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2021 Shannons '40th Anniversary' Timed Online Auction
Lot
93

1912 Daimler TE20 4 Cylinder Tourer

$86,000

Melbourne

Sold

Specifications

Engine 20hp 201ci four cylinder
Gearbox Four-speed manual
Body Work Tourer
Colour Black
Interior Black
Trim Leather
Wheels Wire spoked
Brakes Rear drums only

Description

This lot is no longer available

The Daimler Motor Company Limited was founded in London by H. J. Lawson in 1896, with a manufacturing base in Coventry. After early financial difficulties, Daimler was purchased by the Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) in 1910, which also made cars under its own name before the Second World War. Daimler’s first car had left the works in January 1897, fitted with a Panhard engine, followed in March by the first Daimler-engined cars. By mid-year Daimler was producing three of its own cars a week and also making Léon Bollée cars under license. Lawson claimed to have made 20 cars by July 1897. These earliest Daimlers had a twin-cylinder, 1526cc engine, mounted at the front of the car, with a four-speed gearbox and chain drive to the rear wheels. Various models followed in ever greater engine capacity, mechanical sophistication, and performance, though production numbers were never high. Daimler’s TE20 of 1912 was primarily available in a limousine configuration, used by royalty and the wealthy around the world. Power came from a 3308cc in-line four cylinder engine with Knight valve gear, producing 15kW (20 hp) and driving the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox. Top speed was said to be 60 km/h (37 mph). Daimler’s trademark fluted radiator top was first seen in 1904 and developed from its use of heavily finned water-cooling tubes slung externally at the front of the early cars. Later, a more conventional, vertical radiator had a heavily finned header tank, and eventually these fins were echoed on the grille shell itself. Daimler TE20 production ended production in 1915 with 13 examples made, of which it is believed only four complete cars still exist.