1952 Daimler Barker Special Sports
I bought this car for £50 to rebuild in 1967. It came with
a recent MOT cert. but I found that the king pins and idler arm pin
were
worn down from 3/4 in. to 1/2 in. and the bushes were worn right
through
into the forgings. The front wheel play was over an inch!
Also
the rear brake linings were soaked in brake fluid from the wheel
cylinders.
So much for the MOT in the '60s! Mind you none of that had any
effect
on the steering or brakes - they seemed to work quite well. The
brakes
were the Girling Hydro-mechanical setup with hydraulics on the front
and
rods on the rear if you press the brake pedal it pulls the piston until
the fronts are on then then pulls the whole master cylinder forwards to
pull the attached rear brake rod on.
The rear axle was of the underslung worm type which allows a lower
prop-shaft and reduces the height of the transmission tunnel and is
quieter
than a crown wheel and pinion.
The transmission was by fluid flywheel and 4 speed Wilson pre-selector
epicyclic gearbox - top gear was overdriven. When driving, the
next
gear required is first selected by a lever on the steering column and
then
when you actually want to change gear, the pedal on the floor is
pressed
firmly down and then released, this pedal is in the same position as a
clutch pedal would be but must not be slipped like a clutch.
The engine was a long stroke unit dating from the '30s with an alloy
head and 2 SU carbs. to give it a bit more go but of course the car's
performance
was in no way sporty - top speed was about 80mph and acceleration
minimal.
I had the engine rebored, fitted new pistons and shells and overhauled
the head. I also cleaned out all the water ways in the block as
they
were full of sludge causing overheating. The front wings were
steel
and in extremely bad shape, the rear was alloy and OK. In 1975 we
moved house and there was no room for the Daimler so it was sold for
£150,
today a good example would probably fetch about £25,000.
- Twin carbs. Aluminium head.
- Fluid flywheel and preselector gearbox.
- Independent coil spring front suspension.
- 'Light' aluminium body by Barker.
- 2 front seats plus 1 sideways in the back.