Daimler 2.5 V8 Saloon

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The 2.5-litre V8 was the last Daimler car to feature a Daimler engine after the marque was acquired by Jaguar in 1960.

By installing Edward Turner's lovely 140bhp V8 'hemi' into the MKII bodyshell, Jaguar hoped to create a more exclusive, upmarket car that would appeal to Daimler's more traditional client base. Priced between the Jaguar MkII 2.4 and 3.4-litre at launch in 1962, it was pitched as a more upmarket model than the Jaguar, but deferred to the more sporting image of the bigger engined cars.

The V8 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. Otherwise identical to the MKII, it featured all round disc brakes, independent front suspension and a Panhard rod located live rear axle.

It also enjoyed superior chassis dynamics to its Jaguar siblings thanks to its more favourable weight distribution due to the alloy construction of the V8, some 50kg lighter than the six-cylinder Jaguar equivalents. The combination was a brilliant one, with the musical and muscular engine complementing the feline bodywork purrfectly.

At the end of 1965 the final drive ratio was changed from 4.55:1 to 4.27:1, addressing complaints that the car as launched had needed to exceed its recommended rev limit in order to reach its top speed. In May 1966 Autocar tested a 2.5 V8 and timed it to 60mph in 13.8 seconds with a top speed of 112mph, commenting that: ‘The Daimler’s particular strength is its sweet and near silent running at any engine speed.’ By the time production came to an end in 1969, some 17,600 had been sold, making it the best-selling Daimler ever.

First registered in Somerset in May 1967, this superb V8 has reputedly covered less than 32,300 miles from new and was owned by different members of just one family right up until 2007 when the current registered keeper acquired it. Finished in Old English White with a Saville Grey leather interior, the car is in excellent and largely original condition throughout with factory perfect panel gaps and doors that close softly with a reassuring ‘click’. A ramp inspection shows that it is as good underneath as it is up top, the last MOT tester commenting that it was the best old Jaguar they had ever seen.

It comes with a fair amount of documentation including the original green log book, various bills for routine maintenance back to the 1980s and several old MOTs back to August 1984 when it was showing 25,476 miles (insufficient history to warrant the low mileage for certain, but the overall condition of the car would tend to support it). Said to drive beautifully with an MOT until October 2016, it certainly ran very nicely when we were treated to a test drive on the occasion of our visit, with excellent oil pressure and temperature at all times, even when crawling through traffic.

As good an example as we have ever offered, it looks great value at the guide price suggested, especially if compared to a Jaguar MkII in comparable condition. So much more pleasing than restored examples, original cars like this are few and far between and you could wait a long time to see another as fine as this for sale.