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The Docker era
The first cars to go into production after the war were the Daimler eighteen and Lanchester 10. Most of these had to be exported to help towards the post war recovery. What didn't help was petrol rationing of 10 gallons per month - the equivalent of 200 miles or so. In 1947, the raising of purchase tax to 66.6% was a blow to the British luxury car market, which only managed to survive by exporting. The chairman of Daimler since the early part of the war was Sir Bernard Docker, a very flamboyant millionaire who, in 1948, had a straight eight roadster nicknamed the Green Goddess which was the most expensive car at the Earls Court exhibition, being valued at £7001. In 1950 Lady Docker got the bit between her teeth and told her husband that only Royalty knew about Daimlers and that they could not survive on status alone, but needed to sell to the masses. Anyway, she designed her own car and had it covered with 7000 gold stars, with all the bright work gold plated and stole the headlines in nearly every paper in Britain and across the world. 1950 saw the peak of the royal Daimlers but, with disappointing problems with a gearbox on a wedding present Daimler, the Duke of Edinburgh took delivery of a Rolls-Royce. In 1952, a new 3 litre Sports Special Convertible Coupe was introduced, with 100hp+ and overdrive on fourth gear, but the star of the motor show was another Docker Daimler |
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| Lord and Lady Docker |
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| Gold Plated Golden Zebra |
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| Interior of the Golden Zebra |
Blue Clover |
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| In 1948, this automobile DE36 made its debut, painted in a special jade green color although the example above is in Maroon. The car was given the name 'the Green Goddess' by the motoring press, and later used for several years after the show by Sir Bernard Docker |
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