Daimler and Lanchester
History and Models
logo 1896 to the Present

 1925-1938
 

By 1925 Daimler had 7 basic models and BSA 6. This year saw the introduction of long stroke engines with dual ignition and pressure lubrication of the camshaft. The same year saw the death of the company's founder Harry Lawson. In 1926, AEC and Daimler set up a new venture called Associated Daimler Company to build commercial chassis with a choice of Daimler sleeve valve or AEC poppet valve engines. The association was not a very happy one, so in 1926 they agreed to separate with Daimler retaining the ADC name. ADC truck The same year saw the introduction of the first European V12, the Daimler double six, a rather thirsty beast returning only 10 mpg.  

By 1929 the company closed down the body building side and contracted this to outside suppliers. 1930 saw the introduction of a new 30HP model, which didn't require a de-coke before 40,000 miles - up to that time the normal de-coke period was 8000 miles or even less. Production that year was running at 5,494 chassis in various forms. Also, the fluid flywheel and pre-selector were introduced, with Henry Ford's son Edsel being one of the first to order one and have it shipped to the USA. Christmas 1930 was bleak due to the Wall Street Crash and one of Britains oldest car manufacturers, the Lanchester Motor Company became one of its victims, with Daimler/BSA buying the company for £26,371. The 15/18 Lanchester was launched in 1931 and was hailed as one of the most interesting cars at the Olympia Motor Show. Priced at £565, this 2504cc six kept a lot of the Lanchester innovations along with Daimler's fluid flywheel. It was attractive enough for the Duke of York to take delivery of one in 1932. The same type of car was the first ever winner of the RAC Rally, a 1000 mile touring event ending in Torquay. Second place in the same event was a 30/40 Daimler Double Six.
1933 saw the reintroduction of the body building plant, as Daimler had become dissatisfied with the output from companies such as Mulliners. 1933 output showed that the company produced 5000 Lanchester Tens, 1,100 Daimler Fifteens, 850 Lanchester Eighteens and 150 Daimler Twenties. In 1936, a straight 8 was introduced with a 4,624cc engine and a top speed of 90mph.(Straight 8) Daimler's bus production had increased steadily during the '30s. A number of diesel-engined variants had been built with six cylinder Gardner, 7.7 AEC and four cylinder Armstrong Saurer included in them. In 1937, a new company, 'Transport vehicles' (Daimler) was formed, to build trolley buses. For 1938, Daimler launched the 2,166cc 'New Fifteen'. A similar chassis was used for the Lanchester variant, the Roadrider de Luxe, Roadrider and 1939 saw the introduction of a special sports tourer, a 2.5 litre that developed 90bhp.

 
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