Daimler 2.5 V8 Saloon

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Launched in 1962, the Daimler 2.5-Litre V8 was one of the finest cars of its era being a more refined and luxurious version of the highly rated Jaguar MkII.

The new V8 was priced between the Jaguar MkII 2.4 and 3.4-litre, suggesting that the Daimler brand was more upmarket than Jaguar, but deferring to the more sporting image of the bigger engined cars. Its crowning glory was the superb Ed Turner-designed all-alloy V8 that had made its debut in the Daimler Dart. This musical and muscular unit developed a silky smooth 140bhp and 155lb/ft of torque with a wonderfully free-revving nature which made the 2.4-litre XK engine seem coarse by comparison.

Mated to the Borg Warner Type 35 three-speed automatic transmission, it gave the V8 a top speed of 115mph with 0-60mph in 13.8 seconds. "The Daimler’s particular strength is its sweet and near silent running at any engine speed," said Autocar. It also had better handling than the MkII, the lightweight V8 giving more favourable weight distribution. It was quietly dropped from the Jaguar range in 1969 after some 17,600 examples had been sold, a real shame because it was a great car which was never properly replaced.

First registered in Hampshire in March 1965, this stunning Opalescent Dark Green V8 has covered only 52,000 miles to date backed up by a good history file from new. The first owner was to keep the car for some 15 years and the file contains some interesting correspondence from the time the order was placed, the original order form and bill of sale confirming that optional extras included a high ratio back axle, reclining seats, Motorola radio and chrome wire wheels. Later in its life it was also retro-fitted with the correct power steering system which makes the car light work around town.

Repainted in its original colour several years ago, the vendor states that the bodyshop commented at the time that the bodywork was the best they had ever encountered on such a car. The door rubbers have also been renewed and the interior has been professionally refurbished with new carpets, revitalised woodwork and unmarked cream leather upholstery.

Supplied with its original handbooks, a well-stamped service book and with an MOT valid until December 2016, this is a really lovely example of perhaps the finest saloon car of the 1960s. Spending the last few years as part of a private collection in Northern Ireland, it has only recently returned to these shores and has Northern Irish registration papers so getting a UK V5C will be nothing more than a formality.