1966 DAIMLER 2.5 V8
(Jaguar Mk2)
SOLD - Straight body, no rust. The car was originally white and had a re-spray several years ago. Paint is in fair condition, long scrape on right front door. Chrome is good.
Engine is said to have undergone a rebuild several years ago, but I have no way to verify. Previous owner says the car was driven before disassembly of interior and put in storage. I have not had time to try and get running. I bought with the assumption that an engine rebuild as well as hydraulics would be required.
Interior is mostly out of the car. I think the leather can be cleaned and dyed then reused. Red is the interiors original color. Most vinyl trim is useable, and the wood is in good shape. the transmission tunnel has been modified (cut) at some point. My ideas was to put in a manual gearbox, so this was not of a concern. It will require some repair if you aim to retain the automatic (comes with spare transmission.) Needs carpet and headliner. Car appears to be complete.
For those unfamiliar with the Daimler nameplate, Daimler is one of the oldest British auto manufacturers, and were renowned for their luxury automobiles and limousines. Jaguar purchased the Daimler company from BSA (famous for motorcycles) in 1960. The Daimler name was subsequently used by Jaguar to denote their top of the line models, and in 1962, the Daimler version of the Jaguar Mk2 was introduced.
The Daimler 2.5 V8 is the only car Jaguar produced which did not have a Jaguar designed engine. The 2.5 liter V8 was an Edward Turner (of motorcycle fame-remember the bsa link) designed engine, which produced 140bhp at 5,800rpm. the twin aluminum heads are interchangeable, the valves being operated by a single camshaft centrally mounted high in the block between the V (it is a 90 degree V8.)
In tuned form, this relatively lightweight V8 is capable of producing considerably more horsepower than in standard trim. This makes the prospect of a Daimler race car appealing to me. The daimler version is lighter than her Jaguar sister, and with a lower front end weight, a better handling car. Disc brakes all around, makes for an appealing vintage racing sedan.
One of approximately 12,376 RHD Daimler 2.5 V8's made between 1962 and 1968. The car number is P1A12250BW, and 875 cars away from the end of production.