Daimler Twenty-Two

The Daimler 22 was a full-size luxury car first shown by Daimler in April 1902 at The Automobile Club's Exhibition in London's Agricultural Hall, where the King's not quite finished car was reported to be the chief attraction. Daimler dropped its many older low powered designs to concentrate on this 22 horsepower model and a pair of 9 and 12 horsepower cars of the same design but lighter construction. Developed by Percy Martin, then works manager, the new range was 25 to 30 percent lighter than its predecessors, with a lowered and more rigid chassis frame, easier steering and a build cost 17 percent lower. Deliveries began in July and steady production in November 1902. Its 4.5 litre four cylinder side valve engine produced 22 hp at 720 rpm, giving 40 to 50 mph, with petrol fed by gravity from a rear tank.