Hi guys and gals, I currently own a 1956 Daimler Conquest and I want to rod it up. I don't want to go over the top as the car is solid and has no rust to speak of. I want to know what you would do to it. I was thinking of removing the front guards and just run the bonnet and front grille or no bonnet at all and lower the front. Maybe some white walls and an increase in rubber width and rims. I am just worried that where the guard ends might look a little strange. I want to keep the original inline 6 as it is mint as the car hasn't been registered since 1967. The front guards have been poorly repainted and don't match the car Any ideas? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Why would you want to remove the fenders? Maybe a raked chop and a different grill but I would keep the fender for sure.
Be a real man: can the six and put a Daimler V8 hemi in it - preferably the 4.5 from a Majestic Major, Keep the fluted grille and the guards - the grill is what makes a Daimler a Daimler. Drop the front suspension a tad, chrome steelies, and you're stylin'.
That car and the treatment you're talking about are kinda outside convention, so it's a little tough. Some will say dare to be different etc, but then sometimes you have to look at it from the square peg, round hole point of view. Not trying to be difficult, but are you sure this is the car you want to do this with, because it's not a natural. Or is it beacause it's the car you have to work with? Consider carefully before you sink money in it.
The car is very stylish as it is, with interesting lines, and some nice curves and fades. Outside of being underpowered, it will not take much to have a bitchin' ride. I would remove the door and trunk handles, and convert them to electric solenoid operation. Recess the rear license plate behind glass. Either reroute the gas filler neck to the trunk, or shorten it beneath a filler door. The rear pan makes it a natural for some kind of simple nerf bar(s). I believe your car has front torsion bars. It might be possible to lower the front simply by turning them down a notch or two. I would also lower the rear accordingly, as the body style favors a tail dragging stance. A rich Burgundy paint job and some attention to the wheels/tires should be all that's necessary to turn heads at any event. Then see about applying the usual hop-up techniques to wake up that six.
Well, it sure ain't a belly button car, everybody don't got one! I agree with Weasel, except maybe about the engine swap. Not that I wouldn't do it, just not right away. Clean it up, drop it and put some cool wheels and rubber on it, and have a blast! If the paint on the rest of the car is good, try to match it on the 'guards. Otherwise, shoot a coat of flat black and flame it! Don't let anyone talk you out of doing it. Rodders and customisers go against the grain by definition.
Chop it 2 - 3", lower it 1 - 2", increase the height of the rear wheel well, and pic a good color. When all that's done, post a photo and we'll suggest some wheel and tire combinations. -Lee Atomic Radio www.atomicpinup.com
The Jalopy Journal
