Daimler New Fifteen

The Daimler New Fifteen was a large saloon/sedan car at the low end of the Daimler's range produced between 1937 and 1940. It had a tax rating of 16.2 hp. In September 1938 it was given a larger engine with the tax rating of 17.9 hp though it retained the name Fifteen.[1] When production resumed in 1946 it was given a revised cylinder head, given chrome channel frames for the side windows, stripped of its running-boards, and renamed Daimler Eighteen.

Launch

1937 saw the opening, in September, of what was intended to be the world's largest exhibition hall at Earls Court on the western edge of central London. The inaugural exhibition involved chocolate and confectionery: six weeks later the Motor Show opened on 14 October. For Daimler, the star of the first “Earls Court Motor Show” was the new Daimler Fifteen, described in their advertisements as “the most interesting car of the year”.

Engine and running gear

The Fifteen was announced with the 2,166 cc ohv straight-six engine introduced by Daimler in August 1936 for the previous body shape following reduction of the rate of annual tax. The press suggested the New Fifteen was under-powered. New management at Daimler wished to drop the "staid" image.

Body

Two bodies were offered, a spacious “six-light” saloon, following the pattern adopted by many British middle-weight cars of the period, and a more stylish four-door "four-light" sports saloon. In addition a 4-door cabriolet, fixed-head coupé (1937 only) and two-door drophead coupé were also available and buyers prepared to pay for a body from a specialist body builder would have faced a reassuringly wide range of possibilities including a smart "razor edge" style.

Features

Wireless set, four ashtrays, zip pockets below the slip pockets on the forward doors, tables and footrests in the backs of the big adjustable front seats, Thermos flasks in front of the rear arm-rests, a cigarette-box in the folding centre arm-rest, a fire extinguisher, fog and pass lights, a boot and door lined with rubber, a master switch by the driver's seat, a lamp under the bonnet, and a provision for a heater and demister. Engine finished like a show piece. There are electric lights in the quarters with two switches, louvres over the four-door windows, twin wind-tone horns, a lockable cupboard, two wipers, winding screen, and sliding roof. The Times' Motoring Correspondent continued "the boot is not very large and the door does not fold down to the same level. Entrance and leg room behind are but fair, and the back seat is rather upright. On the other hand, the wheelbase of the Fifteen is not long and this body is of the sports type. There is enough head clearance and the floors are flat and unobstructed. The spare easy-clean wheel is in its own compartment. The seating is luxurious."

Dolphin

A 'Special Sports' version was announced in April 1939 with 4-door cabriolet bodywork (all-weather tourer) by Charlesworth Bodies of Coventry and a high-compression (increased from 5.5:1 to 7:1) 90 b.h.p engine (a 36% increase on standard output) with twin carburettors, redesigned porting and light-alloy cylinder head. A higher final drive ratio was provided for 'exceptionally easy fast running'. Novelties for Daimler included a tachometer, and a fishtail exhaust with matching resonance.

This was another step in his policy for re-positioning the brand instituted by new managing director, E. H. W. Cooke. This car formed the basis of the postwar Special Sports series.

Lanchester Roadrider

Both Daimler Fifteen standard body styles were available on a 4-inch shorter wheelbase as Lanchesters for £375 (Daimler £485) in a lower standard of trim with a 6-cylinder 1.8-litre engine and Lanchester grille. They alone could be supplied with a conventional manual gearbox for a further saving of £10, later £25. Choose a Lanchester and "you can knit in the back at fifty".

aka	Daimler New Fifteen
manufacturer	The Daimler Company Limited
production	1937–1940 Approx. 2850 made
assembly	United Kingdom: Coventry
class	Executive car (E)
body style	four-door “six-light” saloon (£485) four-door “four-light" sports saloon (also £485) others as arranged with coachbuilder by customer
engine	2166 cc 6-cylinder in-line ohv (at launch) 2,522 cc 6-cylinder in-line ohv (from late 1938)
transmission	4-speed preselective self-changing gearbox and Fluid Flywheel an open propeller shaft and underhung worm-driven axle
wheelbase	114 in Track 52 in
width	65 in
weight	30.5 cwt
length	180 in
predecessor	Daimler Fifteen
successor	Daimler Eighteen
related	Lanchester Roadrider
sp	uk

Daimler New Fifteen

Launch

Engine and running gear

Independent front suspension

Photos of exterior and interior

Body

Features

Dolphin

Lanchester Roadrider

External links

References