Description
Delilah is a Type DJ260 saloon, built with a Borg Warner DG type 3-speed automatic gearbox and a 100 BHP engine. She has a UK V5C, and a MoT up to 24 September 2019. She was a very smooth runner until 23 October 2018, when the engine suffered a big end failure in Germany (at 46, 949 miles).
Delilah is a very complete and original car for her age, but she is neither a matching numbers car nor a concourse candidate. She is in the garage at my home in Tiszafüred, Hungary and would need to be collected from here at the buyer's expense. She is now a “light to medium project”.
The burgundy leather interior has a lovely patina. The dashboard is the later, rarer darker wood type, with white on black instruments and an oil pressure gauge. There is a small and repairable rip on the driver's seat. The headlining was replaced. The carpets and wood are fine.
The following was done in October 2018. Professional negative earth conversion. New Dynamator (modern alternator in a dynamo box). Discreet powerful high-level LED brake light. 2 new front shock absorbers. 5 new Hankook steel radials. New spark plugs, distributor cap, points and HT leads. All fluids changed (except brake fluid - electronically tested and OK). Everything freshly greased. On request, I will happily provide a comprehensive summary of the work done.
Delilah needs a new home with somebody who can put her back into running order. She comes with a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, scans of many original Daimler manuals, some service records (1998-2013 and my ownership), replacement Hella rear lights, a LED-compatible hazard/ indicator flasher kit with period dash lamp & switch, some spares and some gear and transmission oils.
A non-running original type Conquest Century engine (rebuilt in 2011 at 41, 211 miles, at a cost of £3, 000) is included in the sale. After a big end failure on 23 October 2018, it was taken out of the car and partly stripped for rebuilding. The crank turns by hand, the cylinders are not stuck. The engine number is correctly recorded on the V5C registration document and on the builder's plate in the engine compartment, but the Heritage Certificate evidences that the engine was replaced at some point between 1957 and 1998.
The DG automatic gearbox is excellent, and is currently stored in my continuously heated workshop.
I bought Delilah at the beginning of October 2018, on the understanding that she was in good running order but wanted some TLC. I am now - sadly - selling her for two reasons: 1) I do not have the engineering skills needed to rebuild the engine or to do some welding that has been recommended where the body meets the chassis (this work is not hard for anybody who can weld); 2) I learned the hard way that I do not have either the language skills or the patience needed to organize such a restoration in Eastern Hungary.
The international Daimler & Lanchester Owners’ Club (DLOC) and their online forums have been a great help to me, as I am sure they will be to any purchaser.
More photographs are available on request. All sensible and non-destructive inspections are very welcome. I will answer all serious enquiries honestly, as completely as I can, but - please - no contact from canvassers or silly offers from dealers.
I am open to sensible negotiations and/ or deals. I would happily part exchange this car for a good Hungarian registered 4WD pick-up or 4WD jeep, or possibly for a very well sorted Hungarian registered classic MG, Triumph or Mercedes car.
The asking price has been greatly reduced, and is now 1. 4 million Hungarian Forints.
