1992 DAIMLER Double Six TWR

Background

PLEASE NOTE THAT AN AUCTION PREMIUM WILL BE CHARGED, ON TOP OF THE HAMMER PRICE, OF 5% (+VAT IN THE UK AND EUROPE). FROM 16TH JAN'23 THIS APPLIES TO ALL AUCTIONS ON THE MARKET, AND FEES ARE CAPPED AT £5,000 (+VAT)

The era of the Jaguar XJ was something of a Golden Age for Jaguar and Daimler saloons: the achingly gorgeous XJ (‘eXperimental Jaguar’) range was starting to benefit from a few years of production line expertise, something that helped ease some of the earlier cars’ wrinkles while also proving that a properly sorted (for ‘properly sorted’ read ‘properly built’ because the integrity of the engineering had never been in doubt) Jaguar was a force to be reckoned with.

And if the Jaguar XJ/Daimler Sovereign was to steal the title of The Best Car in The World from the Germans it needed a better-than-average engine propelling it; while the straight sixes were a fine choice if halfway-decent fuel consumption was your goal, the magnificent 5.3-litre V12 was the engine you really wanted under that perfectly proportioned bonnet.

While the XJ name might have been suitably futuristic, FRW ‘Lofty’ England named the V12-equipped Daimler the ‘Double-Six’ in a nod to the cars built between 1926 and 1938.

The Series I and II cars were fitted with the 5,343 SOHC V12 engine, while the later cars from 1981 onwards received the high-compression Fireball cylinder head, at which point the V12 developed 299bhp alongside much better torque and slightly better fuel efficiency than the earlier cars.

And, despite an aging chassis and interior - and a constant battle to meet ever-more stringent emissions regulations - the press and public continued to love ‘em, even well into the late 1990s.

As Autocar & Motor magazine wrote in 1991, ‘there’s still something about the Jaguar – its innate restraint, good taste and grace – that the others lack entirely. It’s a beautiful car and for some, that will always be enough.’

PS. Let’s face it; owning an old Jaguar XJ6 is a bit Arthur Daley, while owning an iconic Daimler Double-Six is very much an Old Money approach to classic motoring. Which brings us neatly to this…

The Vehicle

Finished in the fetching combination of Brookland Green over Jade Green, this Daimler Double-Six is finished to TWR cosmetic specification. Its exact provenance is unclear because we understand that the TWR contract was with Jaguar alone, so we are guessing that it was either converted by TWR in Japan, where the car has spent the majority of its life, or may have been a one-off conversion prior to export. What is certain, is that we don't know its ultimate origin, but we certainly do like it!

Bought on a whim from a mate of his in the trade, the seller can’t add anything to the car’s history other than to point out that it’s remarkably free of rust and corrosion, and has a good service history in addition to the TWR accoutrements.

Being sold with a sensible guide price but no reserve, this is one for the Jaguar/Daimler enthusiast with an eye for the quirky and a nose for a good ‘un.

On the Outside

With the body finished in Brooklands Green (colour code HFB) with the contrasting TWR body kit being painted in Jade Green, the Double-Six presents a striking visage.

It helps that, like so many cars from Japan, this one has been looked after uncommonly well, which means there’s no denying this car’s presence or condition. Straight flanks and good shutlines form the starting point, with the deep Brooklands Green paintwork showing off the Daimler’s sleek lines to great effect.

That TWR body kit adds an unusual twist to the familiar shape, and that’s all in good shape too bar one small crack (#110) and a scuff (#137).

The chromework is pretty good too, with a nice lustre and no rust – and isn’t the Daimler bonnet ornament a thing of beauty?

The JaguarSport alloy wheels are good with only a few minor surface blemishes to mar their finish, blemishes that are superficial and cosmetic rather than actual damage (i.e. #201 and #203). They’re fitted with matching Goodyear EfficientGrip tyres as well, all of which look to have good tread.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

Work to do is minor. There’s a chip to the windscreen (#125), a small bubble at the base of the glass (#127), and some corrosion to the trim on the offside A-pillar (#128).

On the Inside

The Parchment hide is as extensive as it is beautifully preserved; the whole British wood ‘n’ leather thing may be a bit of a cliché but clichés become so for a reason, and cars like this are it.

And while the materials may be familiar, the presence of a pair of Recaro seats up front is anything but. As figure-hugging and supportive as you’d expect from a company with Recaro’s pedigree, they’re in great shape and very comfortable.

The sporting theme continues with a four-spoke TWR JaguarSport steering wheel.

The rear seats might not be as sportingly styled but they’re in an even better condition than those in the front, so we’ll call it a draw, shall we? Those in the back get to enjoy a pair of reading lamps too, plus the sort of fat armrest that’s wide enough to separate even the most combatant children.

The carpets are dry and in a good condition and lifting them doesn’t reveal anything untoward.

The headlining and door cards are good too, and the (clean) boot is home to the full-size spare alloy wheel and tool kit.

The Jaguar radio is the pull-out variety we’d all but forgotten about, and the trip computer is wonderfully retro.

Flaws are few. The air-conditioning isn’t working, so that will need attention and some of the walnut veneer is cracked (i.e. #20 and #75).

Oh, and there’s a period Panasonic carphone fitted to the armrest. Some might see this as a bit of an eyesore and want to remove it but we love it; it’s very of-the-period and a guaranteed conversation starter!

Underneath

Of course, the engine bay lacks the plastic cladding that’s ubiquitous these days, so you can see it in all its magnificent - and complex - glory. There are a couple of TWR stickers under there too, which adds to the car’s mystery.

As you can see in the video, it starts well and runs smoothly. Subdued within, it also generates a very attractive exhaust note for the benefit of passers-by.

The underside is very clean and shows only very light surface corrosion. This could be easily removed prior to the application of a coat of decent underseal.

History Highlights

The Daimler’s maintenance history is recorded in the service history booklet as follows:

· 02.01.1994 and 1,200 miles – service by UP Garage Auto Servicing

· 15.02.1995 and 9,000 miles – service by UP Garage Auto Servicing

· 04.01.1996 and 13,876 miles – service by UP Garage Auto Servicing

· 14.01.1997 and 23,251 miles – service by UP Garage Auto Servicing

· 31.02.2004 and 29,231 miles – service by UP Garage Auto Servicing

· 17.08.2011 and 36,310 miles – service by UP Garage Auto Servicing

· 18.02.2012 and 48,274 miles – service by UP Garage Auto Servicing

· 20.11.2014 and 58,360 miles – service by UP Garage Auto Servicing

· 28.10.2016 and 58,128 miles – service by UP Garage Auto Servicing

· 22.05.2023 and 64,110 miles – service by Tyres & Auto Centre

The Daimler has an MOT certificate to 22nd July, 2023.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clean and the car comes with the book pack and two sets of keys.

The personalised registration number comes with the car.

What We Think

With an uncertain provenance with regards to the TWR element of its DNA, the only certainty here is its condition, which is staggeringly good for a Daimler Sovereign from the early 1990s.

And while we would never use the term ‘rust free’ we think we’re on solid ground when we say it’s remarkably free of the sort of rot and corrosion you’d usually see on a car of this era, and a day or so with a wire brush and some underseal should keep it looking this good for many years to come.

As to its value, we think it’s going to sell for somewhere between £13,000 and £18,000, but as it is being sold with no reserve, it’s going to sell no matter what.

So, why not have a flutter and see what happens? After all, the very worst outcome is you get to pop a V12-engined super-saloon in your garage with an interesting history – and that can’t ever be a bad thing, can it?

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Video Review