1909 Daimler Model TB22 Drophead
Registration no. H 6779
Chassis no. To be advised
Engine no. To be advised
•The oldest known complete Knight-engined Daimler
•Known ownership history
•Formerly part of the Peter Black Car Museum collection
•Present ownership since 1995
•Offered for restoration
Footnotes:
Built in 1909 and bodied by Hewers Car Bodies Ltd of Coventry, 'H 6779' is the oldest known complete example of the Knight sleeve valve-engined Daimler, this form of power unit having been first exhibited by the British manufacturer in September 1908. Indeed, Daimler were so impressed by the Knight engine, its quietness in particular, that they dropped all poppet-valve models at the end of 1908. For 1909 it was sleeve valves only, there being three models in the range: a 22hp four-cylinder and two sixes of 33hp and 56hp respectively (although referred to as of 22hp, the TB22 was closer to 23hp by the RAC Rating).

A (copy) V5 document records the year of original registration as 1921, this being shortly after the introduction of the Roads Act of 1920, which required local councils to register all vehicles at the time of licensing and to allocate a separate number to each. (Many vehicles, although in existence for several years in some cases, were only registered for the first time after the Act's passing). 'H 6779' is VCC dated as 1909.

This car's early history is uncertain (most of Daimler's records were destroyed during the Blitz) but it seems likely that one of its earliest owners was Mr John Sokell of Driffield, East Yorkshire. Mr Sokell died in 1929 and the Daimler was then laid up, remaining off the road until 1952 when it was offered for sale by the Sokell family and purchased by Mr John Douglas Clayton of Brough, East Yorkshire. Mr Clayton used the Daimler on various rallies for the next few years (note the numerous rally plaques on the bulkhead) before ownership passed to Gordon Fussey of Cottingham, East Yorkshire (1958) and then Peter Black (1964). While forming part of the Peter Black Car Museum's collection, the Daimler featured in the Granada Television series, Lost Empires, broadcast between December 1986 and February 1987. The next known owner was Peter Garner of Cambridgeshire (1994-1995), followed by Brian Moore of Cambridgeshire (1995). The late owner acquired 'H 6779' from Brian Moore in September 1995, adding Great Eastern Rally plaques to the car's already sizeable collection.

As presented today, the car is essentially a restoration project (the gearbox is not currently installed but comes with it). It is of great rarity, there being only two other examples known, both of which are in Australia and incomplete. This is the only complete TB22 known, and, as one of Daimler's first Knight-engined models, is of some considerable historical significance. All in all, this is a wonderful restoration project that is certain to reward the fortunate next owner with a truly magnificent Edwardian motor car.

For Condition Images, please use the below link.




https://we.tl/t-LCd3e39Oqo




If you have any further questions about this lot or would like to discuss the vehicle in more detail, please contact the consigning Specialist for this lot at the details below.




Louis Frankel
+44 7867 901583
louis.frankel@bonhams.com