Topic: Solved - NEH 1764: 1959 Daimler DN250 prototype replica based on Vauxhall Cresta

[Carnut]

Identify this car correctly for 1 point:

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[Manuel]

Daimler

[Carnut]

Daimler

It does have a Daimler grille but there's a lot more to the answer than that!

[Carnut]

Experts?

[max]

Any Vauxhall connection?

[Carnut]

Any Vauxhall connection?

Yes there is!

[max]

Mule for the PA Cresta, then.

[Carnut]

Mule for the PA Cresta, then.

Good guess, in that the bodywork is adapted from a PA Cresta.
But other than that there is no Vauxhall connection!

[Carnut]

Mule for the PA Cresta, then.

Good guess, in that the bodywork is adapted from a PA Cresta.
But other than that there is no Vauxhall connection!

Actually I believe it is also mechanically complete PA Cresta.  **
So, the question is, why does it have the Daimler grille Manuel identified?
What's the Daimler connection?

**I was wrong - it's not!

[max]

OK - Daimler DN250, "a replica of Daimler's last-known prototype saloon car before the company was taken over by Jaguar". From the internet page I can't make out how much of a replica the "replica" actually is.

[Carnut]

OK - Daimler DN250, "a replica of Daimler's last-known prototype saloon car before the company was taken over by Jaguar". From the internet page I can't make out how much of a replica the "replica" actually is.

Yes - very good.
It is a a replica of the very last prototype made by Daimler before they were taken over by Jaguar and it was destroyed.  It was called the DN250 and in 1959 they used an adapted Vauxhall Cresta PA as a basis; this car is a replica of that last prototype, also using a PA Cresta body.

It was created by Roderick Ramage, and since he has obviously invested a great deal of time in this it may well be accurate;  I couldn't say as I don't know what the original looked like, but he has copied the interior, one assumes the exterior and fitted the same 2.5 litre Daimler V8 engine.  Quite how he could ruin the whole effect with those wing mirrors is something of a mystery to me, but as far as I can see he's made an accomplished job of it, as per the pictures below:

[barrett]

I have seen photos of clay styling models of the original car and this does appear to be pretty accurate on the whole. Certainly an interesting recreation that I'm glad somebody has taken the time and money to create, but the modern rear lights and wing mirrors are completely out of character with the rest of the car and really spoil the entire thing. A real shame.

[nicanary]

This is the styling buck.