Description
Daimler Lightweight 20 | 1937
Highlights:
– Rare pre-war convertible with classic British elegance
– Inline six-cylinder 2.7L petrol engine
– Cabriolet body with charming vintage lines
– Drives, shifts and brakes
– Dutch registration
The seller offers for sale this 1937 Daimler Lightweight 20 Cabriolet, a pre-war British touring car powered by a 2.7L straight-six petrol engine. With a rare open-top body and vintage proportions, it combines period charm with solid mechanical engineering typical of Daimler. It’s equipped with a non-standard transmission type (further details unknown), and is one of few surviving examples of its kind. There are no working indicator lights, brake lights, or general lighting, and the car lacks a valid inspection.
The exterior is in fair overall condition with some signs of age and prior repairs. The paint and bodywork may require attention or partial restoration. There could be areas where parts may need to be replaced, especially if the car is to be used more actively or shown. The interior shows wear consistent with age, including fabric and material fatigue that may warrant repairs or refurbishment. Mechanically, it is described as generally reliable, but certain components may need servicing or attention over time. This is not an untouched showpiece, but a usable and restorable classic from a distinctive era of British motoring.
Daimler, one of Britain’s oldest car manufacturers, was founded in 1896 and known for producing cars with royal associations and a reputation for refined engineering. The Daimler Lightweight 20 was produced during the interwar period, offering a balance of performance and luxury in a market recovering from economic downturns. Daimlers of this era often featured pre-selector gearboxes, robust inline-six engines, and carefully crafted interiors. While it operated in the shadow of Bentley and Rolls-Royce in terms of prestige, Daimler maintained a solid reputation for technical innovation, especially with their patented fluid flywheel and advanced chassis construction for the time.
The Lightweight 20 series, while not built in large numbers, represents a snapshot of British pre-war automotive history—offering moderate power, sophisticated ride quality for its time, and a dignified design suited to the upper-middle class of 1930s England. Survivors like this are rare and often found in the hands of collectors who appreciate their understated elegance and mechanical simplicity. Though it lacks modern conveniences, the car provides a tactile, analog driving experience that connects its driver to a bygone era of craftsmanship.
Condition of the Bodywork and Paint
3. Good: Repairs to the bodywork and paint may be needed, possibly requiring part replacements.
Condition of the Interior
3. Good: Shows typical wear; may require some repairs or part replacements.
Technical Condition
3. Good: Generally reliable, but may need some maintenance or repairs.
Overall Condition
3. Good Condition: May need some mechanical and cosmetic repairs, but can drive.
This item is sold on an as-is basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and descriptions of the listing are for information purposes only.
We encourage all potential bidders to inspect the vehicle before placing a bid. Please contact us by phone or email to schedule an appointment.
All auction cars offered have a reserve price. You have only won the item if the seller accepts your bid.
Price changes and errors reserved. The 14-day right of withdrawal does not apply to this auction.
This car is currently located in Noord-Brabant, Netherlands.
This car drives, brakes and shifts.
The car has a Dutch registration. The buyer is responsible for registration in his own country and responsible for delivery and collection of any vehicle purchased at the auction.
The description of this car is, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Route 66 Auctions requests a range of detail about the car from the seller and performs a level of due diligence. However, potential buyers must independently satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description. We strongly advise potential buyers to view or arrange inspections as well as conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to bid or buy.
Please note that it is not uncommon for classic or collectible cars to have received cosmetic repairs in the past, to rectify damage or refresh appearance, and this work may be hard to see even upon visual inspection. Unless there is an explicit statement by the seller to the contrary, please assume that any vehicle could have had bodywork or paintwork. Photographs may not reflect the exact true colour or exact full condition of the vehicle. It is a bidder’s responsibility to assure themselves of the colour and condition of a vehicle, including its interior and the existence of any remedial bodywork or paintwork, before committing to bid or buy.
