Chassis No.
90541
| Taplow, Berkshire, United Kingdom
1957 Daimler Conquest Drophead Coupé
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Offered Without Reserve
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- Purchased new by Lady Norah Docker, wife of Daimler Chairman Sir Bernard Docker
- One of 54 examples of the three-seat ‘New’ Drophead Coupé built from 1955 to 1957
- Powered by a 2,433-cc straight-six engine
- Offered from a private collection, where the car has remained since 2012
- Presented with its period “buff” logbook, showing Lady Docker as the first owner with registration to her Mayfair address
Addendum
Please note this car is offered without registration papers, bidders should satisfy themselves as to registration requirements in their own jurisdiction.
Please note this lot has entered the UK on a temporary import bond, which must be cancelled either by exporting the lot outside of the UK on an approved Bill of Lading with supporting customs documentation or by paying the applicable VAT and import duties to have the lot remain in the UK.
Lady Norah Docker lived her life in full public view and, alongside third husband Sir Bernard Docker, then Chairman of Daimler, made no secret of an appreciation for a luxurious lifestyle. While Sir Bernard was still incumbent as a leader of BSA and its subsidiary, Daimler, the marque’s contemporary product line-up lent generously to Lady Docker’s lavish tastes. The socialite became synonymous with the brand—to the point that Sir Bernard appointed her as a company director, with a view to designing several outrageously styled and extroverted “Docker Daimlers” that were bodied by Hooper.
While the Daimler Conquest was designed without input from Lady Docker, it typified the proportions of a fashionable 1950s open-top cruiser. The ‘New’ Drophead Coupé was made to succeed the earlier two-seat Roadster and four-seat Drophead Coupé. The newer car is instantly recognisable with its third, side-facing “buddy seat” tucked behind the two front pews. The Conquest was powered by a 2.4-litre straight-six engine, which produced up to 100 brake horsepower in Century guise. Just 54 examples of the ‘New’ model were made—perhaps, in part, due to the Drophead Coupé out-pricing its rival Jaguar XK140, made by Daimler’s subsequent parent company.
Manufactured in 1957, the Daimler Conquest Drophead Coupé offered here is one of those rare examples. Purchased new by Lady Norah Docker, this car was first registered on 23 May 1957 with the numberplate “TYL 150”, with the colour noted as being Powder Blue on the “buff” logbook. Lady Docker retained the Daimler until August 1960, when the car was sold to Mr Reginald Egerton of Solihull. After 12 years he parted ways with the car, selling it to Mrs Ena Ross of Ellon, Aberdeenshire in July 1972. By this point, the car was noted as sporting dark blue paintwork. While little is known about the intervening years, the Daimler was acquired by the consigning owner in 2012. At this point it was exported to the Netherlands, where it entered a private collection and has remained on static display since. Today, the car is finished in black over an oxblood leather interior with a beige convertible roof. Please note, this vehicle would benefit from servicing prior to being driven.
A rare and quirky 1950s British sporting cruiser, the Daimler Conquest Drophead Coupé is a fabulous alternative choice for those seeking open-top motoring.
