CLASSICS CHATTER AUCTION UPDATES: 1967 DAIMLER SOVEREIGN (3.8 Litre)

"COMING TO AUCTION"

FROM

SATURDAY 6th JUNE 2015

BROOKLANDS MUSEUM, WEYBRIDGE, SURREY

1967 DAIMLER SOVEREIGN (3.8 Litre)

Based on the 1966 Jaguar 420, a derivation of the previous S-Type model, the Daimler Sovereign was readily identified by the traditional Daimler fluted radiator surround and the interior was furnished with finest quality leather hide upholstery, polished figured walnut instrument panel and deep pile carpets that were sufficiently luxurious to satisfy Daimler's established clientele.

The 420 and Sovereign differed from the S-Type in having a revised four-headlight nose reminiscent of the Jaguar Mk. X and were powered by a 4.2 litre version of the straight-six XK engine. There were thoughts of fitting the Sovereign with the Daimler 4.5 litre V8 engine, as used in the Majestic Major but, as this was significantly more powerful than the Jaguar XK unit and would have led to the Sovereign outperforming the Jaguar 420. Consequently company management did not pursue the idea as the Jaguar marque was the one with the sporting image.

The 1967 Daimler Sovereign offered here was built to special order and is of unique specification. In place of the standard 4.2 litre twin carburettor engine is a 3.8 litre E-Type engine with its full complement of three carburettors which was quoted as producing 265bhp, 20bhp more than the standard 4.2 litre unit. The gearbox is a four speed manual with overdrive which was normally only available as an option on the Jaguar 420 and not the Daimler. Also unusual are the wire wheels with knock-off hub spinners and the battery is in the boot rather than under the bonnet, both features original to this car.

This Daimler has very recently been repatriated after spending many years abroad. We are informed that the first owner was Pink Floyd drummer, Nick Mason and that he bought the Sovereign as a present to himself after the band's first hit. Documents supporting this are presently being sought by the vendor .The Daimler was then exported to Belgium then to Germany and later to France, where the current vendor purchased it. It has recently been resprayed in its original colour of dark blue and the seats have been Connolised. Other recent work includes a replacement exhaust, a rebuild of the braking system and the carburettors have been tuned. The vendor has informed us that a new set of door sealing rubbers will be fitted before the sale.

A short drive showed that the car drives well and the engine shows good oil pressure. The ride is smooth and the rebuilt brakes stop the car well. The Daimler has an MoT test certificate valid until April 2016 and comes with French ownership documents and some old MoT test certificates. A V5C has been applied for and the car wears its original registration mark, JAG 163, which we are informed will be made non-transferable by DVLA as part of the application.

This would, no doubt, respond to some further interior restoration which, in view of its unusual history and unique specification, would prove well worth doing. It is an interesting car and offered at a most attractive estimate.