One of the largest and rarest convertibles ever built, the 1949 Daimler DE-36 “Green Goddess” Hooper Drop-Head Coupe, will be offered by Bonhams auction house at their world-famous Quail Lodge sale in August.

Formerly part of the famed Harrah Collection, this Daimler – no. 52802 – was subsequently purchased by the late Wes Lematta and his wife Nancy, who then donated it to the Le May Museum where it has been on exhibit since 2007. Meticulously restored to the highest standard in deep two-tone burgundy with rich white leather interior, the car was a class winner at the 1994 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Only seven of these immense and beautifully streamlined convertibles were ever constructed. (An eighth body was built later as a replacement for the prototype’s body.) With coachwork by Hooper, the sweeping fender lines, unusual faired-in headlamps with clear covers, and tapering chrome body-side moldings distinguish the massive car’s styling whose sumptuously appointed leather interior provides roomy accommodation for five. The 147-inch wheelbase drop-top is more than 20 feet long, nearly 80 inches wide, and weighs in at nearly three tons. The car is powered by a large straight-8 engine and has a semi-automatic fluid flywheel transmission.

Origin of Green Goddess
The original Daimler Green Goddess debuted as a show car at the 1948 Earl’s Court British Motor Show in London and was the most expensive car on display. The result of a joint collaboration between Sir Bernard Docker, chairman at the time of Daimler’s parent company, BSA, and designers at Daimler, the “Green Goddess” appellation came from the car’s special jade green paintwork. Even though the six following replicas of this majestic Daimler were finished in varying colors, the “Green Goddess” designation is applied to any DE-36 bodied in the original show car’s distinctive style.

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