History Archives - Page 4 of 4 - The Royal Daimler Project

Goods no longer required

12/04/201224/09/2021 admin

by Laura Breen on 12 April, 2012

After news of the cancellation of the 1949 royal tour reached Australia, the Chifley government was now faced with the unenviable prospect of redirecting the final stages of planning for the tour – street displays, infrastructure, souvenir production and transport. A huge budget had been allocated to the celebrations, most of which had already been spent, to the dismay of many.

The Museum is lucky to hold rare examples of some of the commemorative material produced for the tour which wasn’t to be. This ‘Royal Tudor’ teacup was made by Barker Bros. of England, and was presumably shipped out to Australia in the months before the cancellation was announced.

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History, Significance

King George’s visit cancelled!

29/03/201224/09/2021 admin

by Laura Breen on 29 March, 2012

A man stands in front of twelve Daimler cars on a dock

This photograph of the Australian government’s completed order of Daimler cars, possibly taken by a proud factory employee in November 1948, is rendered all the more poignant in light of what happened next.

Each four-ton vehicle was fully equipped with every imaginable luxury – an electric-operated sun roof, cream Bedford cord and blue leather upholstery, a walnut dash, roller-sprung silk window blinds, engraved glass light fittings and ashtrays, thick fitted carpets and electric windows.

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History

The Museum mag features the Royal Daimler

07/03/201224/09/2021 admin

by Monica Lindemann on 7 March, 2012

The National Museum’s beautiful new magazine, the Museum, features a great article on the Royal Daimler. Did you know that it is estimated 75% of Australians came out to see the Queen during her 1954 Tour? That’s pulling power! The mag is available through our online shop and of course in the Museum’s onsite shop. Worth a look.

History, Significance

A Royal commission

02/03/201224/09/2021 admin

by Laura Breen on 2 March, 2012

A hand-drawn original plan for a 1948 Daimler DE 36hp landaulette. — *A hand-drawn original plan for a 1948 Daimler DE 36hp landaulette*

A little while ago, the Museum was lucky to acquire some archival material which sheds some more light on our Daimler’s early years.

Thanks to a vigilant enthusiast who alerted me when it came on the market last year, we were able to get hold of the original file created by London coachbuilders Hooper and Company when they were building our Daimler in 1948.

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History, Significance

Why Daimler?

23/02/201224/09/2021 admin

by Laura Breen on 23 February, 2012

Daimler DE36hp car under construction — *This is one of the images provided by John Lees. It illustrates the complex process by which the cars used for the South African royal tour were constructed.*

In contrast to the anonymous black 4WD used to whisk the Queen around Australia during her most recent visit, this unwieldy and attention-grabbing Daimler must seem rather a curious choice of royal transport.

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