6 June 2014
National Museum’s final fundraising push to restore Royal Daimler
Visitors to the National Museum of Australia during this Queen’s Birthday long weekend will have the rare opportunity to see the inner workings of the reconditioned chassis of the 1948 Daimler landaulette car, which was used by Queen Elizabeth II during her historic 1954 tour.
The Daimler landaulette was purchased by the National Museum in 2009 and has undergone extensive conservation ever since, with the restored chassis (under-car frame) on display in the National Museum’s Main Hall until July 27th.
'This is a rare opportunity to see the Royal Daimler chassis and observe the inner workings of this special vehicle before the body of the car is replaced over the engine,' said National Museum of Australia assistant curator, Laura Breen.
The chassis includes the transmission, wiring loom, brakes, wheels, tyres and steering.
A team of two conservators and three contract engineers have completely dismantled the car with parts repaired, reconditioned and, in some cases, replaced with custom-made components.
To help with the conservation project, the Museum aims to raise $60,000 by the end of June 2014. The Royal Daimler Project fundraising total now sits at just over $41,000 and the National Museum hopes to raise the outstanding $19,000 in the coming weeks.
It is estimated that 75 per cent of Australians witnessed the Queen’s 1954 tour.
On Thursday 12 June the National Museum is holding an exclusive national preview of When The Queen Came To Town - a feature film produced by wildbear entertainment, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of the 1954 Royal tour of Australia.
All money raised from the screening will go towards the Daimler conservation project and anyone interested in donating can also go to: nma.gov.au/support_us
The National Museum will complete phase one of the conservation work (the chassis and the engine) this year, with the remainder of the car (the body and upholstery) due for completion by 2016.
For more information please contact Tracy Sutherland, (02) 6208 5338 / 0438 620 710 or media@nma.gov.au