Daimler · 1902–1903

Daimler Twenty-Two

The Daimler 22 was a full-size luxury car first displayed by Daimler in April 1902 at The Automobile Club’s Exhibition in London's Agricultural Hall. Daimler had elected to drop their multiple old low powered designs and restrict themselves to this 22 horsepower and a pair of 9 or 12 horsepower cars to the same design as the 22 but more lightly constructed. The King’s not quite finished new Daimler 22 was reported to be the chief attraction of the show. The 22 horsepower cars were geared to run at about 40 to 50 miles per hour when the engine was running at normal speed. The following January 1903 Daimler, having earlier dropped the 9 hp, replaced their 12 with a 14-horsepower car making a range of just two vehicles. In January 1904 Daimler introduced a wholly new range of four cars including a 3.8-litre 18/22.

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New range

The 4½-litre 22, and its 3.4-litre stablemate the 12, were developed and their construction organised by Percy Martin then works manager. The twin-cylinder 9 hp car was soon dropped. Although they were first displayed in April deliveries did not begin until July and a steady production stream did not eventuate until November 1902. These new models were the product of the board's decision to end production of old type cars and restrict the range to two or three models with standardised interchangeable components. This new range was between 25 and 30 per cent lighter than their preceding equivalents and had much improved speed and hill-climbing power. All the wheels were now the same size. The redesigned steering helped to make them easier to drive. The lowered chassis frame increased the cars' stability and made entry easier. The more rigid chassis frame improved the alignment of the transmission system. Finally this new model cost 17 per cent less to manufacture than its predecessor. Bodies. Standard bodies were built in Daimler's own body department which would also provide bespoke bodies on different wheelbases to special order. Chassis were made available to customers' own coachbuilders. The same body was used on the 22 hp as on the 9 and 12 hp chassis. Engine. The 4-cylinder, 4½-litre side-valve engine is a pair of cast iron twin-cylinder blocks bolted to an aluminium crankcase cast in upper and lower halves. It develops 22 hp at 720 rpm at which speed in top gear the car should be running at between 40 and 50 mph. The engine's governor regulates by suspending the action of the exhaust valves consecutively. There are also throttle valves under the control of the driver. The four forward speeds are selected by one lever, reverse by a small lever on the footboard. Th

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Specifications

name: Daimler 22 hp
Manufacturer: Daimler Motor Company
Production: July 1902 – December 1903
Assembly: United Kingdom: Coventry
Designer: Percy Martin (works manager), E W Lewis (chief draughtsman)
Class: Full-size luxury car (F)
Layout: front engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related: 9 hp & 12 hp (1902), 14 hp (1903)
Engine: 4503 cc, electric ignition, hot tube backup, vertical inline 4-cylinder
Transmission: leather-lined clutch, flexible jointed splined propeller shaft to 4-speed and reverse gearbox enclosed as a unit with differential and countershaft in an aluminium casting. final drive by sprockets and side chains.
Wheelbase: TA22 90 in, — others to special order, track 55½ in (1410) mm
Kerb weight: 2500 lb bare chassis
Predecessor: Daimler 16/18
Successor: Daimler 18/22
sp: uk