Chassis no. 16791158, Engine no. 16184
4,200cc Rolls-Royce 6-Cylinder Engine, Single Carburetor, Approximately 130bhp
5-Speed Forward and Reserve Transmission
4-Wheel Drive*Fine example of the Ferret in running condition
*Turret retrofitted with paintball guns
*Shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
*Important piece of British military history
Faced with the requirement to update its light armored vehicles post-WWII, the British Ministry of Defence turned to the Daimler company. Development began in 1949 and the resulting Ferret armored, or Scout, first entered service in 1952. The Ferret shared many design features with its Daimler Dingo predecessor but incorporated a larger crew compartment and a small machine gun turret. The six-cylinder engine was a Rolls-Royce B60 overhead-valve petrol unit developing 129bhp, good enough to endow the 3.75-ton ('dry') Ferret with a top speed close to 60mph. Drive was transmitted via a fluid flywheel to a five-speed pre-selective gearbox and thence via a transfer 'box to all four wheels.Nearly 5,000 were built in a multitude of variants and remarkably stayed in service all the way up through the 1990s. Today the Ferret is very popular with private collectors of military vehicles due to its compact size and relatively affordable price.
This 1958 Daimler Ferret is in fine condition, and attended the Goodwood Festival of Speed while in the previous owner's care. It is well equipped and still retains many original details such as helmets, radios, tools and the Rolls-Royce power plant. The Ferret most recently formed part of a Daimler collection where it was used regularly, and its turret has been retrofitted with paintball guns. The windshield has been equipped with a washer system, so one can wipe the screen clean during a paintball match. The Daimler Ferret is an important piece of British military history, and is welcomed at a multitude of classic car or historic military events.
Description courtesy of Bonhams International Auction House
