5th August 2010, 15.28pm
We are sponsoring the classic car section of Minsterley Show and we shall have a Trade Stand there too, giving away a £20 Coed-y-Dinas Voucher to everyone who takes a Pre-Payment Funeral Plan and giving away one hundred trees.
Hope to see you at Minsterley Show
Aubrey
13th July 2010, 13.20pm - A great addition to the fleet
During the first week of July, we received a telephone call from the Church Warden at a local village church as they had an 1840’s Vintage Hand Drawn Wheel Bier, which was sitting out of doors and slowly falling apart. It arrived here, ceremoniously on a trailer, and as you will see from the photographs it is surprisingly complete. Agreed the wood work is in a poor state, but it is all there as a pattern. The framework, axles, springs and steering gear is very well preserved, so we shall begin our restoration, just as soon as possible.
Enclosed is a photograph of the Wheel Bier upon arrival, and I shall keep you updated of the progress.
Aubrey
12th July 2010 - A bit of a project
Back in the spring of 2009, I heard of a 1940’s Daimler DE36, eight cylinder 5.5 litre car, which had been bodied by Hooper’s as a Hearse.
From my enquiries I believe this is one of only two DE36 Hearses which survive out of the 70 or so that were ever built.
The car, which is the last straight eight engine vehicle ever built by a British manufacturer, was available from 1947 until 1953, and one very fine example which was specially built for His Majesty King George V1, and which is registered KGV 1, is kept in the Royal Museum at Sandringham. We believe that our car maybe the sister to that very motor car!
Our Daimler, registration number RAR 298, was ordered and built for the Co-operative Funeral Directors in Hertfordshire, and remained in service until mid 1973 when it seemed to have been laid up, due perhaps to a seized engine. It has languished in a shed on the south coast of England, until found and brought into Shropshire.
The engine, which is eight cylinders in line, was seized solid. Eight new Pistons, Cylinder liners, three con-rods and a full engine strip down and rebuild, carried out by Harry Fabian of Welshpool Engineering (who have been remarkable) and a full body restoration in house here at Aubrey Kirkham Funeral Directors, carried out by stalwarts, Peter, David and Bryan, ably supported by Geoff Band our Auto-Electrician, means that the car is now running and driving and will be MOT’ed later in time to appear at Minsterley Show on August 21st 2010. This will be the first proper outing of this really rare car since April 1973, Thirty Seven years ago.
The cars specification is eight cylinder,5,490 cc. Pre-selector gearbox, weighing in at Three Tons, with an all aluminum body, and Hooper bodied Hearse, with seating for three. P100 Headlamps, and twin Lucas Fog and Spot lights.
See you at Minsterley Show, or book the car for a Classic Event
