Lot 440: Daimler V8 250 Sports Saloon

Jaguar's principal motive in purchasing Coventry neighbours Daimler had been the acquisition of much needed production capacity without the expense of constructing on a distant 'green field' site. The fact that the purchase also included Daimler's splendid lightweight V8 engines was entirely incidental from Jaguar's standpoint, yet would result in the creation of one of the finest sports saloons of the 1960s. First seen in the rapid SP250 sports car, the 2.5-litre version was judged superior to Jaguar's 2.4-litre XK six and so the opportunity arose to create a medium sized, upmarket model based on the Mk2 saloon. The job was made relatively easy by the V8's compact nature and the generously sized Jaguar engine bay. Launched in 1962 as the '2½-Litre V8' (later 'V8 250'), the new Daimler came with Borg Warner automatic transmission as standard. More refined than the equivalent Jaguar, the Daimler turned out to be a fine performer to boot, its 110mph top speed exceeding that of an overdrive-equipped, 2.4-litre Mk2 by a wide margin. Not surprisingly, the V8 was soon outselling its Jaguar rival and in due course became the most successful Daimler of all time with more than 17,600 sold up to the end of production in 1969. There can be few Daimler V8s left in such original condition as this desirable manual/overdrive example, which was supplied new by Crose Jaguar of Northampton to Mr R K Roylake. Mr Roylake used the car only sparingly until his death, after which his widow had it maintained by the local Jaguar agent for many years. She subsequently part-exchanged the Daimler, which was purchased by the current (second) owner having covered a mere 20,000 miles. Since acquisition the car has been maintained by Bour Motor Services of Sandbach, Cheshire and currently displays a total of 25,000 miles on the odometer, which is supported by accompanying expired MoTs. We are advised that this totally original, 'time warp' car possesses a wonderful patina and drives without fault. Finished in British racing Green with matching leather interior, 'HNH 679F' is offered with lubrication chart, maintenance vouchers, owner's handbook, sales/service book, sundry invoices, MoT/tax to November 2012 and Swansea V5 document.