Lot Ended
Description
Rare manual overdrive model, one of only around 700 made; engine
rebuilt; recent new clutch; has been earning its keep as a wedding car until
recently
Apart from
gaining a much-needed extra factory, Jaguar's acquisition of Daimler in 1960
also brought with it the exquisite Ed Turner-designed V8 engine. By installing
this 2,548cc 'hemi' into the MkII bodyshell, Jaguar hoped to create a more
exclusive, upmarket car that would appeal to Daimler's more traditional client
base.
Launched in 1962, the new model was
instantly distinguished from its Jaguar siblings by the traditional Daimler
fluted grille and was initially only available with a bench front seat and
3-speed automatic box. It was updated in 1967 with reclining front seats,
slimmer bumpers, dynamo rather than alternator charging, a heated rear screen
and various other upgrades, this model being known as the 250 V8 rather than the
2.5 V8.
With 140bhp and 155lbft of torque on tap
from its magnificently smooth and sonorous V8, the Daimler was capable of
115mph. It was also said to enjoy superior chassis dynamics to its Jaguar
siblings thanks to its more favourable weight distribution due to the relatively
light-weight engine.
The vast majority of Daimler
V8s had Borg Warner three-speed automatic transmission (hence the BW chassis
suffix) but an all-synchro four-speed manual gearbox with Laycock de Normanville
overdrive on top was introduced as an option on the 250 V8 models in 1967 (DN
chassis suffix). This not only improved the performance of the car, with
noticeably better acceleration, it also improved fuel economy with a more
relaxed gait at motorway speeds and beyond.
First registered in Montgomeryshire in October 1968, this V8 250
manual overdrive has been in the current ownership since 2010 (with six former
keepers) and was in regular use until a couple of years ago, earning a decent
living as a wedding car for much of that time. The MOT hisory shows that it has
covered some 17,000 miles in the last 15 years.
Although there is no invoice, a hand-written note states that the
engine was fully rebuilt by MJA of Bromsgrove about 8 years ago with new
pistons, bearings, timing chain etc, which the vendor has confirmed to us. In
2023 it also got a new clutch and the brakes were overhauled, since when
the car has only been very lightly used.
As you
can see in the photos, it is in decent shape for a 57-year-old although the
driver’s seat squab could do with some TLC. Starting promptly and running well
as we have moved it around on site, it is on offer here at a modest guide price
– less than it would cost to do all the work so recently carried
out.
Of the 17,900 Daimler V8 models made in
total, only around 700 were fitted with the manual overdrive gearbox (plus a few
others without overdrive) so it could be a long time before you see another for
sale.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970
309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com