Daimler 250 V8 Saloon

Apart from gaining a much-needed extra factory, Jaguar's acquisition of Daimler in 1960 also brought with it the exquisite Ed Turner-designed V8 engine. By installing this 2,548cc 'hemi' into the MKII bodyshell, Jaguar hoped to create a more exclusive, upmarket car that would appeal to Daimler's more traditional client base.

Launched in 1962, the new model was instantly distinguished from its Jaguar siblings by the traditional Daimler fluted grille and was initially only available with a bench front seat and 3-speed automatic box. It was updated in 1967 with reclining front seats, slimmer bumpers, alternator rather than dynamo charging, a heated rear screen and various other upgrades, this model being known as the V8-250 rather than the 2.5-V8.

Otherwise identical to the MKII, it 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.

This particular car was first registered in Middlesex in January 1968 and has had just five owners from new, the fourth keeping it from 1983 until 1993 when it was donated to a car museum where it was to spend the next 18 years on display.

An automatic model with the desirable power steering option, it comes with a fair amount of history including a service book showing 12 services up to 1978 by which time it had covered some 36,700 miles. Various old MOTs show that this total had risen to 75,000 miles by 1993 and the speedo currently reads 76,100 miles.

Presented in a most attractive colour scheme of silver with a red leather interior, the car appears to be in lovely condition throughout with superb panel gaps. It has just been treated to a thorough recommissioning with some £2,500 spent on the brakes, suspension, carburettors and fueling system. It comes with the aforementioned service history, many additional bills going back to the 1970s, a full Jaguar toolkit, the original green log book and a current V5C. Altogether a super old motorcar that anyone would be proud to own.