Daimler DB18 Special Sports DHC by Barker

• Aristocratic ownership in Jersey in the early days
• Purchased by our vendor around 15 years ago and subject to a full 2-year recommission
• The work included engine, gearbox, seating and coachwork. Photographic record of most of the work along with invoices etc
• Nicely presented in Chocolate over Custard - good enough to eat!
• Smart interior in dark brown leather. Rear bench seat
• 27,500 miles indicated, which may be correct given its time on Jersey
• Accompanied by lots of trophies for club an local events, shows, Concours etc.
• A stylish, coach built post-war tourer. A proper 'Classic Car'

Development of the pre-war Daimler Fifteen culminated with the DB18 model announced for 1939. Independent suspension appeared for the first time on a Daimler and the DB18 featured an enlarged, 2,522cc version of the overhead-valve six first introduced in 1933. Daimler's customary fluid flywheel, pre-selector gearbox and worm drive rear axle comprised the transmission. A new drophead coupé appeared at the first post-war London Motor Show in 1948: the DB18 Special Sports. Stylish in a most un-Daimler-like manner, the Special Sports featured coachwork by Barker, the latter, like Daimler and fellow coachbuilders Hooper, being one of the BSA Group's many companies. The radiator grille was now curved, the alloy-panelled coachwork more streamlined, and the Special Sports benefited from hydro-mechanical braking and a power output raised to 85bhp courtesy of twin carburettors. In short: a model combining all the usual Daimler refinements with increased performance. When DB18 production ceased in 1953, only 500-or-so of these elegant and refined Special Sports roadsters had been completed.

From Daimler's marketing department in 1950;

"If you like to be noticed and enjoy touring, a Barker Special Sports is an excellent choice. The car has superb seating for 2 adults, and masses of luggage space (the single rear sideways facing seat is removable to allow for more luggage). As the front seats align as a bench and allow for 3 abreast, it is also capable of carrying four persons. With the fully lined mohair hood raised, the car feels like a saloon, it is quiet and opulent. With its high-grade leather, thick Wilton carpet, woollen headlining and a beautifully sculpted dashboard the interior is simply gorgeous. Hood down, the car is still remarkably quiet and really comes into its own, you will find yourself looking for excuses to drive it. The looks, from any angle, compare with the very best coach-built cars of the pre and early post-war era. If you are a shrinking violet it may be wise to avoid buying one of these cars, you cannot drive one without pedestrians spinning on their heals to watch it pass."

This delightful example was purchased new by the Bailiff of Jersey, Alexander Moncrieff Coutanche, in 1952 and shipped over and registered in Jersey. It remained in Baron Coutanche's family until the mid-80s and was subsequently purchased by a Jersey restaurant owner, a Mr Franz Zonter. The old girl wasn't in the best of condition at this point and was shipped to the UK to undergo a complete restoration. When it returned, this lovely Barker Special Sports looked very impressive and was enjoyed by Mr Zonter for many years in the Jersey sunshine before becoming surplus to requirements and put into storage.

Our vendor purchased the car in 2006 and once again it was in need of restoration so a specialist in Jersey was given the task of returning 227 XUG to top form and the result appears excellent. The job list included engine, gearbox, seating and coachwork and, happily, there is a photographic record of most of the work along with invoices etc.

The Daimler presents well in a distinctive two-tone Yellow and Brown, almost Custard with Chocolate sauce and the soft top is in a matching chocolate brown and appears new. The interior is lovely with Dark Brown leather drawn tightly over the rebuilt seats and cream carpets edged in brown. Originally the car was fitted with a single rear seat but the previous owner has children so converted it to an upholstered bench seat, equally smart in dark brown leather. Should a new owner be keen on originality, the original seat is with the car.

The indicated mileage of around 27,500 is not warranted but given its long life on Jersey it could well be correct. What is certain, however, is that this venerable Barker Special has provided many enjoyable days out looking at the number of event trophies and badges with the car and the Rally Plate on the front suggests it's had a day out in Paris.

The DB18 Barker Special Sports must have appeared immensely desirable in the late forties to many ordinary folk struggling to return to normal in a war-torn Britain and, some 70 years later, trickle into a country show in the Cotswolds in 227 XUG, and the effect would be just the same.

.