20 Jun 01
The Conquest (it cost a whimsical £1066 new) was Daimler's bid for middle-class mass-market appeal in a sector that was becoming increasingly dominated by Jaguar. Lady Docker, infamous wife of company boss Sir Bernard Docker, claimed to have inspired the car. Limo-in-miniature styling looked dumpy on the short-wheelbase chassis, but the Conquest was far more agile than any previous Daimler and, in twin-carb 100 bhp Century form, had a 90 mph turn of speed. Pompously luxurious, as only a Daimler could be, it featured such refinements as automatic chassis lubrication and the famous Daimler fluid flywheel pre-selector gearbox.
