1966 Daimler 2.5 V8

Description

• UNSOLD at auction November 2022
• Power Steering
• Borg Warner 35 Automatic gearbox
• Fully restored with a photographic restoration record
• Around 800 pages of history
• New short block engine
• Original handbooks
• A lovely example

On 26^th May 1960 Jaguar announced it had acquired Daimler. With the imminent need to return Daimler to profit, a new model was launched. The Daimler 2.5 litre V8 saloon. Fitted with Daimler’s own Edward Turner designed 2.5 litre V8 engine, with subtle and upmarket changes to trim levels and external accoutrements such as the use of fluted Daimler grille and boot nacelle, the car revitalised the brand.

History and paperwork

This Daimler 2.5 V8 was first registered on 20^th June 1966

Our vendor purchased the Daimler 2.5 V8 in 2011

• He knew three of the previous owners
• The last owner carried out “a full restoration” in 1990
• This included a reconditioned gearbox and new torque convertor
• Date stamped photos show the work carried out
• Our vendor has since had fitted a new totally electronic distributor plus new stainless steel bumpers, and new 4x pot front brake callipers (these were better than the original 2x pot callipers) and the rear brake callipers were reconditioned as well

Prior to his ownership, the Daimler has been:

• fitted with Power Assisted Steering
• converted from a dynamo to an alternator
• a corresponding upgrade to the dashboard a volt meter has also been carried out

Our vendor tells us “I have owned the car for 11 years and have maintained it regardless of cost. The Daimler has since travelled only 50,000 miles – it has travelled approximately 2,000 miles a year and is never taken out in the rain. The car has been kept in an insulated garage, with a de-humidifier on constantly. The car has been totally undersealed and also waxoiled in all the box sections + boot.”

A number of paper MOT certificates are in our Image Gallery going back the 1980s

Inside

The super interior of the Daimler is a cut above its stable cousins. This one has the bonus of being fully restored too.

• The dove grey leather seats are said to be “in perfect condition”.
• The carpets have Daimler logo over mats
• All the chrome architecture is in “excellent condition”
• All the wood / veneer has “patination for its age”. To be honest, looking at the Gallery you’ll come to the same conclusion as we did. It is very lovely.
• Modern front inertia seatbelts are fitted
• A Motorlita wooden steering wheel is in place (the original is supplied with the Daimler)
• In another nod to modernity the Daimler has a Sony radio / C/D player and speakers.
• The rear door cards are “perfect”
• The front door cards “have a small mark approx. – 1 inch in length (probably caused by catching the original static seat belt buckles there by a previous owner)”.
• The headlining and the sun visors are in “perfect condition”.

The classic Smiths clocks, gauges and switch-gear that define these great classic Daimler 2.5 V8s is how you’d expect, delightful. The massive practical boot is clean and tidy too.

The Daimler 2.5 V8 luxurious interior is plusher than its cousins and more practical too. The front seats close together means the whole classic car experience is much more enjoyable.

A great deal of money has been spent in this area as you can see from the Image Gallery.

Outside

As part of the restoration this Daimler 2.5 V8 had a full respray with all the work associated with that. You’ll judge from the comprehensive images the quality of the Abysse Metallic Blue paintwork.

As a measure of how particular our vendor, Donald, is he had work carried out recently as in his view he “didn’t want anyone to have any problems” with the Daimler. As we all know the outside of that lovely curvaceous boot can be a corrosion hot spot. Donald had an area cut out and a genuine repair panel fitted recently prior to putting into our auction.

The very expensive and hard to find external chrome is all good. Those chrome wire set the dark blue paint off magnificently. The so-called big bumpers on the Daimler 2.5 V8s which were later reduced to cost saving slimmer ones on the different 250, take the whole look to another level.

Engine and mechanical

The unstressed V8 is a superb unit. More so when it is coupled to a factory automatic gearbox. Add in power steering and the Daimler is a joy to drive.

The restoration wasn’t just exclusive to the bodywork

• Power steering fitted
• New engine block
• Rebuilt engine
• Gearbox “refurbished”
• New torque convertor fitted
• Stainless Steel exhaust

It looks to have been well maintained and sits in a tidy and original looking engine bay. In any event, having covered about two thousand miles a year miles in ten years, we don’t expect any issues with these ultra reliable V8s.

The 2.5 V8 delivers 140bhp and should is good for around 110mph.

The engine comes with the factory original SU HS8 twin carburettors with air filters, which is quite rare. That is always a good sign that a classic has been well looked after.

The bottom line.

The Daimler 2.5 V8, is, without doubt, is one of Coventry’s finest. The unmistakable body lines. The V8 burble. The whole package radiates class, performance and enjoyment.

This classic Daimler does look very nice. It has a superb interior. A very good body and mechanical overhaul. That lovely auto ‘box mated with power steering.

Long term ownership is often a good sign of a good classic. By knowing both previous owners our vendor knew this Daimler well. There is a strong sense this is a great car.