Marque: Daimler - Company History & Models - Cars By Brand

The attractive, capable XJ6-derrived Sovereigns have alw a y s been revered for their cruising c apabilities and their superlative ride quality. Fo r t u n ately there’s no need to pay a fortune to acquire a tidy example. However, a cheap Sovereign can turn out to be less of a bargain than might be anticipat e d . Conversely a good one can be a fine classic to use as much as possible and enjoy - mpg permitting! The iconic Jaguar XJ6 saloons were launched in 1968, with the more opulent Daimler versions (designat e d Sovereign) arriving a year lat e r. Daimler badge strangely means that prices undercut normal Jaguar XJ6 values.

An inspired blend of Jaguar’s Mk2 styling, an even more opulent interior and Daimler’s ow n , Edward Turner designed compact (90 degree angle) V8 engine, the 2.5 litre V8 saloon was the love child from the take-over of Daimler by Jaguar in 1960. At that time, D a i m l e r ’s superb engine was already being used in its SP250 (Dart) sports car to great effect. These excellent saloons arguably represent better value today than the equivalent Jag s . Although admittedly are not as fast as a 3.8-litre (which carried a similar price when new) the lighter engine means far more ag i l e h a n d l i n g . The Daimler versions generally cost less, yet are more distinctive, and that V8 makes it a beautiful cruiser. At first the only transmission offered was a three speed Borg Warner automat i c , but an all- synchromesh, four speed manual (with optional overdrive) wasav a i l a b l e from Fe b r u a ry1967. A much nicer car than a ‘common’ Mk2 2.4 and 3.4!

The Gordon-Keeble is a fascinating, v e ry rare and extremely desirable classic, launched at the 1960 Geneva motorshow. With a lusty, thrusty C o rvette V8 under the lid and typical 1960s GT styling you can see the car’s immense appeal at the time as a rival to an Aston Martin. The starting point for the creation of the Gordon Keeble was the installat i o n , by Jim Keeble, of a Chevrolet drivetrain into a Peerless, giving simply amazing performance. As a result, John Gordon of Peerless worked together with Keeble to produce a new fixedhead four- seater, incorporating Italian Giugiaro-styled b o dywork and a 5.4-litre Chevrolet V8. The chief aim was to build a relatively inexpensive sports car capable of m atching Italian supercar opposition. Production started at Eastleigh in Hampshire and although the car was well received by the press and critics, sadly only around 100 were built before production ceased in 1967. Now they make quaint British sports classics.

These stylish Daimlers are sedate, comfortable, and comparatively rare, but if you can track one down it can be an enjoyable classic to own and to run. The saloons in particular represent excellent value for money; the Dropheads are more desirable and fetch much more. D a i m l e r ’s elegant 2.5 litre 18 h.p. saloon (DB 18) was introduced in 1938, discontinued p r e m aturely by the outbreak of War, and re-introduced in 1946. Saloon and open top versions also offered, and in October 1948, a Barker Special Sports Drophead Coupé version arrived, f e aturing twin carbs and an overdrive. The Consort (a revised version of the DB18) was introduced in 1949, continuing in production until 1953, to be replaced by the new Conquest.

It’s boldly styled, relatively fast (especially by the standards of the late 1950s) and very different from the c o n t e m p o r a rysports models offered by most other carmakers. Today the sought-after SP250 makes an interesting and very competent a l t e r n ative to the more widely know n sports cars of its era. Introduced in the spring of 1959, the SP250 feat u r e d glass fibre bodywork mounted on a steel chassis, and was powered by D a i m l e r ’s ow n , Edward Turner- designed compact V8. It had been intended that the new car would be designated ‘ Dart’, but objections from the American Chrysler concern (which owned the name) resulted in the model being redesignated ‘ SP250’. After being produced in three evolutions, this much-loved model was discontinued in 1964. Hardly pretty it’s true, but the D a i m l e r ’s real beauty lies in its superb engine, value for money and rarity.