1952 Daimler DB18 Hooper & Co. Drophead Coupe
British coachbuilder Hooper & Co. created only six examples of this extraordinary drophead coupe, with the very first commissioned for King George VI (Princess Elizabeth helped select it). This ultra-rare convertible represents one of the most exclusive Daimler variants ever produced.
The elegant bodywork features Daimler’s distinctive fluted radiator grille and streamlined aluminum panels. Hooper’s craftsmanship included a curved dashboard made from Australian camphor wood and luxurious appointments like a power-operated convertible top and power windows (advanced features for 1952).
Power comes from a 2.5-liter (153 cu in) inline six-cylinder engine producing about 70 horsepower, paired with Daimler’s fluid flywheel pre-selector gearbox. The DB18 chassis carried over its traditional front suspension design rather than adopting independent front suspension, which Daimler did not introduce until later models.
Hooper & Company, established in 1805 and based in Westminster, London, specialized in creating cost-no-object coachbuilt bodies for discerning clients. Only one of these particular Hooper-bodied DB18s is known to exist in the United States, making it an exceptionally rare piece of British automotive history.
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