Daimler found buried in Guernsey back garden

[evil len]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-43...

A homeowner's landscaping session took an unexpected turn when she unearthed a classic car buried in her back garden.

Tracy Ward, from Guernsey, and her father Brian Russell were digging out a rockery when the pair started to find pieces of metal.

Further excavation revealed a chassis, engine block, front bumper, window frames and other parts.

Local car experts said a number plate and gear box indicate it is a Daimler, probably from the 1940s or 1950s.

[Chris Type R]

I'm no expert, but to me it very much looks like that won't polish out.

[Lynchie999]

where's Dave with his lightbulb ?



I feel sad this wasnt on here with the thread title ... "whats under my rockery ?"

[Squiggs]

Years ago (probably late 70's) one of my first jobs was on a building site. One of the digger drivers had some kind of Yank Tank - with big rear wheels and all raised up at the back, it really looked the part for the era.
I suspect however the car wasn't quite as good as it looked ........ on site early one morning he dug a big hole, pushed his car in and buried it.

[Turbotechnic]

Restored worse

[john2443]

The reg looks like GUK 860, so Wolverhampton Mar-Jul 1949.

[blearyeyedboy]

Not a Guernsey-specific (GUK) numberplate then?

Guernsey has its own system.

[smileymikey]

My grandfather cut up and shovelled a Jaguar SS100 into a hole. In later years it made him a bit sad

[john2443]

blearyeyedboy said:

Not a Guernsey-specific (GUK) numberplate then?

Guernsey has its own system.

No. I think Guernsey just have a number.

I guess it might be worth someone taking it away for spares, but it's not very desirable. If it was a Jag or Bentley it would be at Bonhams!

[aeropilot]

Turbotechnic said:

Restored worse

Taxed worse

[Mr Tidy]

john2443 said:

No. I think Guernsey just have a number.

You're right, Guernsey always used just digits - up to 5.

Jersey use "J" as a prefix followed by up to 5 digits.

[Mike-tf3n0]

If the gearbox is a fluid flywheel or whatever they used to call the pre selector box then it is a rare thing. I think the Daimler OC would be interested.

[Allan L]

Mike-tf3n0 said:

If the gearbox is a fluid flywheel or whatever they used to call the pre selector box then it is a rare thing. I think the Daimler OC would be interested.

The "self-changing gearbox" and fluid flywheel were normal Daimler equipment from 1930 until the mid-1950s so not a rare thing - as the five-digit serial number on the gearbox plate they photographed also implies.

[TooMany2cvs]

They are "looking for interested parties to take the remains away"...


I think it's a skip you need.

[Mike-tf3n0]

Allan L said:

Mike-tf3n0 said:

If the gearbox is a fluid flywheel or whatever they used to call the pre selector box then it is a rare thing. I think the Daimler OC would be interested.

The "self-changing gearbox" and fluid flywheel were normal Daimler equipment from 1930 until the mid-1950s so not a rare thing - as the five-digit serial number on the gearbox plate they photographed also implies.

I was a Daimler salesman in Mayfair in the middle of the last century, there were still a few pre select cars around then and I did drive a few but I thought there was no source now for the parts and maintenance. Sometimes plate numbers identify year of manufacture as well as a serial number but are they genuinely not rare, I've not seen one in years?

[dandarez]

john2443 said:

The reg looks like GUK 860, so Wolverhampton Mar-Jul 1949.

Think it's GUK 880 - could be 860 - but you're right Wolverhampton (or Brum) reg.
The house where the garden is was built new in 1950, so my guess is the car went there during that decade.
But who knows, glad it's not in my garden!