1974 | Daimler DS 420

1974 Daimler DS420 Vanden Plas Limousine
Vin Number: 1M2701
Registration Number: VHX922M
MOT exempt
A really perfect example that has been garage kept from new & thus is completely solid & rust free with just 36,500 miles indicated on the odometer. The current owner, a retired octogenarian ex naval commander purchased the car in 2007 & has maintained it without regard to cost spending lots of money on new suspension & running gear items etc. To that end a thick file of bills too copious to photograph in their entirety comes with the car.
Exterior two tone paintwork is light maroon over black suiting the car exremely well. To the interior is black leather up front & red leather to the rear. Beautiful burr walnut is found front & rear extending to the cocktail cabinet containing crystal decanters & cut glass tumblers. Between the seats is a champagne bucket for keeping the bubbly cool. Twin occasional seats fold out of the bulkhead making this a true 7 seat vehicle.
In the cavernous boot are two grey sheepskin rugs for use by the rear passengers when required & also a brand new spare wheel. The 4.2 litre twin cam Jaguar straight six fires up instantly & gives the limousine a slightly unseemly turn of speed if pressed hard. These are bullet proof items lifted directly from the Jaguar XJ6's of the day & offer plenty of power combined with excellent reliability. An embassy flag staff is located in the middle of the bonnet should the car return to Ambassadorial duties.
This particular example is a high spec Vanden Plas example which benefitted from thicker better quality chrome work when new unlike the more prosaic mass produced examples. Please do not mistake or compare this vehicle with some of the cheap rusty ill serviced & abused examples out there. Simply put I have not seen a better one.
The car is located in Yeovil Somerset where it may be viewed by prior appointment.
Notes from the onwer:
**Restoration. Major items.:-**Bare metal respray, except doorshuts.
All leather in Pax compartment replaced with burgundy Connolly hide
Headlining replaced.
All carpets in Pax compartment renewed in burgundy.
All chrome plating renewed
Refurbished running gear, including rear axle, new brake discs all round.
Additional centre console added under dashboard, housing modern Radio & CD player
Surround sound speakers added
Front windows have been electrified
Electric Kenlow cooling fan fitted.

About the Car:-
I like to think of the paintwork as burgundy, rather than maroon although the V5 says maroon! The colour scheme typifies that of the Royal Household cars. (The DS420 was a favourite of the late Queen Mother)
The main point about the Vanden Plas coachwork is the fact that the body was made from a much thicker gauge of steel than later mass-produced models and therefore was less subject to rust.
The electric division can be operated by both the driver and the rear occupants.The sheepskins are in fact rugs for the floor..I describe the 4.2 Jag engine as 'Bombproof' !!