An Australian collection
Sir,
On reading one of my old Motor Sports of February, 1961, I came across again your White Elephantitis Encounter with a Silent Knight, and note that you said you had hoped to include a Double Six Daimler, but none appear to be left running, so thought you may be interested to know I have one which is in good condition; in fact, the total mileage is 38,000, the coachwork is very sound and original, and the twin exhausts leave very little blue smoke haze after her. The upholstery has of course been soiled and moth-eaten through the years but I am at the moment having its bright parts re-plated, re-ducoed royal blue, and am trying very hard to buy Bedford cord for the re-upholstery, so far without any luck, so may have to use some other type of material for the interior.
It was exported to Australia by Sir Frederick Steward and he was fortunate enough to own registration number NSW 1. The Daimler was graced with this plate for many years, until he parted with it, and it is now on his son’s Bentley.
You may be interested to know that in my stable I also have a 1918 6-cylinder Dutch Spyker torpedo 40-h.p. tourer, 1930 4 1/2-litre Bentley which is being carefully rebuilt to be a replica of Harry Rose’s famous car (he has very kindly sent me photos, etc., which are of great assistance), a 1930 38/250 Mercedes tourer reputed to be ex-Mr. Myer. I also have a 1914 28/95 Mercedes chassis (not yet rebuilt), Hispano Suiza tourer 1924, a large 40-h.p. Locomobile Raceabout, 1914 model, a Rolls-Royce Continental Freestone and Webb saloon which I think is at least a genuine car, ex-Ronald Loader of the B.D.C. in the U.K., ex-Reg. No. RL 1; also a large 1911-1914 Delaunay-Belville 40/50 tourer which sports dual rear wheels—which makes me think it was a 1914-18 war vehicle. Also a couple of Packards, 1926 tourer and 1936 Straight Eight saloon, plus Chrysler Imperial 80 tourer, famous for its Vauxhall-type bonnet and radiator. There are some others which I won’t bore you with.
J.A. Jeffrey.
Sydney.