Help tell the Australian story
by Kathi Zarka on 10 June, 2014
The chassis of this grand old car is now on display in the Museum’s Main Hall until 27 July 2014. Don’t miss this last opportunity to see the ‘craftsmanship behind the car’ before it goes back to the workshop for final conservation treatment. Continue reading “The Royal Daimler stripped back”
by Monica Lindemann on 29 May, 2014
Thanks to many generous Museum visitors making a contribution to donations boxes in the hall of the National Museum, the Royal Daimler Project fundraising total has now reached $41,078.80!
With less than $19,000 to raise we are feeling very confident of reaching the $60,000 target by the end of June, Her Majesty’s birthday month! Continue reading “Donations are growing”
by Vicki Humphrey on 22 May, 2014
The excitement is building as we prepare the Daimler chassis for a public viewing for the Queen’s birthday weekend. And the Daimler is getting its bling on! Continue reading “A little bit of bling and some very fine work!”
by Vicki Humphrey on 20 April, 2014
On the 7-8th April, Ainslie Greiner and Ian Stewart travelled to Melbourne to visit Crankshaft Rebuilders. They took the original block from the Royal Daimler with them. The idea was to get the block line-bored and the new crankshaft test fitted to the block – this allows for finalised fitting to the bearings. This also provided Ian with the necessary information to manufacture a new rear main oil seal carrier on his return to the Museum.
Continue reading “Crankshaft – the story so far”by Catrina Vignando on 28 March, 2014
The Royal Daimler Project is speeding along and we are getting close to our fundraising finishing line.
We have developed a video documenting some of the work we have been doing with the support we have received from members of the public. This video includes interviews with the National Museums’ automotive engineers and conservators and gives a sense of the work involved in bringing the Royal Daimler back to its former glory. Continue reading “Interview with the conservators”
by Catrina Vignando on 6 March, 2014
The dust covers came off, the conservation team were on hand and the engines came to life at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra. Continue reading “Rolling out the royal cars”
by Vicki Humphrey on 19 February, 2014
On the 13th February, I had the good fortune to visit the Coventry Transport Museum to see the Daimler de36 Landaulette in their collection. Many thanks to Stuart Wilkinson, the Chairman of the Transport for organising the visit, driving me there and accompanying me throughout the visit. As usual with the vehicle community, he was really generous with time and information and has continued to chase up Daimler related things for us. Thanks also to Peter Grant for putting me in touch with Stuart. This really is a car community effort.
Continue reading “Riding in Style”by Vicki Humphrey on 22 January, 2014
This strange looking object is just one part of the Daimler that represents the balance of pure conservation and minor restoration that will be characteristic of the work we are doing. In many discussions with visitors and on our blog we have mentioned our desire to stick – as far as possible – to a conservation approach. That is, retain and reuse as much of the original as possible. However, we always knew that there would be parts that would have to have extra work along with some that need to be replaced – the crankshaft is a fine example of the latter.
Continue reading “What is it?..and why does it affect our treatment approach?”by Catrina Vignando on 4 November, 2013
It was my pleasure to be one of the judges at the Centenary of Canberra Car Rally for the fashion on the field parade along with Nathan and Mel from Librarian Chic.
It was a tough decision picking the overall winners. Many wonderful entrants dressed in period costume to match their cars.
Continue reading “Car rally fashions on the field”by Catrina Vignando on 4 November, 2013
The Centenary of Canberra Car Rally was a great outing for the Museum’s Royal Daimler Project. On Sunday 20 October Chris, Laster, Kathi and I were on the lawns of Old Parliament House with the virtual Royal Daimler, our mascot – the waiving Queen, and lots of National Museum enthusiasm, balloons and lollipops.
Continue reading “Royal Daimler at the Car Rally”