Daimler Double Six Auto

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The first Daimler Double Six was offered to the public in 1926. A truly magnificent 7.1-litre V12 monster, its bonnet was over half the length of the car.

The few chassis that were delivered tended to be bodied with elegant sports coachwork rather than Daimler’s more formal attire making them amongst the most expensive and desirable cars in the World today. Many years later, when a stunning new V12 engine made its way into the Jaguar range, it was but a small step to re-introduce the Double Six, the new Daimler using the superb XJ6 bodyshell and Vanden Plas interiors.

As early as the mid ‘70s, Jaguar had been planning an XJ6 replacement. Codenamed XJ40, the Suez cricis, labour unrest and a myriad other distractions within the Leyland empire ensured that the new car wouldn’t be ready until 1986. When it was unveiled, the XJ40 was a tour-de-force, earning itself a fine reputation and forming the cornerstone of Jaguar’s subsequent recovery.

The XJ40's design team had been directed by the management to consider using the tried and trusted Rover V8 engine. It was later revealed that the engineers deliberately made the engine bay of the new car too tight to house the wide-angle V8, ensuring that Jaguar would have to keep their engine division in business!

However, this did make the installation of the 6.0-litre V12 engine a particular headache, delaying its eventual introduction until 1993, the old Series III V12 models continuing on sale alongside the six-cylinder XJ40s until they had completed their task which was codenamed XJ81.

By 1994, the entire range was replaced yet again by the more traditionally styled X300. As a consequence, this range-topping XJ40-based Daimler Double Six is a very rare car.

Sold by RA Creamer and Sons of Kensington, it was ordered in Regency Red with tan Autolux leather. The service book has 10 stamps which take it to 2006 by which time it had covered 84,858 miles. A large file of bills and invoices confirm that by 2008 the mileage had risen to just under 90,000.

In 2009 it was fitted with four new Daimler Turbine chrome wheels and new tyres which cost its owner £1,000 with just 150 miles being added over the next two years.

A beautifully presented summary of its maintenance and repair from this period accompanies the car which was purchased by the vendor in October 2013. Since then, he has fitted a new radiator, the car having just passed its MOT which expires at the start of November 2015. The mileage now reads 91,880 miles.

This rare and well-cared-for Double Six must be one of the finest cars ever to have left the Browns Lane factory. Its unbelievably smooth engine feels like it could run the national grid while its sumptuous interior could have been lifted straight from your favourite private club. All this luxury for so little outlay!