This article tells of how one couple adopted a 1973-1979 Daimler Double-Six 5.3 V12
This piece was written 21 years ago by a friend who is sadly no longer with us. As an “acquisition tale,” it’s a little different from the usual style of such things and certain details are perhaps not to be recommended. But it’s a cracker nonetheless.
Geoff is my friend and neighbour. Even if he were not, I’d always be nice to the grumpy old codger because he has a beautiful, white E-type coupe in original, pristine condition. One day he may let me drive it. I hope he reads this.
On a warm winter’s day, in April, he and I set off from Nottingham Road, bound for the Cannon and Cannon Vintage Car Auction in Hilton. I had been there two days previously, when my eye had fallen upon a red 3.8 Mark 2 (Inspector Morse type) Jaguar. On closer inspection it was a bit of a “paint job”, but possibly worth a bid if it went cheap. It did not so I did not.
In passing I had noticed a golden Daimler Double Six with the bonnet up (usual mode). A quick glance revealed that the fan-ventilated battery-box was missing; so I looked no further. My mild interest stemmed from having driven my late father’s Double-Six in the ’80s. He had purchased it almost new, in part exchange for his old Sl Bentley.
Five years’ hard work finished off the Double Six; I suspect the Sl is still running. If someone has up-graded the front dampers and put on radial tyres, it may even be possible to drive it in a straight line and not have to avoid the cats’ eyes in order to do so. After 20 years’ use, the Sl sold well. After 5 years, the re-sprayed Double Six did not. British Leyland/Daimler/Jaguar designed some good cars; such a pity they could not build them so well.
At the Auction, the Double Six with bonnet down (unusual mode) had good, clean, upholstery and the original paint. As I looked into the boot, someone started the engine. I did not get covered in black exhaust. It runs; it is golden and good to drive, as fond memories remind me. The bonnet is up again and I discover the catch is faulty, which explains a lot!! I peer in, and mention to another peerer, that the battery-box is missing. A long explanation follows and I am shown a secondary electric cooling fan fitted for South African models.
We chat on: he must have been a Jaguar-Daimler Club member. He was polite, shaven, well dressed, probably rich, and far worse than all this, assumed I knew the engine well. I actually only knew the results of this monster; complicated, quiet power coupled with an insatiable thirst. The day was hot and time to attend to my own thirst.
Then I met the owner’s brother, the vendor himself, living in England and only using the car for a few weeks each year. The auto dealer who had had the Golden Monster in his showroom in Durban was also there. I talked to someone who had tried to buy it and sleuth (me) discovered how much he had offered, and had been refused.
I’m beginning to get excited, but must not show it. I think: “Don’t look at the car again or they’ll be on to you.” I eavesdrop on a conversation, “The gear box has been re-conditioned for R12,000 in Johannesburg.” The bidding starts. I melt to the back of the crowd, not easy when you are over six foot and weigh 18 stone.
I do not bid. In increments of R500, the price is rising steadily and so is my passion to possess this limousine. There is a pause in the bidding, I whack in a bid of R2,000 over the last offer. David Cannon bangs his clipboard shouting, “Sold to Mr. King at the back, but subject to the vendor’s confirmation”. I never saw the dealer or the vendor’s brother again …
A golden Daimler Double Six is back in the family … sign this … go to the office … the number plates are not included … sign again. Help, where is Geoff? Will he refuse me a lift home? Is he furious? Who cares; it will be nothing to what my first passion, my wife Chris, will say, when I tell her what I have done. Her last words, still ringing in my ears were, “Enjoy yourselves. Don’t buy anything”, but then the ‘phone rang and I was saved from answering her.
The next task is a plea to Cannon and Cannon to help preserve my marriage, if not my sanity (too late for that!) and let my Daimler stay until Monday – four days. They agree; they are fabulous people and they know Chris too! Geoff drives me home to the front door and promptly puts foot to his Mercedes Kompressor (coward) leaving me to face the storm.
It rages for a couple of days but there are calms and sunny periods. On day four we collect my passion and Chris almost smiles when she sees it. She concedes that she understands why I felt the passion, even if she cannot agree with my priorities. “You promised not to buy anything.” “Oh, No! I didn’t. You asked me not to buy anything, but I made no promises.” . . . . and so it went on, for hours.
When we arrive at the Country Club the golden monster attracts much interest. The bonnet opens un-aided and the crowds peer inside. Chris tries not to be impressed. At a Bonnets Up in Durban, I explain to all present the technicalities of the V12. Do they believe me? Are they just being polite, or are they as ignorant as I am?
Four months on, my passionate wife and I share this gilded chariot. Six months on, I refuse three times what I paid for it.
Does anyone in the club have a bonnet catch for sale? If so, please contact my wife. By e-mail.
-John King
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Some technical details:
Country of origin: GB United Kingdom
Make: Daimler (U.K.)
Model: Sovereign XJ Series II 1973-1979
Submodel: Double Six Series II 1973-1979
Class: full-size luxury / luxury car
Body style: sedan
Doors: 4
Traction: RWD (rear-wheel drive)
Dimensions & capacities
Length: 4945 mm / 194.7 in
Width: 1770 mm / 69.7 in
Height: 1375 mm / 54.1 in
Wheelbase: 2865 mm / 112.8 in
Front track: 1473 mm / 58 in
Rear track: 1488 mm / 58.6 in
Ground clearance: 178 mm / 7 in
Turning circle btw. kerbs 11.9 m / 39 ft
Drag coefficient Cd estimated by a-c: 0.46
Frontal area A estimated by a-c: 2.02 m2
Drag area CdA estimated by a-c: 0.929 m2
Trunk (cargo) capacity claimed: 481 lit/ dm3
Boot length: 902 mm / 35.5 in
Boot width: 1130 mm / 44.5 in
Kerb weight (without a driver): 1870 kg / 4123 lbs
Powertrain
Engine manufacturer: Jaguar V12 5.3-Litre
Engine type: spark-ignition 4-stroke
Fuel type: gasoline (petrol)
Fuel system: 4 carburettors Zenith-Stromberg 175 CDSE
Charge system: naturally aspirated
Valves per cylinder: 2
Cylinders alignment: V 12 SOHC
Displacement: 5343 cm3 / 326 cui
Bore: 90 mm / 3.54 in
Stroke: 70 mm / 2.76 in
Compression ratio: 9 : 1
Horsepower net: 186.5 kW / 254 PS / 250 hp (DIN) / 6000 rpm
Torque net: 408 Nm / 301 ft-lb / 3500 rpm
Fuel capacity: 91 litres / 24.1 U.S. gal / 20 imp. gal
Drivetrain
Gearbox: Borg Warner BW 12
Transmission type: automatic
Number of gears: 3
Standard tyres: 205/70 VR 15
Performance – Factory claim
Top speed: 225 km/h / 140 mph
0-60 mph (s): 7.5
0-100 km/h (s): 7.9
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