£510 - a beer tent - the only 1 in the world GP 4831

[Duesey]

Here's a little story for you.
Above is the Daimler Double Six 50 Corsica.

Once apon a time my father as a young lad learnt of this car through an article in a 1961 Motor Sport magazine and in 1963 persuaded his father to take him to an auction where this car was being sold. My grandfather was not so keen on it and thought it would go for too much money so decided that the beer tent would be the best place to be. As it came up for sale my father rushed to fetch him and he managed to get the car for £510. The car a "white elephant" as some called it was then bought home and work was set about to get it running correctly.


Here it is outside my grandfathers house in the 60's.

The car then passed from father to son and I have many happy memories as a child being driven to the pub in it by my father. One of the moments that stick in my mind was when I was around 10 years old being made Carnival Queen in our small village and it was my fathers job to lead the procession and drive myself and the princess in the yearly carnival parade, so what did he do - he lead the whole procession the wrong way round through the village with me very excited perched in the car with everybody looking the wrong way!

The car collection grew and grew in the hands of my fathher and the Daimler only had the occasional outings as a new favourite would arrive every so often. The car was on the Cartier Stand one year where Mr Jeremy Clarkson remarked on the "hearing aid beige" colour.

After over 40 years in our family, what happened to GP 4831?
The car was something my father could never afford to restore and he knew it was time to let it go.
I don't mind admitting the day it went I cried.
There is a happy ending though and I now see it was the right thing to do.
The car was shipped to the fabulous Rob Myers in Canada and a restoration of enourmous proportions was undertaken.
The new owner - Mr Lee then went on to win the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance with the car.

So that was our part in GP 4831.

Claire.







http://www.rmauctions.com/Restorations/Awards.cfm?...

[spitfire4v8]

what a fabulous story, and a fabulous car!!

[Balmoral Green]

Lovely car. Looks like they did a lot of work remodelling the bonnet and the scuttle and the swage line so that it is all flush rather than inset as it used to be. Or is that my imagination?

[Carsie]

What a lovely story - thanks for sharing!

I grew up in the North east in the 70's and one evening I noticed an advertisment for a Bentley Eight Ltr. At the tender age of eleven I had never heard of one and so I phoned the chap up who lived in Newcastle to be told all about it and what it was- similar in genre to the Daimler I guess.

Then there was the bloke with a rag and bone yard on Scotswood Road who had a Bentley Continental R

Then of course there was my old friend Anth who bought E Type No 13 FHC - its still around I'm pleased to see - I knew it when it was a wreck that Anth bought from a lock up in Sunderland painted in a dreadful blue- Palmy days!

[PBE]

Claire.
I remember the car well - I also remember your dad taking all of the the young Blakeney-Edwards out in it when we were all still under 10. I remember being mesmerised by the wheels & looking at the pics now, I still am!
A very, very cool car.
Patrick.

[guru_1071]

oddly i was just looking at a pic of this restored car about two days ago. what a beauty, particually as its a daimler as well.

a rear looker!

[ettore]

A truly stunning car - did they build two (the other a saloon) or is that my imagination?

[williamp]

Wonderful car. I'm sure Octane did an article on this car a short while back. Do you have any more photos from when you had it?

[Gaspode]

Lovely car, but TBH I think it looked better when you owned it...

[graeme36s]

What a lovely story. Many thanks for sharing and such a beautiful car.

[Toma500]

What a lovely story thankyou for sharing.

[jfbrin]

Great story Claire.

I heard it over a pint with your late father (RIP) and also had the honour of being given a tour of his collection. A true enthusiast with exquisite taste.

Great to see the old Duesenberg out in Cheddar last week. It was very impressive.

There is a gentleman in Haynes Museum who has been trying to get to see your Duesenberg as he had heard about it. So you will be very popular if you bring her along to the next meet there.

All the best.

Jerome

[Hairspray]

Absolutely stunning automobile there

[BMWChris]

NIce story. Glad it went to someone you approve of.

[dinkel]

What a car!

Did I see it at recent Peb Beach snappies?

[Chunkychucky]

Great story, amazing car, absolutely stunning. I have a similar case with a car my father bought, restored and owned for a number of years but was then forced to sell, albeit not quite as stunning as your car (Aston Martin DB6 Mk 2 Vantage Volante), so I know how you feel. Thanks for sharing

[Suffolkpete]

Hi Claire
Read your post with great interest.
I am constructing a Special in homage to GP 4831.
If you have any paperwork / details of the car and can help my research please contact me at the following email. [e-mail]
I am also looking for a Radiator plus wheel splines and anything else should you have any old parts.
Many thanks in this matter.
Best Regards
Peter.

Edited by Suffolkpete on Wednesday 18th October 07:23

[Dapster]

What an incredibly beautiful car.

Just spent a few mins on the 'net looking it up. Seems like the restoration cost $6 million!

https://jalopnik.com/247254/jalopnik-fantasy-garag...