Description
Background
Only 10487 coupes were ever produced, of which 2084 were Daimler making this a very rare model. In addition, this Daimler Coupe was first registered in the UK on 5 May 1977 and subsequently modified to be a convertible by Ladbroke Stevens coachbuilders making it part of a very select group of cars. The conversion had full approval from the Jaguar factory, meaning that the quality and integrity of the original car was assured. The surviving cars and now considered exotic and are highly sought after.
Ladbroke Avon Coachbuilders
The origin of Avon coachbuilders dates back to 1919. In 1975 Jaguar ceased production of the E-type, meaning it had no convertible in its line-up. Anthony Stephens undertook a project to fill this gap by creating a process to transform the two door hard top Jaguar XJC and Daimler Coupes into a high quality fully functional convertible. The flowing lines of the coupe design are perfectly suited to this transformation.
Each car went to the Ladbroke Avon site at Millers Road, Warwick where it was completely stripped of roof, seats, carpet and trim to receive its new convertible top. Because the car was a pillarless coupe the chassis was already strong torsionally, nonetheless new metalwork was welded in to stiffen the chassis and windscreen pillars. Each car received a Ladbroke Avon plate with this car being serial number LA. 9897784. The result was commonly referred to as an Avon Stevens convertible. The cost of this work was £5170 which was a significant amount, comparable to that of the new car. As a result, very few cars were converted. Each car was unique and the soft top design on this particular car is well integrated and appears to better reflect the profile of the original coupe roof than many other cars produced. More information on the surviving cars and their history is readily available on the internet. Subsequent History and Restoration
The car spent most of its life in the UK with registration number SYF 161R, where it appears to have been well cared for but showed normal deterioration with age. It was was exported from Kent to Ireland in May 2009, where it received a ground up documented restoration over the course of a decade. The work is supported by receipts and photographs and includes new BAS cream leather upholstery on all seats, all new BAS carpets, new door trim and armrests, all new boot interior. The dash is in good condition, with original radio. The car has stunning red paint hand finished to a perfect gloss shine, accentuated by grey coachlines. All panels are free of ripples, scratches, chips and blemishes. It comes with a custom made soft top in black vinyl that is in excellent condition. The top has new cream fabric head lining on the interior, with ash timber trim pieces. All of the above is in new and unused condition, meaning this car is in show condition inside and out.
The original 6 cylinder engine has been replaced by a rebuilt Jaguar 5. 3L V12 to make this a Daimler Double Six, which was the ultimate power plant for this car. The automatic gearbox was also rebuilt. The car starts without hesitation and runs perfectly with all gauges reading correctly. It drives like new with rebuilt front and rear suspension (complete sub rear frame and components), shock absorbers, brakes, hoses, steering, gearbox, fuel pump, water pump, stainless steel exhaust, two new fuel tanks along with many other components too numerous to mention. Even the power operated antenna is new. A battery disconnect switch is fitted for security. Given that it has not been driven since restoration there is no evidence of corrosion, stone chips or other damage.
Finally, the car was modified to include aspects from the (arguably) more elegant Jaguar XJ Series III specification as introduced in 1979. While the four door Series III was never produced in two door coupe form it included many subtle design improvements including more modern rear tail light clusters as well as integrated front and rear bumpers. The original Kent alloys were replaced with refurbished lattice alloys with new lug nuts. These updates with original Jaguar parts transform the appearance, bringing the design of the car into the next decades. They would undoubtedly have been fitted by Jaguar if production of the two door coupe had not been ceased in 1979.
The Result
The intention for this car was to create the ultimate Daimler coupe, including design improvements incorporated into later XJ cars. All components (other than the red paint) were available or approved by Jaguar Daimler. The result is a well integrated design that that fully follows the jaguar ethos of grace, space and pace. Being one of the few cars modified by Ladbroke Avon it represents a unique part of Jaguar/ Daimler history. No time or expense was spared to transform the already excellent coupe design into the ultimate expression of what a Daimler was meant to be. As sleek as the e-type with the comfort, practicality and reliability of a Daimler. The car has had virtually no miles following very extensive restoration and so remains in absolute unused condition and is unlike any other car in existence.
Caveats
This is a four seater car meaning that the convertible roof is large and ideally requires two people to erect. The window seals were less than perfect on the original hard top coupe and this is not improved on the convertible. The car has oil weeps typical of a Jaguar V12. The front and rear bumpers were rechromed, but show minor imperfections.
Location
The car is located in southeast Ireland in easy reach of ports leading to Fishguard, Pembroke and Holyhead in the UK. Seller can assist with transport and shipping back to its original home in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.
Cost
The coupe has become very desirable and is appreciating rapidly, with the Daimler version being the more desirable version and the rare Avon Stevens convertible being most exotic of all. The price reflects the cost of the base car and parts, with thousands of hours labour coming as a labour of love.
