Daimler Double Six S1 V12 SWB 1973

Very Rare Daimler V12 Series 1 Short wheel base
It's difficult to know where to start this as I have owned this car since 13th August 1985. To my knowledge there are only a handful of these left and I only know of one other Daimler in heather which is for sale on a classic car site for £25. 00. I know mine is not of that ilk but hey lets see where we end up!!
The reason I have decided to sell is because I really don't have the time to devote my attention to the cars needs. I started to re commission it this year but unfortunately a spark plug snapped in the cylinder head and then the tool to remove the spark plug snapped so now I am really goonered!!I had started to strip the engine so that I could remove the cylinder head but it's just beyond me at the moment and the friend that was going to help me is no longer available. It is stripped as far as the cam shaft and carrier and the timing chains are still under tension. All lifters are in correct order and all parts are now stored in the boot in bubble wrap.  The vehicle has water blistering to the boot and rear quarter which will be explained in the article below. I hope you don't mind but instead of waffling on I have incorporated the article below from the Jaguar Drivers Magazine January 2012 Number 618. Hopefully this will answer all your questions.  
ARTICLE

'I thought after many years of being a Jaguar Drivers Club member for possibly 20 years or more. I suddenly got the poke in the side after reading Septembers issue. number 614. I really enjoyed reading the article about a series 1 V12 SWB. It was interesting to learn that only 22 heather pink Jaguar SWB's were produced out of the 720 built. I really do not know if this is the same for the Daimler. whether they are included in this production figure. if it's not the case I would be really interested to know.

 

Now my story begins. I hope you are sitting comfortably!

 

My passion for Jaguars started when I was 21. when I saw this Heather Pink Daimler V12 SWB in an auction in London in 1985. The vehicle was described as being in very good condition with a guaranteed 50. 00 miles and a very well known previous owner (snippit for later!). It was noted that she had two slight water leaks from hoses. otherwise she was in excellent mechanical condition. and me being young and naive believed this and purchased the car and later found out that it was a cracked cylinder head!! Again being young and not realising the importance of the original engine. I purchased a 1975 XJ V12 with poor body work but an excellent engine that had only covered 38. 00 miles. The engine was fitted and the Daimler drove perfectly. I must say as a 21 year old in a pink car I did get some funny looks!

 

The body work was in good condition but had rusty lower rear panels. some rust to the seals and one front wing. so I made the decision to have the car completely repainted in 1987. It looked fantastic so I treated her to a new 12 piece stainless steel exhaust and in 1988 we actually used the car as our Wedding car.

 

Over the next couple of years we only used the car at weekends and I am ashamed to say that the last Jaguar event we attended was around the same year at the Paddock Wood Hop Farm in Kent. The reason I remember this so well is because I also had a Series 1 V12 LWB VDP Registration YRV 3L. My wife drove the pink daimler with my friends wife and we followed them down in the VDP. I always remember it was very cold and overcast that day and my wife and friend were sitting in the pink daimler and you could hear people as they were walking past talking about two ladies in their pink daimler!

 

In 1990 I started my own Company and found little time for anything else and I am sad to say that in 1994 she went into storage in my Mums garage until 2005 when I moved her to her present location. nice and warm and always maintained at 10 degrees or above. Unfortunately whist stored at Mums the roof suffered a leak and moisture formed between the blankets and protection sheet causing some water blistering to the boot and rear quarter panel.  

 

I am hoping that after reading your article this will now inspire me to bring my Daimler up to full mechanical condition as she has not been started or driven since late 1994.

 

Even though I am making her sound quite bad. she is in excellent condition considering. and the body work is solid and the interior is original. just need the old spanners out!!

 

Now to the juicy bit. the first recorded keeper 1973 - 1975 was a really nice man called William Travers (The late Bill Travers. husband of Virginia McKenna from Born Free Foundation)

We wrote to Swan Productions in 1988 to confirm the original owner and history. and they kindly forwarded our letter to Bill Travers and we were so pleased that he took the time to respond.

 

His response was: 

 

'Dear Sir. It was kind of you to look after my old XJ6 (Double). ERU 388L was affectionately called "PinkERU". It was bought by my company for me as I travelled quite a lot in those days for various TV & films etc. My wife Virginia had her own car for her professional life so seldom drove it. I sold this Daimler & went with TV direction of wildlife documentaries & hence into formation of our Charity "Zoocheck" which looks after the welfare of those unfortunate creatures - apes- leopards elephants tigers which we imprison to entertain & amuse ourselves and our children . to our shame. I hope you will continue to enjoy many years of happy driving - Bill Travers. Zoocheck Coldharbour. nbsp;Surrey' 

 

 

Another thing that amused me which I kept from the auction was a note that came with the car which read . 'first owners. Bill and Virginia McKenna of Born Free. regret. no lion in the boot'!!! Do you think they meant Elsa!!

 

My promise to the JDC is that one day (I don't know how long this will take!) but she will appear again at one of your shows. maybe when I retire. but unfortunately I am still working for myself!!'

Please feel free to contact me or view the car at any time.
This really is a fantastic opportunity for someone to acquire a true classic treasure

 

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