1953 Daimler Conquest Roadster Prototype
Registration no. ORW 655
Chassis no. 85004
•Unique pre-production prototype
•Numerous unique features
•Known ownership history
•Present ownership since 2009
•Offered in 'barn find' condition for restoration

The pre-production prototype, left-hand drive chassis number '85004' is the only Daimler Roadster built in 1953, constructed on the instruction of Lady Docker when she saw how well the Jaguars XK 120-140 were selling. Carbodies of Coventry was responsible for overseeing the car's construction, which was accomplished in six weeks in time for the 1953 Earls Court Motor Show in October. The body was constructed of aluminium on an ash frame.

The prototype Roadster was displayed on the Daimler stand and after the show was registered for road use on 7th December 1953 as 'ORW 655'. It was then loaned to Ken Wharton for three years along with OHP 832 (the saloon that won at Silverstone that was given to Reg Parnell) and became part of the Daimler racing team, Ken chose 6 more drivers including two ladies, who also were given Daimler saloons modified for racing to publicise the model. 'ORW 655' is known to have participated in the race for 2-3 litre prototype cars held after the production car event at Silverstone on 15th May 1954. However, no proof exists that it entered any more than this one race. As a member of the racing team, Wharton and the rest of the race team was allowed to keep the prototype and their saloons as their personal cars and drove them to many events. The only picture of these cars racing is UHP832 at Silverstone which won the fastest time, after 3 years the race team was abandoned and all the cars were given back to Daimler, who sold them on. The racing drivers picked by Ken included Reg Parnell and George Abecassis.

The first production prototype Roadster was built on chassis '85003' and registered 'OKV 699' on 20th May 1954, and is much closer in design and specification to the actual production models than is this pre-prototype, which boasts numerous unique features.

In December 1956 Daimler sold '85004' to a Mr Packwood Husselber. He was followed in 1957 by John Silverstone and in 1959 by Mr John Spurling, who would keep the Daimler until 1968. It was then that the car was rediscovered in Wisborough Green Garage and purchased from John Spurling by Mr Terence Reilly, who sold it on to Mr John Beal of Shoreham-by-Sea in Sussex. The Roadster prototype then disappeared from view until John Beal advertised it for sale in the Daimler & Lanchester Owners' Club's Driving Member magazine in April 1980. Apparently, there were no takers and the car remained with John Beal until 2009 when he sold it to Harold Wilson. The prototype came with its original logbook and after collection was got running the following day. Currently in 'barn find' condition, this unique piece of Daimler history wants only for a sympathetic new owner to return it to the road.

The full story of '85004' is told in the illustrated hardback book Daimler Conquest Roadster and New Drop Head Coupé by Dennis Mynard and Harold Wilson (copy with car).


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