Daimler 250 V8 Saloon

One of two Daimler V8 Saloons in our sale today, this is the updated post-1967 model with reclining front seats, slimmer bumpers, dynamo rather than alternator charging, a heated rear screen and various other tweaks, this model being known as the 250 V8 rather than the 2.5 V8.

Apart from its engine and fluted Daimler radiator grille, it was otherwise virtually identical to the contemporary Jaguar MKII and featured all round disc brakes, independent front suspension and a Panhard rod located live rear axle. With 140bhp and 155lbft of torque on tap from its magnificently smooth and sonorous V8, the Daimler was capable of 115mph. It was also said to enjoy superior chassis dynamics to its Jaguar siblings thanks to its more favourable weight distribution due to the relatively light-weight engine.

First registered in May 1968, this 250 V8 was bought for the current owner as a 60th birthday present by the rest of his family. After using it occasionally for a couple of years, he rather lost interest and parked it up in a big dry barn on the family farm where it has remained to this day.

Said to be in good running order when it was last used in 2004, it has not turned a wheel since and will doubtless need a fair amount of recommissioning before it can be returned to the road. Attractively presented in Gunmetal with a navy blue leather interior, it comes with various old MOTs back to 1988 when it had 26,900 miles on the clock, a total which has now only risen to some 38,000 miles, although there is insufficient history to warrant this as genuine.

At the time of cataloguing we had not been able to examine either the vehicle or its documentation, and interested parties are invited to do so before they place their bids. It certainly looks quite smart in the photos and it is being offered here entirely without reserve so the highest bid takes it!

AMENDMENT: The documents for this car are now here and include an RAC engineer's inspection from 1995 which gives the car a largely clean bill of health in all respects. At the time the car was being sold by Robert Hughes Classic Cars of Weybridge. There are also bills for a £1,000 brake overhaul in 1987 and 8 old MOT certificates from 1988 to 2004 when the mileage rises from 26,986 to 39,170.