Car 'fit for a king' auctioned after barn find

An "extraordinarily rare" vintage car with potential royal connections has been discovered in a barn in Warwickshire.

According to classic car auctioneers Humbert & Ellis, the 1952 Daimler DE 36 limousine was found in "good, dry order", but "deserved to be brought back to top-drawer condition".

The firm said the vehicle was hand built by Daimler in 1951, with coachwork by Hooper & Co, based in London.

The auctioneers added their research suggested possibly only two were made, with the other having been built for King George VI.

The car was delivered new to Birmingham City Council for use as a mayoral car and remained in civic use until 1961, Humbert & Ellis said.

It was then sold to the Birmingham Co-operative Society before being bought by a private owner.

The build used a 1930s design, and was likely to have taken more than a year, the firm said.

It has a 5.4 litre, straight-eight petrol engine, and cost £6,137 when delivered.

It has a glass partition, walnut interior and additional fold-down seats and plush upholstery.

Auctioneer Jonathan Humbert said it was a "highly rare and quintessentially British car".

He added: "Having been hand built some 73 years ago, the car, although in good, dry order, is ripe for full recommissioning and deserves to be brought back to top-drawer condition as befits such a rare British beauty."

He added it would be great if it could remain in Birmingham.

The auction closes to bids on Monday.

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