Story and History

1972 Daimler Double Six SWB - 45.000 miles only

A super rare model - so rare in fact no official production figures exist - as they were only available to special order, the Vanden Plas Double Six being the more commonly favoured version.

We have a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate confirming despatch to Botwoods of Norwich in December 1972 and original registration, DUN 1, on 1st January 1973 to Frettenham Line Ltd.

Subsequently Mr P.G. Egmore bought her from Mann Eggerton Ltd, Norwich in October 1975 (at 26.533 miles) and then she went into the long term ownership of Geoffrey Priest & family (registered 31 PE); in whose possession she remained until 2004.

She was hardly used between 1981 and 1990 when her mileage moved from 36.235 to 38.064.

She finally changed hands in 2004 (41.990 miles) to Richard Thompson, who kept her until we bought her in 2009 with a total mileage at that time of 43.454.

Her history folder also contains an unmolested Daimler Double Six Instruction Manual and a very rare period sales brochure.

During our tenure we had her wooden fascia removed and repolished by our Rolls-Royce Wood Restorer and the rev counter has been overhauled. We have also changed her front seat belts for new and also fitted rear belts whilst there.

Other than that the interior is in remarkably fine and original condition, more reminiscent of a gentleman's club room than that of a motor car

The original fitment radiomobile push button radio and electric aerial still work perfectly as do all other instruments and controls

The carpet in the rear over the transmission tunnel is rather blond where the sun has come through - we didn't and still don't propose to change this.

We stripped her to bare metal and repainted the coachwork in Rolls-Royce Oxford Blue - when stripped she was found, as we had hoped, to be in remarkably rust free condition. She was obviously undersealed when new - we have done the same again.

She has a period extra fascia panel with various options fitted - wiper dwell, ice alert & test and various warning lights (stop lamp, rear side lamp fail, fog lamps etc) - all of which we had overhauled to ensure correct operation.

Externally she has sundym glass, chrome pressed wheels, chrome side moulding strip and a hand painted fine line in red to match the interior.

After these works were completed we sold her to her 5th owner, what is called a Captain of Industry, who kept her in a secure garage in Paris, close to his home. He drove her home from Kensington when he bought her and continued to use her sparingly for special journey's taking her mileage now up to just over 45.000

All maintenance has been carried out, to coin an often used phrase, without thought for expense and indeed at the first sign of a slight weep from a head gasket, he instructed the engineers to remove both heads and replace all gaskets and inspect the engine. There is a bill on file to verify this which amounts together with servicing to nearly 8.000 Euros.

All was considered to be in tip top nick and we can verify this, for we drove her back from Paris ourselves - a sheer joy giving un-adultered pleasure throughout the journey back home, completed without a hiccup with speeds at times indicated of over 100mph being around 4.000 rpm

In period this was the fastest 4 door production saloon in the world - over 140mph and reaching 60mph in a touch under 7 seconds.

On the road this car is still today an exemplary performer, smooth, fast and agile whilst the engine is a revelation with just so much pulling power.

We do so like this car which belies its' age with uncanny road manners, quietness and performance too - no wonder Car Magazine labelled the VdP version the Best Car in the World 5 years later!!!