Sold 1974 Daimler DS420 2146372195 Tweet

As Britains first automaker its only natural that Daimlers history is inextricably linked to royalty considering turn-of-the-century carsor more accurately horseless carriageswere playthings of the wealthy not the common citizen. King Edward VIIthen the Prince of Walestook the crowns first motorized ride in 1898 on (future) Lord Montagu of Beulieus Daimler. Montagu later drove his Daimler onto the yard at parliaments Palace of Westminster becoming the first car to do so.Prince Edward took delivery of his own Daimler Mail Phaeton in 1900 cementing the mighty 6-hp two-cylinder buggy into history as the first Royal car. The princes 1902 purchase of a second Daimler led to the first Royal Warrant issued to an automaker; similar royal appointments to Daimler soon followed from Spain Prussia and Malaysia. Daimlers served as the primary car of state for the British monarchy until the early 1950s when transmission troubles in the kings Daimler led to Rolls-Royce taking over much of the royal fleet.Daimler persevered in some form of pseudo-production until dormancy in 2010 though not without changing hands seven times. The more modern era of Daimler is commonly associated as a subsidiary of Jaguar utilizing shared platforms and mechanicals but serving as a cushy upfitted alternative to the more sporting Jag. Limousines were Daimlers natural specialty and the new-for-1968 DS420 became one of Daimlers most recognizable and long-lived models in its 114-year production history.The Jaguar Mark Xlater branded the 420Gprovided the bones for the new Daimler sharing the engine transmission suspension interior structure controls and much of the interior appointments among other commonalities. Though visually there was no mistaking a DS420 for its lesser Jaguar counterpart; the Daimler adds a whopping 21-inches to the Jaguar wheelbase and wears unique swooping buttressed bodywork hand-shaped by British Leylands in-house Vanden Plas coachworks. Inside what could be upfitted was and the primary limousine compartment was separated behind a bulkhead.Its important to note the DS420 was and always has been either a limousine or a hearse. At no point during its 24 years of production was a DS420 built or bodied as anything elseat least not officially. At the time of the DS420s debut in 1968 Vanden Plas previewed a mock-up of a shortened four-door coupe based on a standard Jaguar 420G floorpan. Jaguar rejected the proposal and the DS420 entered production solely as a long-wheelbase limo.40 years after that mock-up a notable Daimler super-enthusiast and Jaguar collector endeavored to bring Vanden Plas experiment to reality. The original four-door proposal was used as more spiritual guidance than recipe; starting with a standard DS420 limo he significantly shortened the wheelbase moderately flattened the roof profile cut the rear passenger doors for a traditional coupe layout and extended the remaining doors by 10-inches to match the new truncated footprint.The result is nothing short of stunning. It seems Jaguar did the motoring world a disservice nixing the original proposalthough we very much doubt the shortened four-door could match the visual impact of this uniquely elegant DS420 coupe. The mercurial silver-green paintwork is particularly eye-catching and in excellent condition tastefully complimented by a revised interior space upholstered in beige Connolly leather with green piping and green Brocade fabric inserts. Where was once a voluminous six-passenger rear compartment is now simply a sumptuously upholstered rear bench seat complete with matching throw-pillows.Most everything else is familiar Daimler DS420 finery. All controls switchgear and gauges present as new as does the plush high-pile carpeting and interior chrome trim. The rich burl woodwork is pristine and extends through the entire cabinincluding to the rear seating area.A 4.2-liter twin-cam Jaguar XK inline-six breathes through triple SU carburetorslikely matching a similarly-equipped E-Type for powerand is managed by a Borg-Warner 12 three-speed automatic transmission. With a hotter engine and significantly less leather wood and important diplomats to haul this compacted DS420 should offer a lush and assured touring experience beyond even the finest Jaguar Mark X.Really cross-country touring is the ideal use-case for this special Daimler; after the project was completed the owner shipped the coupe back to England for an International Daimler & Lanchester Owners Club meet later meeting up with Jaguar World magazine and 88 individual Jaguar owners for a 1200-mile drive through the French countryside where the car took home the Peoples Choice award.This extraordinarily well-executed feat of historical revisionism is perfect for a selection of notable gatherings and events around the globe. Though unlike most other Daimler DS420s you might want to look elsewhere if you plan a future in chauffeuring.Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details please view this listing directly on our website https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7542-1974-daimler-ds420-coupe/