1932 Daimler 40/50 Double Six Sport Saloon

Offered by Gooding & Company | Monterey, California | August 19, 2012

This is one of my favorite cars in the world – ever. When I set up my calendar of cars to feature from the various Monterey sales (yes, I have a calendar of cars to feature – I have to, this year is completely overwhelming with the number of unbelievable cars on offer), this car wasn’t among them. It didn’t show up in Gooding’s “Auction Preview.” But when their full catalog came online, I stopped everything when I saw this was in the auction. I recognized it immediately as the 1999 Best in Show winner at Pebble Beach (perhaps, if you recognize it, it is from this as well).

The Double Six was first introduced by Daimler in 1926. They were over-engineered masterpieces and quickly became the car of choice for the British royal family. It is also one of only two models of cars that have used a sleeve-valve V12 (the other was a Voisin). This car has the 6.5-liter V12 making 150 horsepower. It could also do more than 80 mph.

This car has the longest wheelbase of any of the Double Sixes, coming in just a few inches shorter than a Bugatti Royale, which it somewhat resembles. The body was built by Martin Walker Ltd. and The styling is just amazing – the long hood, low roof and four suicide doors all add up to a somewhat menacing – and totally breathtaking – look.

Only 26 Double Sixes were built, but this car is truly one-of-a-kind. I’ve loved it since the first time I saw it after the ’99 Concours d’Elegance. You won’t find a better-looking four-door anywhere. The pre-sale estimate is $3,000,000-$4,000,000. For the complete description, click here. And for more from Gooding & Company in Monterey, click here.

Update: Sold $2,970,000.

1928 Daimler Double Six P150 Limousine

Offered by Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, Arizona, January 15-22, 2012

Daimler has one of the most confusing – and interesting – histories of any auto marque. The Double Six is the most glorious of all Daimlers. Daimlers have been used by British royalty since their inception (although the brand is dormant now and they’ve been blatant copies of Jaguars for a very long time).

This car has a 7.2 liter V12 (the “double six”) making 150 horsepower. It is the original engine and the original coachwork. This car is referred to as “the largest British car ever built” which may be true as it weighs in at a solid 8,100 lbs. Fellow Briton Colin Chapman would not approve.

Originally exported to Australia, this car turned up in the Harrah Collection at some point (doesn’t it seem like every rare old car was once parked in Reno?). A Double Six has won Best in Show at Pebble Beach twice since 1999. But both of those cars had lower, slightly more diabolical styling. Because this car lacks such styling, it will not bring similar prices. I’m going with a low ball number of about $350,000. But it could be more. More info on the car here and more from Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale here.

Update: Sold $1,155,000.