Grace's Guide To British Industrial History

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Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 167,711 pages of information and 247,105 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 147,919 pages of information and 233,587 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

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Daimler has, since 1896, been the motor car marque of the British Daimler Motor Company, based in Coventry.  
[[Image:Im1893EnV75-p322.jpg|thumb| 1893. ]]
[[Image:Im1894EnV78-p47.jpg|thumb| 1894. Daimler Victoria.]]
[[Image:Im1894EnV78-p47a.jpg|thumb| 1894. Daimler Phaeton]]
[[image:Im1895A-p090.jpg |thumb| 1896. Daimler Carriage of the Sultan of Morocco. ]]
[[image:Im1896A-p257.jpg |thumb| 1896. [[T. R. B. Elliot]] and The First Daimler Autocar in Scotland. ]]
[[image:Im1896A-p516aa(2).jpg |thumb| 1896.  ]]
[[image:Im1896A-p639.jpg |thumb| 1896. Two motor-driven vehicles in the procession at the Lifeboat Demonstration, illustrative of "Coventry's new industry". ]]
[[image:Im1896A-p656a(1).jpg |thumb| 1896. The First British-Built Daimler Autocar.]]
[[Image:Im189705AJ-Daimler.jpg|thumb| May 1897.]]
[[Image:Im1899EnV87-p627.jpg|thumb| 1899. ]]
[[image:Im1900AV5-p1145 Daimler.jpg|thumb| 1900. The 'Kimberley'. Daimler voiturette.]]
[[image:Im1900AV5-p1185 Daimler.jpg|thumb| 1900. ]]
[[image:Im1900AV5-p1188 Daimler.jpg|thumb| 1900. ]]
[[image:Im1900AV5-Daimer Motor.jpg|thumb| 1900.]]
[[Image:Im1900APB-Daimler.jpg|thumb| 1900. ]]
[[image:Im1900AV5-Daimler 1205.jpg|thumb| 1900. 12 h.p. Daimler owned by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. (Edward VII).]]
[[image:Im1900AV5-p551 Daimler.jpg|thumb| 1900.  A new "light Daimler".]]
[[Image:Im19000714AC-Daim.jpg|thumb| July 1900. ]]
[[image:Im19030110AC-Daim.jpg|thumb| January 1903.]]
[[Image:Im19030221AC-Daim.jpg|thumb| February 1903. ]]
[[image:Im1904MotAnn-Daim4.jpg|thumb| 1904. ]]
[[image:Im050218Auto-Daimler.jpg|thumb| February 1905 ]]
[[Image:Im060331MN-Daimler.jpg|thumb| March 1906. ]]
[[Image:Im061201MN-Daimler.jpg|thumb| December 1906. ]]
[[image:Im061208MN-Daimler.jpg|thumb| December 1906. ]]
[[image:ImEnV101-p446.jpg|thumb| 1906.]]
[[image:ImEnV101-p447a.jpg|thumb| 1906.]]
[[image:ImEnV101-p447b.jpg|thumb| 1906.]]
[[image:ImEnV101-p447c.jpg|thumb| 1906.]]
[[image:ImEnV101-p447d.jpg|thumb| 1906.]]
[[image:ImEnV101-p447e.jpg|thumb| 1906.]]
[[image:ImEnV101-p447f.jpg|thumb| 1906.]]
[[image:ImEnV101-p450a.jpg|thumb| 1906.]]
[[image:ImEnV101-p450b.jpg|thumb| 1906.]]
[[image:ImEnV101-p450c.jpg|thumb| 1906.]]
[[image:ImEnV101-p450d.jpg|thumb| 1906.]]
[[Image:Im1911EnV111-p672.jpg|thumb| 1911. ]]
[[Image:Im1911EnV111-p672b.jpg|thumb| 1911. ]]
[[Image:Im1912RAC-Daimler.jpg|thumb| 1912.]]
[[Image:Im1913Eing-Daimler3.jpg|thumb| 1913. 7-70hp engine. ]]
[[Image:Im1913Eing-Dainler.jpg|thumb| 1913. 5-90hp engine. ]]
[[Image:Im1914RAC-Daimler.jpg|thumb| 1914. Hire Dept. ]]
[[Image:Im19160412MTra-Daimler.jpg|thumb| April 1916. ]]
[[Image:Im19160913MTra-Daimler.jpg|thumb| September 1916. ]]
[[image:Im1917RACHbk-Daimler.jpg|thumb| 1917. ]]
[[image:Im19200110AC-Daim.jpg|thumb| January 1920.]]
[[image:Im19221007MC-Daim.jpg|thumb|  October 1922.]]
[[image:Im19221104MC-Daim.jpg|thumb| November 1922.]]
[[Image:Im20110721Brew-XU177.jpg|thumb| 1923. Daimler Bottle Car. Reg No: XU 177. Exhibit at the [[National Brewery Centre]]. ]]
[[Image:Im20110721Brew-XU.jpg|thumb| 1923. Daimler Bottle Car. Reg No: XU 177. Exhibit at the [[National Brewery Centre]]. ]]
[[Image:Im19260813Auto-Daimler3.jpg|thumb| August 1926. ]]
[[image:Im1930v150-p0479a.jpg|thumb| 1930.]]
[[image:Im1930v150-p479.jpg|thumb| 1930.]]
[[image:im20180223RB-Daimler.jpg |thumb|  Pay/pass token (reverse side).]]
[[image:im20180223RB-Daimler2.jpg |thumb| Pay/pass token (front side).]]
[[image:Im19350504CL-Daimler2.jpg|thumb| May 1935.]]
[[image:Im19350504CL-Daimler.jpg|thumb| May 1935.]]
[[Image:Im1937v164-p480.jpg ‎|thumb| 1937. ]]
[[Image:Im19370914M-Daimler.jpg|thumb| September 1937. Mr and Mrs J. R. Alexander, director of Daimler.]]
[[image:Im19440121ISDN-Daimler.jpg |thumb| January 1944. ]]
[[image:Im19440303ISDN-Daimler.jpg |thumb| March 1944. ]]
[[image:Im19470207CM-Daimler.jpg|thumb|February 1947.]]
[[image:Im19491007AC-Dai.jpg|thumb| October 1949.]]


The company was a subsidiary of [[BSA]] from 1910 up until 1960, when it became part of [[Jaguar]] and the brand was used for their luxury models. It is now a subsidiary of the Premier Automotive Group, making it part of [[Ford]].
[[image:Im196010MotSC-Daimler.jpg |thumb| Oct 1960. ]]
The British '''Daimler Motor Company''' of Coventry, not connected with [[Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft]].


As of 2006, its production is limited to only one model, the Daimler Super Eight.
'''See also
* [[Daimler: Buses]]
* [[Daimler: Cars]]
* [[Daimler: Commercial Vehicles]]
* [[Daimler: Military Vehicles]]


The name Daimler is used by two completely separate groups of car manufacturers. The history of both companies can be traced back to the German engineer Gottlieb Daimler, who patented an engine design in the late 19th century, built (together with Wilhelm Maybach) the first motorcycle in 1885 and built the first 4-wheeled car in 1889. This was the origin of the Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft ("Daimler Motors Company") which built cars from the 1890s onwards and sold licenses of its designs and patents to others.
'''The History


The licence granted to the Daimler Motor Company included the right to use the Daimler name in Great Britain. Gottlieb Daimler died in 1900, having sold licences to use the Daimler name in a number of countries. Emil Jellinek had legal problems selling German Daimlers in France and put it to Daimler Germany that he would put in a large order if they would make a car to order for him bearing his daughter's name. These cars proved enormously popular. Daimler Germany now realised the problem of having sold licences to use the Daimler name, and to avoid any further confusion and licensing troubles, the name Mercedes was adopted for all the cars built by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft itself, in 1902, while the name Daimler was last used for a German built car in 1908.
1896 February 17th. The public were invited to subscribe for shares in the Daimler Motor Company formed to take over from the [[Daimler Motor Syndicate]]. In the prospectus the directors were named as: <ref>The Times, Saturday, Feb 15, 1896</ref> <ref>The Standard (London, England), Monday, February 17, 1896</ref>
* [[Gottlieb Daimler]]
* [[Evelyn Ellis]]
* [[William Wright (c1828-1900)|William Wright J.P.]]
* [[J. H. Mace]]
* [[Henry Sturmey]]
* [[H. E. Sherwin Holt]]


* 1893 The UK patent rights to the Gottlieb Daimler's engine were purchased in 1893 by Frederick Simms, who formed a new company, the "Daimler Motor Syndicate".  
Agreement had been entered into with [[British Motor Syndicate]] to acquire UK licences to patents from Daimler<ref>The North-Eastern Daily Gazette, 15 February 1896</ref>.


* 1896 Simms and [[Harry Lawson]] moved into car production in the city of Coventry as the "Daimler Motor Company".
After the formation of the company they appointed:
* [[Harry Lawson]] Chairman
* [[J. S. Bradshaw]] (James A. Bradshaw?)
* [[Charles Osborn]] became the first company secretary
* [[James S. Critchley]] was employed as Works Manager until he joined [[British Electric Traction Co]] in 1900.
* [[Frederick Simms]] Consulting Engineer
* [[Arthur J. Drake|A. J. Drake]] was sub-manager
* [[Johann van Toll| J. Van Toll]] was Marine Engineer
* [[A. H. D. Altree]] as Secretary
* [[Otto Mayer]] from Cannstatt to assist


* 1907 The fluted radiator grille has been the Daimler marque's distinguishing feature. The company acquired a Knight Engine licence in 1908 to build sleeve valve engines for its automobiles.
1896 April. The company purchased a lease for sixty-two and a half years on the former premises of the [[Coventry Cotton Spinning and Weaving Co]] which occupied a site of 13 acres with a newly re-build factory. The premises were four stories measuring 162 ft. by 102 ft. and was in 12 acres of ground. Part of the site was then immediately sold to the [[Great Horseless Carriage Co]] for more than the total cost of the site. <ref> Vital to the Life of the Nation. Published 1946. </ref>


* 1910 It was part of Birmingham's BSA group of companies, producing military vehicles as well as cars.
1896 The [[Great Horseless Carriage Co]] was formed by [[Harry Lawson]] with the objective of gathering under one management all the patent rights held by the [[British Motor Syndicate]] other than those related to cycles; these included [[Daimler]], [[De Dion-Bouton| De Dion]], [[Leon Bollee| Bollee]], [[Kane-Pennington]], [[Blumfield and Garrard| Garrard and Blumfield]] and [[Leon Serpollet| Serpollet]] systems<ref>The Pall Mall Gazette 19 May 1896</ref>.


* 1914 In addition to cars, Daimler produced engines for the very first tanks ever built in 1914 ("Little Willie" and "Big Willie"), a scout army vehicle, engines used in aeroplanes, ambulances, trucks, and double-decker buses. In late 1920s, it, together with [[Associated Equipment Company]], formed the Associated Daimler Company to build commercial vehicles.
1896 The first Coventry Daimler engine built by [[William Alfred Perkins]] and was reportedly still operational 50 years later


* 1920 October. Exhibited at the Commercial Motor Exhibition at Olympia with with a tipping lorry of 2 tons.
1897 March. Long article trying to defend against [[Daimler]] and the [[Great Horseless Carriage Co]] against some poor reports of the company progress. Includes images of the internals of the works.<ref>[[The Autocar 1897/03/06]]</ref>


* 1930 Daimler, through [[BSA]], took over [[Lanchester]] Motor Company, which had the distinction of having been the maker of Britain's first production car.
1897 March. Report of shareholders meeting. Long article.<ref>[[The Autocar 1897/03/13]]</ref>


During World War II, Daimler production was geared to military vehicles. After that war, Daimler produced the Ferret armoured car, a military reconnaissance vehicle, which has been used by over 36 countries.
1897 Shipping fifty 'machines with motor covers' or chassis to [[Stirling's Motor Carriages]] for £13,000


Daimler was a proponent of the preselector gearbox. This was used in passenger vehicles and military vehicles.
1897 Received order for a hundred chassis from the [[London Motor Van and Wagon Co]]


The first was the "Golden Daimler", an opulent touring limousine, in 1952, "Blue Clover, a two door sportsmans coupe, in 1953 the "Silver Flash" based on the 3 litre Regency chassis, and in 1954 "Stardust, redolent of the "Gold Car", but based on the DK400 chassis.
1897 March. See [[Daimler: 1897 Extraordinary General meeting]]


* 1951 Jack Sangster had sold [[Ariel]] and [[Triumph]] to [[BSA]], and joined their board. The Docker Daimler era was soon to end. By 1956 Sangster was voted in as the new Chairman, defeating Sir Bernard 6 to 3, and he promptly made Edward Turner head of the automotive division. This then included [[Ariel]], [[Triumph]], and [[BSA]] motorcycles, as well as Daimler and [[Carbodies]] (London Taxicab manufacturers). Turner then designed the Daimler SP250 and Majestic Major, with lightweight hemi head Daimler 2.5 & 4.5 Litre V8 Engines. Under Sangster Daimler's vehicles became a little more performance oriented.
1897 A. H. D. Altree became the General Manager and [[Ernest Instone]] was appointed Secretary.


Daimler struggled after the War, producing too many models with short runs and limited production, and frequently selling too few of each model, while [[Jaguar]] seemed to know what the public wanted and expanded rapidly.
1897 March? First complete Daimler delivered to [[Ernest Estcourt]]


==Sources of Information==
1897 Early Daimler delivered to [[T. R. B. Elliot]]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimler_Motor_Company] Wikipedia
 
* The Engineer of 22nd October 1920 p400
1897 June. Employing 223 persons and just completed extension measuring 120ft x 130ft. Producing three cars per week and have 350 orders on hand. Also producing motors for marine and stationary use.
 
1897 June. First parcel van driven from Coventry to London by Bush and Gadschen.<ref>[[The Autocar 1897/06/19]]</ref>
 
1897 June 26th. Long and detailed letter to 'The Autocar' from [[Henry Sturmey]], the acting chairman, mainly about how unfairly he has been treated by 'The Engineer'. Sturmey is coincidentally the editor of 'The Autocar' at this time.<ref>[[The Autocar 1897/06/26]]</ref>
 
1897 August. [[Major Montgomery of Winchester|Major-General Montgomery]] of Winchester collected his 4 hp Cranford wagonette and was later stated to be the first gentleman unconnected with the motor industry to purchase an English-built carriage
 
1897 October 12th. Evelyn Ellis and his daughter Mary, James Critchley and Johann van Toll drove to the top of Worcestershire Beacon (1,395 ft) in the Malverns
 
1897 September. Sturmey took delivery of the ninth car built completely by Daimler and then became the first person to drive from John o' Groats to Land's End.
 
1897 Supplied [[Carter, Paterson and Co]] with their first motor vehicle - a 5.5 hp twin-cylinder van.
 
1897. [[Frederick Simms]] resigned as Consulting Engineer and [[Harry Lawson]] (7th October) as Chairman.
 
1897 October. Second OGM and first AGM. Details of accounts. Twenty-four vehicles are in the workshops at all times and progress through in batches of six. Finishing vehicles at rate of four per week. Have supplied nine parcel vans and have more orders for them.<ref>[[The Autocar 1897/10/09]]</ref><ref>[[The Autocar 1897/10/23]]</ref>
 
1897 Exhibited at the [[1897 Stanley Cycle Show]]. Took the largest part of the King Edward Hall. Showed 'Marseilles Phaeton', a chassis for others to add bodies', a parcels van built for [[Iliffe and Sons]], Henry Sturmey's car, a Siamese Phaeton and a Knightley Victoria. <ref>The Autocar. 27th November 1897</ref>
 
1898. Gottlieb Daimler (in July) and J. A. Bradshaw resigned
 
1898 28th February. Reported to have delivered over the past nine month some 89 complete vehicles of motors and frames and 24 single engines being £23,000 of sales
 
1898 May. Dr. W. W. Barrett of Park Crescent, Hesketh Park, Southport took delivery of a Knightley Victoria - one of the first doctors to use a car on the road.
 
1898 May 7th. Trial run of the Daimler launch (2x 10-hp motors) built by [[Paul, Jones and Son]] to designs by [[J. and H. M. Paterson]], Greenock. Mention of A. H. D. Altree, general manager, and Van Too, chief engineer of the launch department.<ref>[[The Autocar 1898/05/14]]</ref>
 
1898 June. The Motor Mills were re-named as the Daimler Works
 
1898 August. EGM meeting report. [[Roger Bannister]] proposed to be chairman but the company is against this. [[W. B. Avery]] is the largest shareholder in the company. Avery, [[Arthur Rawlinson]] and [[Herbert A. Leake]] appointed to a committee to investigate.<ref>[[The Autocar 1898/08/13]]</ref><ref>[[The Autocar 1898/08/20]]</ref>
 
1899 2nd AGM held. J. H. Mace presided. <ref>The Times, Friday, Jan 13, 1899</ref>
 
1899. February. A. H. D. Altree and E. M. C. Instone resigned from the board of directors and Evelyn Ellis and William Wright resigned by rotation and did not seek re-election.
 
1899. May. Henry Sturmey resigns.
 
1899 June. Extraordinary Meeting to update the the financial situation of the company. Present were:<ref>The Autocar 1899/07/01</ref>
 
* [[E. H. Bayley]], Director, Presided
* [[Edward Jenkinson| Edward G. Jenkinson]], Sir, Director
* [[J. H. Mace]], Director,
* [[H. E. Sherwin Holt]], Director,
* [[John Ware]], Secretary
* [[Harvey George]] Shareholder
* [[Henry Sturmey]] Shareholder
* [[ ? Heap]]
* [[Arthur Rawlinson]]
 
1900. [[Foster Pedley]] became General Manager and [[Percy Richardson]] the London Manager.
 
1900 December 21. '''Fourth AGM'''. Directors were E. H. Bayley (Chairman), [[Thomas Bayley]], J. H. Mace and Sherwin Holt.
 
1901 February. Thomas Bayley and Sherwin Holt resign as Directors. [[Sidney Straker]] who had acted as the Consulting Engineer resigned and was replaced by [[Herbert W. Bamber]]
 
1901. April 17. Edward Jenkinson elected as Chairman.
 
1901. October 23. [[Percy Martin]] joined as Works Manager.
 
1902. January. New depot at Brownlow Mews, Guildford Street opened.
 
1902. February. Prospectus to raise £60,00 shows directors as Edward Jenkinson, [[Edward Manville]] and [[Cecil Clement Longridge|C. C. Longridge]].
 
1902. April. H. W. Bamber resigned after just over one year to join British Electric Traction Co
 
1902. November 27. '''6th AGM''. Directors are Jenkinson, Longridge, Manville and [[J. M. Gorham|John Marshall Gorham]].
 
1903. April. Fire in the paint and finishing shop destroyed seven completed cars.
 
1903. Percy Richardson resigned as London Manager and [[U. Stratton]] replaced him. John M. Gorham re-joined the board of the company.
 
1904. Daimler purchased the buildings of the [[Motor Manufacturing Co (MMC)]] as it went in to liquidation for £14,000.
 
1904. December 8. '''8th AGM'''. To improve the company's finances it was sold to the '''Daimler Motor Company (1904) Ltd'''.
 
1905. At the AGM there we new directors - [[A. H. E. Wood]] and [[G. S. Barwick]]
 
1906. Jenkinson resigned as chairman and he was replaced by Manville.
 
1906 Daimler started [[Societa Anonima Officine de Luca Daimler]] in Italy.
 
1906. Bristol depot opened.
 
1906 Decision to enter commercial vehicle market using the 'Auto-Mixte' system. Planned to produce next year a 28, 30, 35 and 45 h.p. chassis.
 
1906. Percy Martin made a director.
 
1907. Employed 2,750 persons
 
1908. December. First issue of 'The Daimler Bulletin' issued.
 
The [[Knight Engine|Knight engine]] was developed further in England by Daimler.
 
1909. March. Extensive trials of the [[Knight Engine]] under the control of the RAC.
 
1909. Formed [[Societe Francais de la Daimler Motor Company]] based in Paris
 
1909. [[Frederick Lanchester]] joined as Consulting Engineer.
 
1910. Daimler was acquired by [[BSA]]. At that time the directors appointed were:
 
'''BSA
* [[Halewell Rogers]]
* [[Lincoln Chandler]]
* [[Albert Eadie]]
* [[F. Dudley Docker]]
 
''' Daimler
* [[Edward Manville]] Chairman
* [[A. H. E. Wood]]
* [[Percy Martin]] Managing Director
 
WWI. Made the 80 h.p. Gnome engine and the 70 h.p. Renault for the aeroplane industry. Produced the engine and transmission for the new military tanks. Produced shells in large numbers.
 
1919. Set up '''Daimler Hire Ltd.''' with a fleet of 250 cars and based at the old Prince's Skating Rink at Knightsbridge.
 
1921. Ernest Instone resigned after 24 years.
 
1926 [[AEC]] and '''Daimler''' entered into an arrangement to form the [[Associated Daimler Co]] which would be responsible for sale of chassis and engines.  The company was to be floated so that it would be free of the financial control of L.G.O.C. and therefore would be able to supply other companies <ref>The Times 25 June 1926</ref>. In fact the company ended up being wholly owned by UERC in order to completely separate the manufacturing and operating units <ref>The Times, 16 March 1927</ref>.  New works opened at Hanwell, Southall, west of London.
 
1927 The Daimler company was controlled by [[BSA]]
 
1928 Problems with the Daimler engines led to the break-up of the [[Associated Daimler Co]] into its 2 constituent parts (i.e. [[AEC]] and [[Daimler]]).
 
1929. [[Laurence Henry Pomeroy|L. H. Pomeroy]] appointed Managing Director having been the Chief Engineer. Percy Martin becomes Chairman.
 
1931. The [[Lanchester Motor Co]] is taken over.
 
1933. The sleeve-valve or [[Knight Engine]] is finally abandoned for the more conventional poppet valve type.
 
1939. Absorbed the [[Birtley Co]], [[Hooper and Co]] and [[Barker and Co (Coachbuilders)|Barker and Co]].
 
 
1960 The company, which had been a subsidiary of [[BSA]] since 1910, now became part of [[Jaguar]].  The Daimler brand was used for their luxury models.
 
Later became a subsidiary of the Premier Automotive Group, making it part of [[Ford]].
 
 
* Note: 1904. Gear-cutting machine built for them by [[Lanchester Motor Co]]. (Exhibit at Birmingham [[Thinktank]] museum)
 
 
 
== See Also ==
<what-links-here/>
 
== Sources of Information ==
<references/>
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimler_Motor_Company Wikipedia]
* Ian Allan - British Buses Since 1900 - Aldridge and Morris
* [[1961 Guide to Key British Enterprises: Motor, Motor-Cycle and Commercial Vehicle Manufacturers]]
* [[British Motor Cars 1950/51]]
* Daimler 1896-1946 by St. John C. Nixon. Published by G. T. Foulis in 1946
* Daimler Century by Lord Montagu and David Burgess-Wise. Published 1995. ISBN 1-85260-494-8
 
{{DEFAULTSORT: }}
[[Category: Cars]]
[[Category: Cars Pre 1901]]
[[Category: Commercial Vehicles]]
[[Category: Town - Coventry]]

Latest revision as of 09:03, 10 March 2025

1893.
1894. Daimler Victoria.
1894. Daimler Phaeton
1896. Daimler Carriage of the Sultan of Morocco.
1896. T. R. B. Elliot and The First Daimler Autocar in Scotland.
1896.
1896. Two motor-driven vehicles in the procession at the Lifeboat Demonstration, illustrative of "Coventry's new industry".
1896. The First British-Built Daimler Autocar.
May 1897.
1899.
1900. The 'Kimberley'. Daimler voiturette.
1900.
1900.
1900.
1900.
1900. 12 h.p. Daimler owned by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. (Edward VII).
1900. A new "light Daimler".
July 1900.
January 1903.
February 1903.
1904.
February 1905
March 1906.
December 1906.
December 1906.
1906.
1906.
1906.
1906.
1906.
1906.
1906.
1906.
1906.
1906.
1906.
1911.
1911.
1912.
1913. 7-70hp engine.
1913. 5-90hp engine.
1914. Hire Dept.
April 1916.
September 1916.
1917.
January 1920.
October 1922.
November 1922.
1923. Daimler Bottle Car. Reg No: XU 177. Exhibit at the National Brewery Centre.
1923. Daimler Bottle Car. Reg No: XU 177. Exhibit at the National Brewery Centre.
August 1926.
1930.
1930.
Pay/pass token (reverse side).
Pay/pass token (front side).
May 1935.
May 1935.
1937.
September 1937. Mr and Mrs J. R. Alexander, director of Daimler.
January 1944.
March 1944.
February 1947.
October 1949.
Oct 1960.

The British Daimler Motor Company of Coventry, not connected with Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft.

See also

The History

1896 February 17th. The public were invited to subscribe for shares in the Daimler Motor Company formed to take over from the Daimler Motor Syndicate. In the prospectus the directors were named as: [1] [2]

Agreement had been entered into with British Motor Syndicate to acquire UK licences to patents from Daimler[3].

After the formation of the company they appointed:

1896 April. The company purchased a lease for sixty-two and a half years on the former premises of the Coventry Cotton Spinning and Weaving Co which occupied a site of 13 acres with a newly re-build factory. The premises were four stories measuring 162 ft. by 102 ft. and was in 12 acres of ground. Part of the site was then immediately sold to the Great Horseless Carriage Co for more than the total cost of the site. [4]

1896 The Great Horseless Carriage Co was formed by Harry Lawson with the objective of gathering under one management all the patent rights held by the British Motor Syndicate other than those related to cycles; these included Daimler, De Dion, Bollee, Kane-Pennington, Garrard and Blumfield and Serpollet systems[5].

1896 The first Coventry Daimler engine built by William Alfred Perkins and was reportedly still operational 50 years later

1897 March. Long article trying to defend against Daimler and the Great Horseless Carriage Co against some poor reports of the company progress. Includes images of the internals of the works.[6]

1897 March. Report of shareholders meeting. Long article.[7]

1897 Shipping fifty 'machines with motor covers' or chassis to Stirling's Motor Carriages for £13,000

1897 Received order for a hundred chassis from the London Motor Van and Wagon Co

1897 March. See Daimler: 1897 Extraordinary General meeting

1897 A. H. D. Altree became the General Manager and Ernest Instone was appointed Secretary.

1897 March? First complete Daimler delivered to Ernest Estcourt

1897 Early Daimler delivered to T. R. B. Elliot

1897 June. Employing 223 persons and just completed extension measuring 120ft x 130ft. Producing three cars per week and have 350 orders on hand. Also producing motors for marine and stationary use.

1897 June. First parcel van driven from Coventry to London by Bush and Gadschen.[8]

1897 June 26th. Long and detailed letter to 'The Autocar' from Henry Sturmey, the acting chairman, mainly about how unfairly he has been treated by 'The Engineer'. Sturmey is coincidentally the editor of 'The Autocar' at this time.[9]

1897 August. Major-General Montgomery of Winchester collected his 4 hp Cranford wagonette and was later stated to be the first gentleman unconnected with the motor industry to purchase an English-built carriage

1897 October 12th. Evelyn Ellis and his daughter Mary, James Critchley and Johann van Toll drove to the top of Worcestershire Beacon (1,395 ft) in the Malverns

1897 September. Sturmey took delivery of the ninth car built completely by Daimler and then became the first person to drive from John o' Groats to Land's End.

1897 Supplied Carter, Paterson and Co with their first motor vehicle - a 5.5 hp twin-cylinder van.

1897. Frederick Simms resigned as Consulting Engineer and Harry Lawson (7th October) as Chairman.

1897 October. Second OGM and first AGM. Details of accounts. Twenty-four vehicles are in the workshops at all times and progress through in batches of six. Finishing vehicles at rate of four per week. Have supplied nine parcel vans and have more orders for them.[10][11]

1897 Exhibited at the 1897 Stanley Cycle Show. Took the largest part of the King Edward Hall. Showed 'Marseilles Phaeton', a chassis for others to add bodies', a parcels van built for Iliffe and Sons, Henry Sturmey's car, a Siamese Phaeton and a Knightley Victoria. [12]

1898. Gottlieb Daimler (in July) and J. A. Bradshaw resigned

1898 28th February. Reported to have delivered over the past nine month some 89 complete vehicles of motors and frames and 24 single engines being £23,000 of sales

1898 May. Dr. W. W. Barrett of Park Crescent, Hesketh Park, Southport took delivery of a Knightley Victoria - one of the first doctors to use a car on the road.

1898 May 7th. Trial run of the Daimler launch (2x 10-hp motors) built by Paul, Jones and Son to designs by J. and H. M. Paterson, Greenock. Mention of A. H. D. Altree, general manager, and Van Too, chief engineer of the launch department.[13]

1898 June. The Motor Mills were re-named as the Daimler Works

1898 August. EGM meeting report. Roger Bannister proposed to be chairman but the company is against this. W. B. Avery is the largest shareholder in the company. Avery, Arthur Rawlinson and Herbert A. Leake appointed to a committee to investigate.[14][15]

1899 2nd AGM held. J. H. Mace presided. [16]

1899. February. A. H. D. Altree and E. M. C. Instone resigned from the board of directors and Evelyn Ellis and William Wright resigned by rotation and did not seek re-election.

1899. May. Henry Sturmey resigns.

1899 June. Extraordinary Meeting to update the the financial situation of the company. Present were:[17]

1900. Foster Pedley became General Manager and Percy Richardson the London Manager.

1900 December 21. Fourth AGM. Directors were E. H. Bayley (Chairman), Thomas Bayley, J. H. Mace and Sherwin Holt.

1901 February. Thomas Bayley and Sherwin Holt resign as Directors. Sidney Straker who had acted as the Consulting Engineer resigned and was replaced by Herbert W. Bamber

1901. April 17. Edward Jenkinson elected as Chairman.

1901. October 23. Percy Martin joined as Works Manager.

1902. January. New depot at Brownlow Mews, Guildford Street opened.

1902. February. Prospectus to raise £60,00 shows directors as Edward Jenkinson, Edward Manville and C. C. Longridge.

1902. April. H. W. Bamber resigned after just over one year to join British Electric Traction Co

1902. November 27. '6th AGM. Directors are Jenkinson, Longridge, Manville and John Marshall Gorham.

1903. April. Fire in the paint and finishing shop destroyed seven completed cars.

1903. Percy Richardson resigned as London Manager and U. Stratton replaced him. John M. Gorham re-joined the board of the company.

1904. Daimler purchased the buildings of the Motor Manufacturing Co (MMC) as it went in to liquidation for £14,000.

1904. December 8. 8th AGM. To improve the company's finances it was sold to the Daimler Motor Company (1904) Ltd.

1905. At the AGM there we new directors - A. H. E. Wood and G. S. Barwick

1906. Jenkinson resigned as chairman and he was replaced by Manville.

1906 Daimler started Societa Anonima Officine de Luca Daimler in Italy.

1906. Bristol depot opened.

1906 Decision to enter commercial vehicle market using the 'Auto-Mixte' system. Planned to produce next year a 28, 30, 35 and 45 h.p. chassis.

1906. Percy Martin made a director.

1907. Employed 2,750 persons

1908. December. First issue of 'The Daimler Bulletin' issued.

The Knight engine was developed further in England by Daimler.

1909. March. Extensive trials of the Knight Engine under the control of the RAC.

1909. Formed Societe Francais de la Daimler Motor Company based in Paris

1909. Frederick Lanchester joined as Consulting Engineer.

1910. Daimler was acquired by BSA. At that time the directors appointed were:

BSA

Daimler

WWI. Made the 80 h.p. Gnome engine and the 70 h.p. Renault for the aeroplane industry. Produced the engine and transmission for the new military tanks. Produced shells in large numbers.

1919. Set up Daimler Hire Ltd. with a fleet of 250 cars and based at the old Prince's Skating Rink at Knightsbridge.

1921. Ernest Instone resigned after 24 years.

1926 AEC and Daimler entered into an arrangement to form the Associated Daimler Co which would be responsible for sale of chassis and engines. The company was to be floated so that it would be free of the financial control of L.G.O.C. and therefore would be able to supply other companies [18]. In fact the company ended up being wholly owned by UERC in order to completely separate the manufacturing and operating units [19]. New works opened at Hanwell, Southall, west of London.

1927 The Daimler company was controlled by BSA

1928 Problems with the Daimler engines led to the break-up of the Associated Daimler Co into its 2 constituent parts (i.e. AEC and Daimler).

1929. L. H. Pomeroy appointed Managing Director having been the Chief Engineer. Percy Martin becomes Chairman.

1931. The Lanchester Motor Co is taken over.

1933. The sleeve-valve or Knight Engine is finally abandoned for the more conventional poppet valve type.

1939. Absorbed the Birtley Co, Hooper and Co and Barker and Co.


1960 The company, which had been a subsidiary of BSA since 1910, now became part of Jaguar. The Daimler brand was used for their luxury models.

Later became a subsidiary of the Premier Automotive Group, making it part of Ford.



See Also

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Sources of Information

  1. ↑ The Times, Saturday, Feb 15, 1896
  2. ↑ The Standard (London, England), Monday, February 17, 1896
  3. ↑ The North-Eastern Daily Gazette, 15 February 1896
  4. ↑ Vital to the Life of the Nation. Published 1946.
  5. ↑ The Pall Mall Gazette 19 May 1896
  6. ↑ The Autocar 1897/03/06
  7. ↑ The Autocar 1897/03/13
  8. ↑ The Autocar 1897/06/19
  9. ↑ The Autocar 1897/06/26
  10. ↑ The Autocar 1897/10/09
  11. ↑ The Autocar 1897/10/23
  12. ↑ The Autocar. 27th November 1897
  13. ↑ The Autocar 1898/05/14
  14. ↑ The Autocar 1898/08/13
  15. ↑ The Autocar 1898/08/20
  16. ↑ The Times, Friday, Jan 13, 1899
  17. ↑ The Autocar 1899/07/01
  18. ↑ The Times 25 June 1926
  19. ↑ The Times, 16 March 1927
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