Daimler V8 2.5

Daimler V8 2. 5. Gorgeous looking car with a wonderful V8 burble.

Registered 01/07/1964 so it's 3 months away from its 50th birthday. Desirable big bumper model. Automatic transmission. Fitted with chrome wire wheels and finished in Old English white with blue leather.

The engine has been converted to run on unleaded and the previous owner confirmed that a compression test on all 8 cylinders established all were spot on at between 150 and 160 psi. Starts on first press of the button. 12 months MOT and of course. it is road tax exempt.  

I have the service history for this car dating back to its first 1. 00 mile service in 1964. It was owned by a lady in Devon from 1964 to around 1978 and subsequently owned by hoteliers on the English Riviera covering very little mileage.  

The car was subject to a back to bare metal respray in 2007 which I have the photographic evidence to verify whilst it was part of the personal collection of a gentleman who owned Harris Coachworks in Bedfordshire. I also have the original vehicle passport. handbooks. lubrication charts and service records.

All usual period fitments to include burr walnut dash and door tops. Fitted with a period Radiomobile radio. This car has always been garaged.  

The vehicle is fitted with Coombs wheel arch rear spats and upgraded Coopercraft 4 pot brake callipers with stainless steel braided hoses. The car was waxoyled in 2013.  

The car drives beautifully. the steering is crisp. the engine pulls as it should and kicks down without fuss and the gearbox is smooth and operates without any clonks or bangs. It also has that particular and wonderful ‘old car' smell inside – a mixture of patina. leather and wood.  

Arguably. better handling and poise than a Jaguar MK 11. Certainly sounds better. The alloy V8 was the last engine designed and built specifically for Daimler by engineering genius Edward Turner and this unit was also used in the Daimler Dart. This is coupled to the robust Borg Warner 3 speed automatic gearbox.  

Incidentally. apparently the Jaguar Mark 11 has a cigarette lighter whereas the Daimler V8 has a cigar lighter! 

The comprehensive records indicate that the car has had service or attention as follows; 

01/07/1964 Bought new by a lady in Devon.

03/09/1964 running in check at 1. 50 miles

04/12/1964 service at 2. 86 miles

20/07/1965 service at 5. 71 miles

06/04/1966 service at 7. 93 miles

24/08/1966 service at 9. 97 miles

20/10/1966 service at 10. 41 miles

07/02/1967 service at 11. 14 miles

08/05/1967 service at 12. 31 miles

11/08/1967 service at 13. 67 miles

22/01/1968 service at 16. 76 miles

19/03/1968 service at 16. 86 miles

17/06/1968 service at 17. 68 miles

21/08/1968 service at 19. 57 miles

19/11/1968 service at 20. 42 miles

19/04/1969 service at 21. 21 miles

01/07/1969 service at 22. 07 miles

03/10/1969 service at 23. 28 miles

08/04/1970 service at 25. 56 miles

10/08/1970 service at 26. 88 miles

05/10/1970 service at 27. 00 miles

23/02/1971 service at 28. 03 miles

Undated service at 30. 55 miles

31/11/1971 service at 31. 34 miles

27/01/1972 service at 32. 00 miles

05/04/1972 service at 32. 67 miles

22/08/1972 service at 34. 02 miles

12/02/1973 service at 36. 50 miles

10/05/1973 service at 37. 92 miles

24/09/1973 service at 38. 32 miles

19/04/1974 service at 39. 75 miles

02/09/1974 service at 41. 63 miles

05/02/1975 service at 42. 35 miles

13/10/1975 service at 44. 36 miles

12/05/1976 service at 46. 03 miles

06/04/1977 service at 48. 78 miles

01/12/1977 service at 50. 20 miles

17/03/1978 service at 51. 67 miles

22/07/1980 MOT at 54. 50 miles

17/05/1985 MOT at 60. 07

25/05/1988 60. 27 miles

27/05/1988 MOT at 60. 28 miles

1989 change of owner

16/06/1989 MOT at 60. 74

24/06/1989 change of owner. Bought by Devon hotelier and Jaguar Daimler enthusiast and used for the first few years in his ownership to travel around the UK on audit work.

10/08/1989 61. 26 miles

06/10/1989 no mileage

10/01/1990 65. 64 miles

07/03/1990 65. 10 miles

28/06/1990 MOT at 65. 99 miles

06/02/1991 no mileage

23/08/1991 MOT at 72. 56 miles

18/09/1992 MOT at 80. 69 miles

13/07/1993 MOT at 82. 44 miles

02/06/1995 82. 45 miles

15/05/1995 82. 44 miles

02/06/1995 82. 45 miles

02/06/1995 MOT at 82. 46 miles

24/06/1996 MOT at 83. 11 miles

28/07/1997 83. 38 miles

28/07/1997 MOT at 83. 38 miles

08/05/2002 MOT at 83. 44 miles

13/08/2004 MOT at 83. 23 miles

14/11/2004 sold by Devon hotelier to fund the purchase of an XK150 to Harris Coachworks

30/04/2007 MOT at 83. 81 miles

26/05/2009 MOT at 84. 89 miles

2010 Bought by a gentleman in Bristol

17/03/2011 MOT at 84. 16 mils

24/03/2011 84. 16

07/07/2011 change of owner to me

19/03/2012 MOT at 85. 47 miles

30/05/2012 service at 85. 45

08/04/2013 MOT at 85. 84 miles

01/04/2014 MOT valid until 07/04/2015 with no advisories.  

The car has clearly only completed around 5. 00 miles in the last 20 years.  

Whilst the car has been restored it is not perfect. If I were going to keep the vehicle I would tidy up the door cards and replace or clean the headlining. attend to a rip on the passenger seat and attend to some very minor micro blistering on the bonnet. although the body is otherwise almost perfect.  

I mention the above points because I am quite particular and fastidious and don't want to give the impression that the car is a concours trailer queen. It is however. in exceptionally good order.  

Please remember that this is a 50 year old car and not a new Mercedes.  

As you can imagine this car attracts a lot of attention and could be used for weddings etc.  

Usual EBay etiquette. No timewasters. tyre kickers or fantasists. scammers etc. You are welcome to view the car although I will be the test driver unless comprehensive insurance can be provided. I am selling this car due to time commitments. although if it doesn't sell I will very happily continue to keep it in the garage. That having been said. I could be tempted to swap or part exchange for a nice Mercedes 280se 3. 5 stacked headlight circa 1969 to 1972 or a 1930's Triumph Gloria.  

Valued by J P Morris consulting automotive engineers and insurance assessors at £15. 00 in August 2011. Classic car prices have apparently risen faster than gold since that time. according to the Daily Telegraph.  

Contact 07850 993315 to view between Monmouth and Ross on Wye.  

Want to buy this car?