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Some of you may remember that I used to have a Daimler 250V8? Well, in my usual fashion, I decided I fancied a change and put it up for sale. I wasn't in a rush to sell, I loved the car to bits but just had the urge to move into something different for a bit.
My list of potential replacements included (but certainly wasn't exclusive to) numerous old American motors, Porsche 944s, Porsche 928s, BMW M535s, R129 Mercedes SLs, VW bay window vans, R32 Skylines, M100 Lotus Elans etc.....
Out of the blue I got a PM from adam3442 wondering if I would be interested in a swap for his Mercedes. He sent me a photo, and not a lot else, while I was on my way to a film shoot in France and we didn't get chance to talk until I was back a few weeks later. It was during a time when we were both very busy and it (through no ones fault) dragged on for a few months missing each others calls and always just catching the odd bit of info here or there. The most progress was made when we actually got to meet each other, finally, at Pendine during the hot rod speed trials. I hadn't had chance to take the Daimler and, likewise, he hadn't had chance to take the Mercedes. Nonetheless, we managed to have a sensible conversation about both cars and it was provisionally agreed that a swap might occur.
Another month passes and, finally, I find myself on a trip to Milton Keynes in the Daimler with my road trip buddy and ever helpful friend, James Vilerug (jrevillug). Loaded up with all the Daimler spares I could muster, the general idea was that we'd be returning in a Mercedes, as long as we were both happy with each others cars.
The trip was the longest single journey I'd ever done in the Daimler but I was confident it would take it all in its stride. It did....with no fuss or bother, despite being stupendously hot and the traffic was pretty dire most of the 145 miles there. I knew that the swap wasn't a dead cert but I also knew that if I was to be driving home in the Daimler, I wouldn't be unhappy. Basically, I couldn't lose.
Eventually we get to Milton Keynes and the sight of the Mercedes parked outside the house had pretty much sealed the deal for me. Adam, and his car tinkering partner Steve, have a look around the Daimler and take it for a drive while James & I do the same with the Merc. We agree that a swap is in order, shake on it then decide to park them next to each other for a 'farewell' photo before James & I start the trip back to Bristol. Two great cars, a swap I never ever saw coming and a new adventure ahead. This is exactly what classic car ownership is all about isn't it?
We say our farewells and head to the petrol station down the road to fill up and have a look at the timing/fuelling/running. It was running very poorly (this was made clear before I even considered the swap) and James figured he might be able to make it run a bit better with some underbonnet tweaks. The improvement was marginal but we pressed on anyway. Just the other side of Milton Keynes we pulled into a Tesco supermarket so that James could snag a couple of tools to further tinker with the engine. In my haste to get everything sorted with the Daimler, I'd forgotten to pack any tools!
Coming back out of the supermarket I was met by a policeman stood next to the car, his police car parked just behind. I was worried that my un-taxed and un-MOT'd car would have raised some interest? It was booked in for an MOT at 9am the next morning (hence needing to drive it back the night before) but the lack of ticket, and the absense of insurance on the Motor Insurance Database (I'm insured to drive any car, even if it's not insured), was making me think I might have some tough explaining to do?
I get to the car and immediately he asks if it's mine. As soon as I respond he beams a huge smile and asks if he can have a good look around it because he loves it! He even asks to sit in it, beaming like a kid. Of course I let him. He asks a barrage of questions and his partner even asks to sit in it too. To top it all, he asks if I could take a photo of him and his partner with the car. I was happy to oblige. He wishes me luck for the MOT and says he's really envious that he doesn't really get to have such fun adventures in such cool cars.
We say our goodbyes, James and I stuff some food down our throats and point the car towards Bristol once more. Running rough, a landmark is achieved when I manage the heady speed of 45mph on the juddery engine. It's going to be a long journey back, but I didn't care. I was already in love with this car. Smitten.
I think James was too?
My list of potential replacements included (but certainly wasn't exclusive to) numerous old American motors, Porsche 944s, Porsche 928s, BMW M535s, R129 Mercedes SLs, VW bay window vans, R32 Skylines, M100 Lotus Elans etc.....
Out of the blue I got a PM from adam3442 wondering if I would be interested in a swap for his Mercedes. He sent me a photo, and not a lot else, while I was on my way to a film shoot in France and we didn't get chance to talk until I was back a few weeks later. It was during a time when we were both very busy and it (through no ones fault) dragged on for a few months missing each others calls and always just catching the odd bit of info here or there. The most progress was made when we actually got to meet each other, finally, at Pendine during the hot rod speed trials. I hadn't had chance to take the Daimler and, likewise, he hadn't had chance to take the Mercedes. Nonetheless, we managed to have a sensible conversation about both cars and it was provisionally agreed that a swap might occur.
Another month passes and, finally, I find myself on a trip to Milton Keynes in the Daimler with my road trip buddy and ever helpful friend, James Vilerug (jrevillug). Loaded up with all the Daimler spares I could muster, the general idea was that we'd be returning in a Mercedes, as long as we were both happy with each others cars.
The trip was the longest single journey I'd ever done in the Daimler but I was confident it would take it all in its stride. It did....with no fuss or bother, despite being stupendously hot and the traffic was pretty dire most of the 145 miles there. I knew that the swap wasn't a dead cert but I also knew that if I was to be driving home in the Daimler, I wouldn't be unhappy. Basically, I couldn't lose.
Eventually we get to Milton Keynes and the sight of the Mercedes parked outside the house had pretty much sealed the deal for me. Adam, and his car tinkering partner Steve, have a look around the Daimler and take it for a drive while James & I do the same with the Merc. We agree that a swap is in order, shake on it then decide to park them next to each other for a 'farewell' photo before James & I start the trip back to Bristol. Two great cars, a swap I never ever saw coming and a new adventure ahead. This is exactly what classic car ownership is all about isn't it?
We say our farewells and head to the petrol station down the road to fill up and have a look at the timing/fuelling/running. It was running very poorly (this was made clear before I even considered the swap) and James figured he might be able to make it run a bit better with some underbonnet tweaks. The improvement was marginal but we pressed on anyway. Just the other side of Milton Keynes we pulled into a Tesco supermarket so that James could snag a couple of tools to further tinker with the engine. In my haste to get everything sorted with the Daimler, I'd forgotten to pack any tools!
Coming back out of the supermarket I was met by a policeman stood next to the car, his police car parked just behind. I was worried that my un-taxed and un-MOT'd car would have raised some interest? It was booked in for an MOT at 9am the next morning (hence needing to drive it back the night before) but the lack of ticket, and the absense of insurance on the Motor Insurance Database (I'm insured to drive any car, even if it's not insured), was making me think I might have some tough explaining to do?
I get to the car and immediately he asks if it's mine. As soon as I respond he beams a huge smile and asks if he can have a good look around it because he loves it! He even asks to sit in it, beaming like a kid. Of course I let him. He asks a barrage of questions and his partner even asks to sit in it too. To top it all, he asks if I could take a photo of him and his partner with the car. I was happy to oblige. He wishes me luck for the MOT and says he's really envious that he doesn't really get to have such fun adventures in such cool cars.
We say our goodbyes, James and I stuff some food down our throats and point the car towards Bristol once more. Running rough, a landmark is achieved when I manage the heady speed of 45mph on the juddery engine. It's going to be a long journey back, but I didn't care. I was already in love with this car. Smitten.
I think James was too?
