Description
PRICE REDUCED
Daimler Sovereign Two Door Coupe
4. 2 Auto
NOK 171R
Daimler XJC 4. 2C Auto – Regency Red – 1976 – 92000 miles – 6 owners – no history
£7, 500
1976 Daimler Sovereign 4. 2 Auto Two Door Saloon in Regency Red stored for over ten years and in need of minor works to make a very presentable rare classic.
Originally painted in Greensand as can be evidenced through some investigation on interior panels, the car had a thorough colour change in 1994 and was used and maintained regularly by the then owner in Merseyside and the car comes with a few photographs of it looking very nice on his driveway.
Since this time, the history is somewhat sketchy and the car may not have been treated to the attention that was required to keep it roadworthy and the latest owner purchased the car in 2012 and it appears that this is the date the car was placed in a dry storage and forgotten about until April 2024 when it was liberated by Coupe specialists Miles Classic in Huddersfield.
Having gone through the car very carefully, the body was found to be in remarkably solid condition. The paintwork is flat and scratched and there are one or two noticeable dinks and dents but there appears to be no surface rust, no obvious areas of poor filling, and absolutely no rot on display whatsoever. The important areas of inner and outer sill, particularly under the rear window all appear to be in good condition – and the car was raised on a two post lift without any drama.
The underside is not quite as pain free with some areas of welding required, but nothing in consideration to the age of the car and the period of storage and abandonment.
With the car showing oil and water in good amounts and a new battery turning the engine over freely a decision was taken to get the car starting, driving and stopping as soon as possible. Unfortunately the fuel tanks and pipework was not up to the job, so a pair of tanks, pumps and senders were fitted along with fuel pipe to the carbs. The AED was leaking so this was disconnected and the carbs given a service. Compression was tested, oil and coolant changed and the car was fired up. The oil pressure came up nicely and with a little bit of tuning the car idled and revved perfectly well.
It was pretty clear there were some brake issues with seized calipers and no handbrake cables or handle fitted so this was the next port of call. Work was done to releases the calipers, get the pads moving, checking and repairing the brake lines, servo and master cylinder. Fitting a handbrake and then the car was ready to go.
Selecting Drive for the first time in more than a decade, the Coupe drove around the yard with no trouble at all. Movement has identified an issue with the steering rack, but nothing that can’t be sorted easily.
The interior is all there, and not at all beyond recovery. Some of the electrics still operate – the windows go up and down. In fact, the car as much of a barn find as can be said, is in fabulous relative condition and ready for some enthusiastic recommission to turn into a running and useable Coupe or the perfect base to go further and make a full restoration.
The welding to the underside is focused mainly on the rear inner wheel arches and front chassis legs into the bonnet hinges. It will need professional intervention and Miles Classic is prepared to undertake the work on behalf of a new owner for £3, 000. 00.
The car can also be offered with a full MOT which will require further works on the fuel system, braking system, steering and suspension, wheels and tyres and the cars electronics, lighting and all other functions at a total cost of £12, 000. 00.
