HIGHLIGHTS

1968 Daimler with the sublime 2.5 litre V8
Rare 4 Speed Manual Non-Overdrive specification
Recent restoration and respray in original Opalescent Blue

THE APPEAL

In 1960 the great British marque Daimler was acquired by its larger rival Jaguar. In its prewar days Daimler produced very fine luxury cars and once boasted royal patronage that was the envy of its rivals for many decades. By the 1950s Daimler was struggling to compete and its V8 powered Dart/SP250 convertible, which debuted in 1959, didn’t turn into the sales numbers needed to turn the firms fortunes around. However despite the Jaguar takeover in 1960, there was a Daimler legacy that would leave its mark on Jaguar itself. And that was the sublime 2.5 litre V8 engine designed by Edward Turner.

This home grown British hemi V8 found its way into the body of the Jaguar Mk2 and provided drivers with a very interesting alternative to the straight sixes also offered by Jaguar. And importantly the Mk2 body wore a Daimler badge and fluted grill, which subtly distinguished it from its Jaguar sibling.

The Daimler 2.5-Litre was unveiled in 1962 and was offered until 1969, by which time it became known as the Daimler V8 250. The Borg Warner 3 speed automatic transmission was offered as standard and from 1967 a 4 speed manual gearbox was made available. The Daimler V8 250 being sold here with Car and Classic is a very rare 1968 example that was ordered with the 4 speed manual without the optional Overdrive.

THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK

V5C in owners name
First registered on 21st May 1968
8 former keepers
Tax and MOT exempt
Odometer shows 38,633 miles
1 set of keys
The current owner acquired the Daimler approximately 2 years ago but has known the car since 1983
When the current owner acquired the Daimler it had been in storage for many years and required a full recommissioning
They decided to give it the restoration it deserved and tell us it was finished in time for their wedding
A selection of invoices are on file documenting previous maintenance plus records for the restoration and recommission carried out by the current owner
A number of old Daimler Handbooks and Manuals come with the car

THE INTERIOR

The Daimler V8 250’s seats are trimmed in dark blue perforated leather and these are in nice shape
There is some minor wear to the colour on the driver and passenger seat but the leather is not cracked and has a lovely aroma as one would expect for a classic of this vintage
Blue carpets are fitted which are in good condition
A Black vinyl dash top is fitted
The wooden dashboard is in very good condition with the veneer starting to show its age but it is all present and intact
New door cards have been fitted
The headliner has been renewed by the current owner and this is in good condition
The owner states that everything works as it should with the speedo and rev counter being repaired during the restoration
They go on to say that a new door rubber kit comes with the car and these just need to be fitted

THE EXTERIOR

The Daimler V8 250 presents in attractive Opalescent Blue and is in good condition
There are some small blemishes which are shown in the photos but overall the Daimler looks very smart
The Daimler sits on a set of wire wheels which chrome knock offs and the spare is also a full sized spare
New tyres and tubes were fitted during the restoration
The Daimlers signature fluted grill is in nice condition with some marks and light scratches present
The rest of the cars chrome trim is present and intact
The front chrome bumpers and overriders are in clean condition with the rears starting to show some age and would benefit from rechroming
The owner informs us that new door skins were fitted along with new inner and outer sills, which are shown in the invoices in the history file
New crows feet and a new crossmember were also fitted

THE MECHANICS

2.5 litre hemi V8 mated to a 4 speed Manual Gearbox
Under the bonnet the engine bay presents in clean condition with polished rocker covers
The owner states that the engine was rebuilt for the restoration with numerous invoices on file for the works carried out
The gearbox was also overhauled during the restoration
A new clutch kit has been fitted costing over £1,000
The Daimler’s brake system has been rebuilt and new wheel bearings fitted
A new ignition barrel has also been installed
The old exhaust system has been replaced with a new stainless steel exhaust which ensures the V8 burbles very nicely

SUMMARY

The Daimler V8 250 has lived in the shadow of the Jaguar Mk2 3.4/3.8 for a long time, which is a shame as the Edward Turner V8 really is a lovely engine. The V8 burble just adds something special to the model often mistaken for an “Inspector Morse Jag”. And while the Borg Warner Automatic allows for relaxed cruising, the 4 speed manual really transforms the cars character, giving you the driver full control of that silky smooth V8.

With the bulk of the heavy lifting already taken care of on this Daimler v8 250, there are just a few small jobs left to finish it off. This is a great opportunity to acquire a very rare and fine British V8 saloon.

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.

✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

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