 1948 Daimler DE 36 Hooper Drophead Coupe |
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Monterey, July 25, 2010
One of the largest and rarest convertibles ever built, the 1949 Daimler DE-36 "Green Goddess" Hooper Drop-Head Coupe, will be offered by Bonhams auction house at their world-famous Quail Lodge sale in August.
Formerly part of the famed Harrah Collection, this Daimler – no. 52802 – was subsequently purchased by the late Wes Lematta and his wife Nancy, who then donated it to the Le May Museum where it has been on exhibit since 2007. Meticulously restored to the highest standard in deep two-tone burgundy with rich white leather interior, the car was a class winner at the 1994 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Only seven of these immense and beautifully streamlined convertibles were ever constructed. (An eighth body was built later as a replacement for the prototype's body.) With coachwork by Hooper, the sweeping fender lines, unusual faired-in headlamps with clear covers, and tapering chrome body-side moldings distinguish the massive car's styling whose sumptuously appointed leather interior provides roomy accommodation for five. The 147-inch wheelbase drop-top is more than 20 feet long, nearly 80 inches wide, and weighs in at nearly three tons. The car is powered by a large straight-8 engine and has a semi-automatic fluid flywheel transmission.
Origin of Green Goddess
The original Daimler Green Goddess debuted as a show car at the 1948 Earl's Court British Motor Show in London and was the most expensive car on display. The result of a joint collaboration between Sir Bernard Docker, chairman at the time of Daimler's parent company, BSA, and designers at Daimler, the "Green Goddess" appellation came from the car's special jade green paintwork. Even though the six following replicas of this majestic Daimler were finished in varying colors, the "Green Goddess" designation is applied to any DE-36 bodied in the original show car's distinctive style.
The Dockers, particularly Sir Bernard's wife, Lady Norah, caused a sensation and sometimes scandal wherever they went. They were beloved by the press and paparazzi and known for indulgence in all forms, from fur coats and over-the-top champagne receptions to specially-customized Daimlers fitted with exotic materials like ivory and crocodile, lizard and zebra skins, even gold plating.
After the Earl's Court Show, the Green Goddess was handed over to Sir Bernard, a man who liked his toys large. He owned the biggest privately owned yacht in England and now his personal Daimler would ensure him similar dominance on the road. It was this car, incidentally, that Bonhams had the privilege to represent at last year's Quail Lodge auction.
Daimler's Royal History: Britain's First Car
Daimler was the first car to be manufactured in England. Introduced in 1897 the Daimler nameplate paid tribute to the German engine used in the very earliest examples but the British and German Daimler (now Daimler-Benz) concerns have always been separate entities. An on-going association with the British Royal Family began when the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) selected a Daimler for his first automobile in 1898 and shortly thereafter appointed the company the official motorcar of the British monarchy.
With most of the few surviving Green Goddess Daimlers already securely ensconced in permanent museum collections, the opportunity to acquire one of these legendary convertible coupes is an extremely uncommon occurrence. Bonhams automotive specialists predict this beautifully restored gem to fetch as much as $800,000.
Auction Details
Bonhams Auction of Exceptional Motorcars & Automobilia, to be held August 12-13 at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California. Lot | Year Make Models | Chassis # | Estimate in $ | 601 | 1951 FIAT 500C Topolino Sedan | 357015 | 20,000 - 30,000 | 602 | 1971 FIAT 500L | | 15,000 - 20,000 | 603 | 1959 BMW Isetta 300 Coupé | 427245 | 25,000 - 300,000 | 604 | 1957 Volkswagen 'Beetle' Oval Window | 1463931 | 15,000 - 20,000 | 605 | 1985 Renault R5 Turbo 2 | VF1822000F
0000148 | 32,000 - 38,000 | 606 | 1969 Porsche 912 Targa | 129010661 | 35,000 - 40,000 | 607 | 1959 Elva Mk V Sports Racer | 100/94 | 60,000 - 90,000 | 608 | 1904 White Model E Steam Touring Car | C1571 | 180,000 - 220,000 | 609 | 1962 Daimler Ferret Mk2/3 Amphibious Armored | 2970 | 25,000 - 35,000 | 610 | 1951 Porsche 356 Cabriolet | 5142 | 300,000 - 350,000 | 611 | 1950 Jaguar XK120 Competition Roadster | 660214 | 60,000 - 90,000 | 612 | 2004 Aston Martin DB AR1 Roadster | SCFAE623X3K
800055 | 120,000 - 140,000 | 613 | 1994 Jaguar Coupé XJ220 | SAJJEAEXBAX
220633 | 160,000 - 200,000 | 614 | 1971 Lotus Type 69 Formula Ford | 7169-4FF | 45,000 - 55,000 | 615 | 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Sport Phaeton | S368LR | 285,000 - 325,000 | 616 | 1957 Porsche 356A Speedster | 82874 | 160,000 - 200,000 | 617 | 1949 Talbot-Lago T26 'Record' Drophead Coupe | 101003 | 250,000 - 300,000 | 618 | 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Sports Phaeton | S 287 FP | 250,000 - 350,000 | 619 | 1908 Thomas Flyer Model F 4-60hp Tourer | F 1526 | 700,000 - 900,000 | 620 | 1936 Rolls-Royce 20/25hp Brougham de Ville | GBK 36 | 45,000 - 55,000 | 621 | 1961 Fiat-Abarth 1000 Bialbero Competition Coupe | 1128948 | 300,000 - 350,000 | 622 | 1948 Daimler DE-36 'Green Goddess' Drop-Head Coupe | 52802 | 700,000 - 800,000 | 623 | 1948 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet | 8H179433 | 65,000 - 85,000 | 624 | 1966 AC Shelby Cobra 427 MkIII | CSX3259 | 650,000 - 750,000 | 625 | 1915 Napier 16/22 hp Colonial Tourer | 3353 | 75,000 - 95,000 | 626 | 1910 Locomobile Model 30-L Speedster | 2030 | 110,000 - 130,000 | 627 | 1940 Mercury Series 09A Custom Coupe | 99A121762 | 150,000 - 200,000 | 628 | 1953 Maserati A6GCS Two-Seat Sports Racer | 2053 | | 629 | 1937 BMW 328 Roadster | 85079 | 550,000 - 650,000 | 630 | 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sedan | 300/186011 | 50,000 - 70,000 | 631 | 1963 AC Shelby Cobra 289 MkI | CSX2125 | 475,000 - 525,000 | 632 | 1963 Jaguar XKE Series 1 Lightweight Replica | 879127 | 150,000 - 175,000 | 633 | 1974 Porsche RSR 3.0 Carrera | 911-460-
9083 | 500,000 - 600,000 | 634 | 1932 Ford Model B Deluxe Fordor Sedan BB | 5175282 | 45,000 - 55,000 | 635 | 1932 'Lucenti Special' Two-Man Indianapolis Race Car | | 300,000 - 400,000 | 636 | 1964 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2 Liter Open Two Seater | 10243 | 75,000 - 85,000 | 637 | 1959 Lotus-Coventry Climax Type 15 Sports Two-Seater | 622-3 | 400,000 - 440,000 | 638 | 1943 North American SNJ-5 T-6 Trainer | | 120,000 - 150,000 | 639 | 1963 Imperial Crown Convertible | 9233195906 | 55,000 - 75,000 | 640 | 1930 Mercedes-Benz 38/250 7.1 Liter Supercharged 'SS' | 36257 | 2,000,000 - 3,000,000 | 641 | 1959 Austin-Healey 3000 MkI 2+2 with Hard Top | HBT7L/4577 | 50,000 - 60,000 | 642 | 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia GTC Spider | AR755343 | 60,000 - 80,000 | 643 | 1927 Mercedes-Benz 630 Model K Short-Chassis Conv. | 32019 | 450,000 - 550,000 | 644 | 1957 Dual-Ghia Convertible | 128 | 225,000 - 275,000 | 645 | 1968 Mercedes-Benz 600 SWB | 100-01212-
001196 | 50,000 - 60,000 | 646 | 1932 Ford Model 18 Deluxe Roadster | | 75,000 - 85,000 | 647 | 1920 Vauxhall D-Type Tourer | D3353A | 60,000 - 80,000 | 648 | 1967 Porsche 911S Sport Kit II | 307828S | 200,000 - 250,000 | 649 | 1953 MG TD Four-Seater | TD26606 | 50,000 - 75,000 | 650 | 1949 Mercury Sport Sedan | 9CM249349 | 25,000 - 35,000 | 651 | 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 198-042-10-
002619 | 600,000 - 700,000 | 652 | 1933 MG K3 Magnette Supercharged Roadster Special | K0326 | 180,000 - 220,000 | 653 | 1917 Mitchell Six Six Five-Passenger Touring | 75659 | 30,000 - 40,000 | 654 | 1952 Jaguar XK-120SE Open Two-Seater | 671685 | 110,000 - 120,000 | 655 | 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Tourer | S178FR | 165,000 - 185,000 | 656 | 1960 Chevrolet Corvette | 00867S
108205 | 55,000 - 65,000 | 657 | 1951 FIAT 500C Giardiniera Station Wagon | 500C-268428 | 55,000 - 60,000 | 658 | 1932 Buick Model 55 Sport Phaeton | 2627717 | 100,000 - 120,000 | 659 | 1951 Lea Francis 14 Estate "Shooting Brake Woody" | 8582 | 12,000 - 15,000 | 660 | 1934 Morris 10/4 Four-Door Tourer | 35TN40109 | 8,000 - 10,000 | 661 | 1910 White Model GA 20hp Tourer | | 30,000 - 40,000 | 662 | 1953 Jaguar XK-120 Roadster | S674061 | 18,000 - 24,000 | 663 | 1956 Ford Thunderbird | P6FH220491 | 18,000 - 24,000 | 664 | 1933 Lincoln Model KA Convertible Roadster | KA1114 | 125,000 - 150,000 | 665 | 1931 Stephens "64" Motor Yacht | | | 666 | 1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe | LSLE 43 | 120,000 - 150,000 | 667 | 1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Four-Door Tourer | GDX30 | 25,000 - 35,000 | 668 | 1985 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur LWB Series I | SCAZN42A6FCX
12128 | 20,000 - 30,000 |
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