1981 Daimler DS420

Daimler DS420 Daimler Limousine EGE51X
First registered 01/ 12/ 1981

• Just 2 previous owners
• Low mileage
• Immaculate
• Well and properly maintained
• Virtually rust free
• Tax and MoT free now

Welcome to the Holy Grail:
A Daimler DS420 with no rust! Well read on…
I have owned this car since 1997 and I bought it from a local firm (still in business and friends of mine). They bought it in 1990 from the original owner. Both were funeral directors.
As with all DS420s there was plenty of rust in 1997, but with careful research, I located most of the factory panels needed to fully restore this car to as new. Some were sourced from Wilcox Limousines who had by then moved on from the Daimler DS420 to more modern Jaguars and others. I managed to acquire quite a list including chassis legs, floor sections, inner wings, boot sides and many more. We were in a unique position to perform a proper restoration.
I also owned a high-end restoration and body shop, with all the facilities to weld, bend, wheel, swage and fabricate just about anything. We made a stout frame to allow the Daimler to be rolled over (a BIG ask, but we did it,) and there are quite a few photos I have of this stage taken in 1997/ 98.
The car was completely re-painted in Volvo metallic Burgundy over pearl cream, whereupon the original immaculate interior was re-fitted and a new set of burgundy carpets and a new headliner by my in-house trimmer.
I have also run a wedding hire business since 1990, and it was for this use the Daimler was destined.
An astonishing 27 years has passed by since the car was restored making me the longest custodian by far. Apart from wedding duties this car has been garaged indoors for every day of that time.
Doing the job once and doing it right has paid off, there has been virtually no deterioration of the shell. Trim wise, the interior is very very good still, with a little more wear to the seats and a patch of the nylon headlining which has lost adhesion.
It wasn’t just the body that got the attention either; a full mechanical overhaul was carried out over the next few years of ownership, including an engine refresh with big valve head, suspension, brakes, shockers and a rebuild of the limited slip rear diff all carried out to the highest standards. The car has a full stainless steel exhaust.
For many years in our ownership it had a private plate fitted PJT26J so in some photos it will have this number, including my (brief) appearance on Coronation Street!
I have now re-fitted the original plate EGE51X
I hope the pictures tell the rest of the story, I’ve hidden nothing so you can see the genuine car.
I need not say that to resurrect a rusty car and without the benefit of the original panels I used, a body restoration alone to this standard could cost £20, 000 or more.
On the road the car is powerful, steadfast and safe, with no wallowing or odd noises. All electrical items work including the clock!
Slight issues mechanically: there is a PAS fluid leak, and possibly gearbox sump (difficult to tell the source of the leak) (TH400 by the way), but the engine and cooling systems are dry. You might need a couple of dust covers on the suspension, but you’ll see from the photos how fresh the brakes are and they stop mightily.
I have amassed a stock of mainly secondhand parts for these cars, and included in the sale are as many as the new purchaser would like. A few examples would be 2 x NOS petrol flaps, grey trim including seats and occasional seats, chrome, a rear A/ C unit, engine parts and ancilliaries, additional steering box, heaters and parts, instruments and switches, the parts to convert to an electric division, glass and so on.
For overseas buyers, I can assist with shipping anywhere in the world, and am happy to describe and photograph or video any part of the car so you can make an informed decision unseen. I’ll even put a boroscope down the sills if it will help!I’m downsizing, and may have a couple more cars for sale in the near future, all as genuine and honest as this.
Having due regard for the present market, I’m looking for £8995, a true bargain given its virtually unique rust free condition