Daimler and Lanchester cars

1932 Lanchester Ten Coupe

The Lanchester Ten chassis was very popular with coachbuilders and many pretty coupes were built. This model is an early version of the Mulliner Sports Coupe and was registered in December 1932. Mulliner was Daimlers contracted coachbuilder and also built the ‘standard’ bodied Daimler and Lanchester cars at this time.

The term ‘Sports’ had a different meaning to motorist in the 1930s, it often referred to the style of coachwork, not necessarily the performance capability of the car. This model falls into the first category, the mechanical specification is identical to the staid standard six light saloon car, the coachwork is the only ‘sporty’ part of the car.

I have had a liking for these cars for many years and have viewed a couple to buy – however either price or condition have put me off!

There are two distinct types of sports coupe, with several minor variations to keep keen spotters happy, the early cars like mine, have no running boards and were fitted with the full wheel embellishers you see in the photographs. The early models also sported a leather-cloth covered wooden trunk, on later versions the trunk had a more ‘built in’ appearance, unfortunately mine has succumbed to the ravages of time, luckily the fixings and other hardware have survived and are still with the car. In the photograph below thehe fuel tank is resting on the chassis, it actually fits below the scuttle seen at the rear of the car.

Fitted trunk has rotted away

This Lanchester had been in the previous owner’s hands since 1966, and not run since the beginning of the 1970s. I became aware of the car through this website, the owner contacted me as a result of my appeal for one of these cars. The price was reasonable, and although the car clearly requires a lot of work, it is rust free and appeard to be complete. The leather is in surprisingly good condition and will only require minor repairs, cleaning and an application of hide food. The interior woodwork has been painted in a fetching shade of dark brown, but appears undamaged.

The leather is in remarkably good order

I was informed by the previous keeper that the car is mechanically good, except for the braking system, it apparently came off the road due to a burnt out valve. The cylinder head has since been repaired, but never re – fitted to the car. Only time will tell if this is the case.

So far, I have only managed to safely store the various parts removed from the Lanchester and get to grips with the internal woodwork. The brown Dulux that had beenslapped on the interior wooden trim cleaned off well using a water based paint stripper. The trim has responded to deep cleaning and treatment with wood reviving oil. The many scratches and gouges that the wood has suffered have been made invisible by the application of many coats of external satin varnish carefully flatted between coats.

Unused for over 40 years

The Lanchester is a fixed head coupe with pram irons, the roof originally had a vinyl covering which has become detached since this photograph was taken.

Even though the paintwork is poor, the condition of the coachwork is remarkably good as can be seen in this photograph. Close examination has revealed no areas requiring the attention of the welding torch! The radiator surround came with the car, but is unfortunately in poor condition.