1926 Daimler 45 HP Salon Cabriolet

This is one of the most famous Daimlers built; it is known as the 'Star of India' and was built for Major-General His Highness Samrajya Maharajadhiraja Bandresh Shri Maharaja Sir Gulab Singh Ju Deo Bahadur of Rewa. The Maharaja acquired the chassis at the cost of £1,400 and received coachwork from Barker & Company of London. The 'salon cabriolet' body was created using sheets of German silver formed over an intricate inner wooden frame. It had a single door on the passenger side, a large rear seat, fine leather upholstery, elaborate woodwork, and folding front bucket seats. The convertible top when lowered, disappeared under a tonneau. There were two separate sets of windows with one set of windows being of clear glass for use with the Maharaja aboard. The second set was of darkly smoked Triplex, so-called 'purdah' glass, for when the Maharaja's two wives were riding.

The dashboard housed a speedometer, tachometer, and gauges that measured air and oil temperature, a Radamax spark plug tester, and a gradient meter to measure the Daimler's angle on terrain. Along the running boards were rattan seats which were typically occupied by attendants and gun bearers. On the front fenders were electric 'boa constrictor' horns and two pairs of Lucas lights. In the back were lantern-like Toby taillamps.

When Gulab Singh's reign fell apart in 1942, he was exiled and deposed. The Daimler remained in the area until the early 1970s and was used by the Maharaja's successor and subsequently in religious events. At some point, it appears to have been given a restoration which may have been largely cosmetic and sympathetic.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2022