As Daimler developed its range of mid-sized saloons (Conquest and Conquest Century) into the fifties, the previous line of mid-sized cars was growing into a collection of quite large machines.
The chassis of the Consort was developed in 1954 into the Regency Mk II (the 3-litre Regency, retrospectively known as the ‘Mk I’, was virtually stillborn in 1950, although its chassis carried a number of attractive specialist bodies).
The Regency Mk II was offered with a choice of 3.5- and 4.5-litre six-cylinder engines, and again variations on the themes were also available. Apart from limited-production bodies such as the Hooper ‘Empress’, there was also the Regency Sportsman, with a four-light body and swoopy rear-end treatment giving it a most distinctive air.
The model was later upgraded to give improved performance, and its 104mph top speed inspired its new name: the One-O-Four.
Again, there were the regular variants, plus a model that today would have the liberationists picketing the factory: the Lady’s Model. This was a basic One-O-Four, but its interior was lavishly equipped with such niceties as power windows, a built-in vanity case complete with make-up, slide-away notepad with gold pen, travelling rug, umbrella, fitted suitcases, fully equipped picnic hamper, torch, sunglasses — and much more.
In 1956 Daimler offered the option of automatic transmission on its One-O-Four range, foreshadowing the death within two years of the famous Daimler fluid flywheel and preselector drive system.
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