Description Intriguing Barker-bodied DE27 reputedly supplied new to the Admiralty when Winston Churchill was First Lord; used post-war by the Iranian Embassy in London and later by the Fine Gael Party in Ireland; one of only 205 made The traditional Daimler characteristics of unmatched smoothness of take-off and silent running had long endeared the marque to the chauffeur-driven classes.

Indeed, throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the company's stately machines were preferred by the Royal Family to those of rivals Rolls-Royce.

Post-WW2, the straight-eight continued as Daimler's top-of-the-range DE36 model alongside the not-quite-so-big but equally imposing DE27.

The latter was powered by a 4.1-litre OHV straight-six and, like the straight-eight, featured a detachable cylinder head, pre-selector gearbox, coil spring independent front suspension and Girling hydro-mechanical brakes.

Most were bodied by Hooper or Barker in the limousine style, around 205 being sold before production came t...