1948 Daimler DE36 Green Goddess For Sale in St Louis, MO, 2146378268 Tweet

Before Rolls-Royce rose to the pinnacle of British motoring there was Daimler. Founded in 1896 by H.J. Lawson (about a dozen years ahead of Messrs. Rolls and Royce) Daimler built cars under license from its German namesake before branching out with its own excellent motorcars. Immediately recognized for superlative quality Daimler earned a Royal Warrant in 1902 to supply the British monarchy with automobiles a responsibility it held until the 1950s. In 1910 the company was purchased by industrial giant Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) which controlled it through 1960 when the marque was acquired by Jaguar where it remained until the illustrious brand was quietly retired in 2010. In the late 1940s the grand DE36 was Daimlers largest and most expensive car offered. Powered by a marvelously smooth overhead valve inline-eight with nine main bearings the Thirty-Six needed every last one of its 150 horses to pull the typically heavy luxurious coachwork beset upon the chassis. A mere 205 examples of the prestigious DE36 were built between 1946 and 1953 with owners including the Royal Families of Afghanistan the Netherlands Saudi Arabia Thailand and at home in England. Concurrently with DE36 production BSA also counted Hooper & Co. Coachbuilders among its subsidiaries. Hooper also had a proud tradition of supplying the finest coaches and motor bodies for royalty and wealthy privateers stopping at nothing to meet their clients wishes. In this early post-war era Hooper adopted a signature look that was fabulously elegant; with long graceful sweeping lines and exquisite detailing. To promote the Daimler/Hooper pairing BSA Chairman Sir Bernard Docker commissioned an extravagant show car for the 1947 Earls Court Motor Show. The Green Goddess of 1947 was the first of six distinct Docker Daimlers ultimately displayed in the ensuring years. After his 1948 marriage to Lady Norah Docker (who was given a token job as director of Hooper) five others followed each more flamboyant than the last. The Golden Daimler of 1951 and the Blue Clover coupe in 1952 shared the DE36 chassis with the Green Goddess while the 1953 Silver Flash was on a 2 1/2-litre Conquest Century chassis and the final two Stardust and Golden Zebra were DK400-based.Of all the Docker Daimlers the incredible Green Goddess caused the greatest stir spawning an extremely limited production run of approximately seven cars. Of those reported seven four are known to survive each unique in detail from the last. Taking its nickname from Sir Bernards original show cars metallic jade green paintwork - the name stuck regardless of hue. Beyond the fabulous Hooper-designed design the sheer scale of the Green Goddess is awe-inspiring. The wheelbase is 147 inches while the body stretches to a full 20 feet in length and at 78 inches wide at the front it is nearly as wide as a Series 1 Land Rover is long! The very picture of the eras opulence the Green Goddess features a hydro-electrically operated fully disappearing soft top fluid-flywheel preselect transmission electric side windows 3+2 seating drinks cabinets and Perspex headlamp covers with fluted chrome trims mimicking that of the signature Daimler radiator shell. Rear wheel spats are affixed via complex sprung hinges and built-in jacks at each corner make for civilized servicing should one encounter a puncture. Despite the bodys aluminum construction the sheer scale means the Green Goddess tips the scales as approximately 6000 lbs. Offered here is chassis number 52802 the third Green Goddess built and one of the finest surviving examples extant with numerous concours accolades to its credit. While the original owner is not known this car has been part of several world-class collections including Harrahs LeMay and most recently a significant private collection. Along the way it received an exceptional concours quality restoration reportedly done by Steve Frisbie of Portland Oregon. Acquired by its most recent owner approximately 15 years ago it has been shown at the Audrain Concours Amelia Island Concours dElegance earned a class award at the Concours dElegance of America at St. Johns and awarded Best in Show at the 2015 Elegance at Hershey. When not on the show circuit it was quietly displayed in the most recent custodians collection. Finished in a handsome duo-tone maroon/burgundy combination 52802 wears its older restoration exceptionally well. The beautifully finished parchment leather interior is awash with marvelous detail from the gracefully curved woodgrain dash to the wonderfully tactile switchgear built-in bar seats for passengers and unique 3+2 seating. The grand scale and fine quality make it a candidate for continued concours display while touring is not out of the question - as few cars can top the DE36 for sheer presence. Ineffable elegance and breathtaking presence define the Daimler DE36 Green Goddess. Neither Sir Bernard nor Lady Docker were wallflowers; and this incredible machine is a lasting tribute to this colorful couple. As one of just four known survivors the Hooper Green Goddess is undeniably an extremely collectible and important automobile marking what some believe is the high point for both Daimler and the Hooper & Co. Coachbuilders a stunningly bold statement in the waning days of the custom coachbuilding era. Offers welcome and trades considered.For additional details please view this listing directly on our website https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7875-1948-daimler-de36-green-goddess-drophead-coupe/