June 2024
We are pleased to share an update regarding the restoration of our 1909 Daimler TB22 Drophead! Less than one dozen of this early sleeve valve engine vehicle were ever produced and the one in our collection is the only known complete model remaining.
Since this was added to the collection, our restoration team has been hard at work on the Daimler (and others!) to restore this to its original integrity. While the vehicle ran upon purchase, it was not running very well, and the engine required a complete rebuild. It was recently mounted on the painted chassis.
According to our mechanic Andy, "this was a unique sleeve valve engine because it has piston rings on the pistons, but it also has rings on the cylinder head to seal it and the combustion chamber."
The next step in the restoration process is priming and painting the body of the vehicle. Body restoration will be done by Steve, who is "excited and looking forward to restoring this unique piece of automotive history."
There is plenty of work ahead for restoring this car, which is the oldest fully intact model of the Knight sleeve valve-engined Daimler. Our mechanic carefully rebuilt the sleeve valve engine and now our focus has been on restoration of the body with its first round of priming and sanding.
August 2024
The chassis left the Museum and was painted a version of sage green that was available during the time period. We are very pleased with how the color looks!
Once the chassis returned, our mechanic mounted the rebuilt engine and it is starting to look like an automobile.
Be sure to check this out, along with several other Knight sleeve valve-engine vehicles that have been restored the next time you visit!