Lot 333: 1977 Daimler Sovereign Series II 4.2-Litre Coupé

Launched to much acclaim in 1968, the XJ6 refined concepts embodied by previous Jaguar saloons to create a car rivalling the best offered by Mercedes-Benz. The six-cylinder XK engine was available in either 2.8-litre or 4.2-litre forms initially, the latter capable of propelling Jaguar’s luxuriously appointed flagship to a top speed of 120mph-plus. Outwardly distinguishable from its Jaguar sibling only by the traditional fluted radiator grille and different badging, the Daimler Sovereign that appeared a year after the XJ’s launch was in effect a top-of-the-range model, with most optional extras incorporated as standard. The prohibitive expense of getting its two-door pillar-less bodyshell to meet United States safety regulations meant that the Coupé version never went on sale in the USA. Consequently the model is one of the rarest of the ‘XJ’ family, being produced between 1975 and 1977 only.
One of just 1,698 Daimler Sovereign 4.2-litre Coupés built, this automatic-transmission example was sold new to R A Martin of Wolverhampton at a cost of £9,646.52 that included extra chrome trim along the body line. The car was used for business and pleasure purposes until 1998, when it was placed in storage, and was donated to the Donington Grand Prix Collection in February 2004, since when it has been mostly on static display. Effectively a one-private-owner car, ‘TUE 333R’ has covered a mere 35,987 miles from new and is offered with Swansea V5 document, current road fund licence and MoT to 1st March 2006.