THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has received a US$2 000 gift to restore and refurbish the city’s historic Daimler, a 1972 classic vintage car for the mayor.
BCC received US$2 122,03 for the vintage car, which had been decommissioned due to constant breakdown and defects. It has since undergone extensive repairs and restoration work.
The story behind Daimler's revival is one of community spirit and expertise, with a local specialist playing a key role in bringing the vintage car back to its former glory.
The Daimler, known for its stately design and association with royalty, has long been a symbol of prestige and British automotive excellence.
According to the latest council minutes, acting director of works Methusi Dibidi said the vehicle’s specialised maintenance saw it staying for a long period without being serviced.
“The Daimler, manufactured in 1972, features technology that many companies and mechanics are unfamiliar with. Due to this, Anderson at Anderson Motors serviced the car himself.
“Unfortunately, after he passed away, no one had the specialised skill for the vehicle. As a result, it went a long time without specialised maintenance and was eventually decommissioned in 2022 due to constant breakdowns and defects that posed a danger to its users,” Dibidi said.
Mayor David Coltart recommended Philip Minaar, a specialist in vintage cars, as the only qualified individual capable of working on the Daimler.
- Bulawayo struggles to clear housing backlog
- Bulawayo struggles to clear housing backlog
- Egodini developer changes tune
- Outcry over city’s new rates, tariffs
Keep Reading
“The car was taken to Philip for inspection, assessment and a cost estimate. During the inspection, several issues were identified, including problems with the cooling system, fuel system, auto-electrical system and carburettor,” Coltart told a full council meeting.
“In December 2024, we received the following donation from a United Kingdom-based donor which included a carburettor repair kits for the Daimler, costing £681,10 (equivalent to US$905,86); Daimler immersed fuel pump (left hand) CAC3552_O, costing £142,99 (equivalent to US$190,18) and a Daimler Lucas 131SA column-mounted indicator and flasher switch C35091, costing £199,99 (equivalent to US$265,99),” he said.
Coltart said Minaar did not bill for the fitting of spare parts, adding that he donated his labour.
“The estimated labour cost for Minaar was US$760, resulting in a total donation value of US$2 122,03. Council paid US$465,14 to Zimra for customs clearance. Minaar successfully installed the carburettor repair kits and serviced the cooling, fuel and auto-electrical systems,” he said
Recently, heritage met grandeur at the 2025 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair as the City of Bulawayo rolled out its fully restored vintage Daimler limousine, turning heads and signalling a bold statement of civic pride and historic revival.
A retired Emirates Boeing 777 captain, Chris Brittlebank, a former schoolmate of the mayor, helped to locate the much-needed spares in the UK. Although mayor Coltart could not accompany the procession due to his attendance at the Presidential lunch, he emphasised the symbolic importance of the restoration project,” Dibidi said.
The classic vehicle, dormant for over a decade in the basement of the city’s Rates Hall, was brought back to life through private donations.
Dibidi revealed that sourcing parts for the nearly 70-year-old vehicle required assistance from abroad.
He said Coltart’s gesture aligned with his broader vision of city renewal, one that balances efficiency with dignity, adding that although the vehicle did not provide water or jobs, its restoration was symbolic of our plan to restore the grandeur of our city in the years ahead.
“It was historically used by city mayors and visiting dignitaries, reinforcing Bulawayo’s status as Zimbabwe’s cultural and industrial hub,” Dibidi said.
