguar stable mates. Easily distinguished by the fluted grill and under-stated styling, Daimlers remain popular with governments throughout the world.

Matching the 2½ litre V8 engine from the SP250 into the Jaguar Mark 2 saloon body mated to an automatic gearbox car was a stroke of genius and produced a car as smooth as silk. Very popular today.

Originally a 3 litre six, but with the introduction of the 4½ litre V8 engine this was a very special and fast motor car. Better than any Jaguar of the day.

Favoured by King George and Royalty the world over, these massive and luxurious cars were produced in relatively small numbers.

Developed from the 15, this 2½ litre chassis became the company's biggest success and was available in saloon, drop-head, Special Sports and Empress body styles.

The new Daimler ‘20’ which succeeded the ‘16/20’ was a classic ‘D back’ design built around an all new chassis (LQ). Introduced for the 1932-33 sales year it was fitted with a trademark sleeve valve engine of 2648 cc, running through the Daimler patented ‘fluid flywheel’ and Wilson pre-selector gearbox.

The best selling Daimler of the 1930s and still very popular today. A six cylinder 2 litre engine coupled through a fluid flywheel to the Wilson pre-select gearbox made it exceptionally easy to drive. 

Lanchester was an engineering genius and the cars reflected his talents. The Lanchester Register caters exclusively for these magnificent motor cars.

Based on the Jaguar 420 and powered by the Jaguar straight 6 of 4.2 litres the Sovereign marked the move to Jaguar badge engineering.

When introduced, the thrilling performance of this 2½ litre V8 engined sports car shook the old school manufacturers. They now are now highly regarded and have an exceptionally loyal following.

Filling a niche in the 1950s for stylish and sporty saloons prior to the introduction of the Majestic, these models span a number of chassis and engines.

THe Lanchester Ten, also known as the LD10, was presented as a compact companion model to the Daimler range, being "craftsman built" and among the smallest ever volume-produced cars from the company.

Daimler's Bentley basher. Newly developed engine was increased to 4 litres for outstanding performance.

The Lanchester "New" Eighteen was introduced as a replacement for Lanchester's existing 18hp model and was well-received by the motoring press.

The last of the premium pre-war cars.

Following the acquisition of Lanchester by BSA, a new range of Lanchester small premium cars appeared.

Daimler licenced and then further developed the American Knight engines for their cars adopting them because of their superior silent running and power. The span of models was immense.

Recognised the world over as the iconic Limousine. Used by Heads of State and undertakers everywhere.

Designed by BSA and built by Daimler and initially using their 2½ litre six engine, these lightly armoured cars saw active service in WW2 and conflicts into the 1970s.

Daimler's first all-new post-war car although it followed  Daimler's conventional structure and layout. The sporting derivatives are highly sought-after.

Based on the DB18 chassis with an uprated engine, the Special Sports was announced at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show. Expensive but supremely comfortable and capable of touring over long distances at high speed.

Building on the success of the recently introduced Lanchester "Eighteen" model, the Daimler "Light Twenty" was advertised in July of 1935 and was largely based on the Lanchester Eighteen with the exception of having a 2,565c.c.(19.3 R.A.C. HP) engine.

The 15-18 was the first Coventry-designed Lanchester.

Who knew BSA produced cars? From 1907 and into the 1930's. Built in the Daimler Factory and now very rare.

Daimler and Lanchester were world pioneers in motor car production in the 1890s and 1900s. Both marques completed quite astonishing feats including 1,000 mile endurance trials.