Electrifying a vintage Daimler

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We were surprised, and a little alarmed, to notice a classified advertisement on our website for the engine from a 1923 Daimler D16 landaulet. The reason for its sale is because the owner has decided to convert the car to electric power. We know readers are likely to have strong feelings either way on this subject, and the fact that there are now some Austin Sevens running on electric power shows that some owners are open to experiment but, unlike many Sevens, this Daimler is a unique survivor and possesses an important early history.

Early history

It was purchased new from Stratton Instone of Pall Mall by Alfred Douglas-Hamilton, 13th Duke of Hamilton, who was Scotland's premier peer. He bought it for the use of the Duchess's personal companion, Miss Louise Lind-af-Hageby. It was used regularly around London and starred in the 1926 Lord Mayor's Show, when it transported the Swedish Ambassador, likely because of Miss Lind-af-Hageby's Swedish ancestry.

In 1959, it was bought by a garage owner who kept it in storage but never commenced restoration. It was not until 1999 when it changed hands again that it was subjected to a five-year, body-off restoration. It was recently sold to its present owner by Vintage & Prestige.

A unique survivor

Today, it is understood to be the only D16 on the road. The famous Daimler sleeve-valve engine is presumed to be original to it, and the bodywork is unusual in being partitionless, allowing direct communication between the driver and passengers.

Concerned that the owner's designs would damage the fabric of a unique and historically significant car, we approached them for comment and received the following reply:

"I am 78 years old and have had Newfoundland dogs for the last 46 years. What relevance has this, I hear you say. Stick with it – you do not know everything – I do. Read and learn.

Years ago, I used to remove the passenger seat of my car and my Newfie at the time would sit alongside me. With modern car regulations I cannot take the passenger seat out (it is wired to airbags, etc.) and my dogs over recent years have jumped up onto the back seat. My current Newfie is arthritic and old and cannot jump. I had (substantial, due to her weight) steps made for her. These have to be removed from the boot and carried and placed in position, which is heavy work.

The advantage with early vintage cars is:
a. the front passenger seat can be removed and stored
b. there is a fixed running board for easy access (so no heavy lifting for me).

I have also felt that my next car should be an electric one. I seriously dislike modern cars – they are ugly, bloated and obese, especially the electric ones. I considered early electric cars but they only do 20-25 mph, which is really irritating for other traffic. The alternative was a vintage car, with running boards, which could be converted to electricity.

After research, I found my D16 Daimler (the first owner of which was a woman), which is anathema to male petrolheads as it is so feminine. It's unattractive to women generally due to its complicated double declutch system. Yeah, right, who is going to remember or do that? It had no male or female market and didn’t sell. By electrifying it, it will have another 100 years of being owned by women (not, as I say, that I am sexist in any way).

On the matter of pollution: the production of electricity itself produces pollution but it is easier to find a way to neutralise it in a restricted area than trying to neutralise hundreds/thousands/millions of individual cars. The first Covid-19 lockdown showed ordinary people that the air quality in towns and cities was vastly, and quickly, improved by having no cars. No combustion engines also meant that traffic noise pollution was all but eliminated. Noise is a serious issue for mental health/ill-health.

I have considerable sympathy for people whose jobs rely on the combustion engine and see electrification as threatening their livelihood. For people whose hobby it is, not so much."

Our response

We appreciate the owner is motivated by a desire to do good but the greater good would be served by preserving the car in its original specification. Through conversion, its historic and educational value will be irreparably compromised.

We fully recognise the problems of air, noise and visual pollution caused by today's bovine culture of motor-car dependency, but this reaction is misguided. Historic vehicles are typically used sparingly and responsibly, so their impact on air quality is virtually nil, and anyone concerned for mental health must appreciate that vintage cars bring genuine joy not only to owners (the ability to tinker was a lifeline for many during lockdowns) but also to many members of the public. That is nothing to the fact that lithium and cobalt-mining have dreadful environmental and humanitarian consequences of their own, and there is uncertainty about whether the world has a sufficient supply to support the mass adoption of lithium-battery cars.

Finally, we cannot agree that neither men nor women would appreciate the sleeve-valve Daimler. As a 25-year-old man, I would take immense pride in it, and other young enthusiasts would say the same. As for women, I am sure they will tell us whether they can cope with double-declutching!

We're sure readers have an opinion, too. Please tell us what you think in the comments below.

Update — November 23rd, 2022

The owner has taken the time to respond to some of the comments.

I anticipated that there might be some strong reaction... 

The alternative choices suggested were almost all considered by me and rejected – all the Model A cars available at the time were two-seaters and were not “quality” ('common as dirt' was one reader’s comment) – I want to carry passengers in comfort as well as my dog. As for a Nissan Leaf – really ugly! I considered a Rolls-Royce but they are too wide for the passageway to my property. There was something wrong with all other options but the Daimler had everything.Regarding pollution and pressuring India, China, America and other countries – of course I must, as much as I can. But my car is under my control and I can do something about that.  They are not alternate choices. The apparent German research showing no measurable effect in reduction in pollution was answered by my remarks that ordinary people could judge for themselves during Covid without believing or not believing in “research”.  Bluntly, I’m afraid I do not. Regarding lithium-batteries, these need only be temporary. Invent a better way…

The current situation with the engine is as follows:

• One person is considering buying it to display in his shop and in due course hopes that the car itself would come onto the market so he could buy that too. (As my heirs have no interest it in, that may happen).
• Another is considering buying it to put in his 1928 Daimler.
• It could be stored with the passenger seat, and both sold with the car eventually.
• All the critics could send me loads of money and fund the storage!!

As with all good lectures, I will end with thanks.

Thank you to the person who raised the point of DVLA’s requirements – I did not know about that. It is now in hand.

Thank you to the person who raised the point of the transportation of dogs – that is now in hand.

From the owner of the prettiest car in the world.

P.S. Regarding comparing damaging a painting with electrifying a car: I cannot see the correlation. A painting does not damage anyone or anything, a combustion engine does.

Regarding buying a Detroit Electric: I dealt with that in my original letter (20 miles an hour etc).  Also it would not cost a lot less. There was an electric car for sale with Bonhams – estimate $30,000-50,000. It actually sold for $140,000.

I would like to thank the respondents who, while not altogether agreeing with me, at least did not accuse me of “Hating both historic cars and the people who own them”!

Update — January 26th, 2025

As some readers will recall from the comments, the owner of this Daimler chose to ignore the considerable number of arguments against ripping out its historic drivetrain and converting it to electric power, and the lamentable act was completed by July, 2023, with some ghastly electric steps on the running boards for good measure. I have now noticed that, after less than two years of use, it is being offered for sale, so clearly it was all very worthwhile and not a half-witted waste of time, money and a unique Daimler. Presumably the Newfoundland is dead. What is concerning is that the advertisement makes no mention of the original engine being included in the sale. As for the price, they want £140,000... We can scoff, but ultimately it is our, the enthusiasts', loss.

Words: Zack Stiling
Pictures: Vintage & Prestige

This article was originally published on November 17th, 2022.

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