1984 Daimler 4.2

Brian Warren has been the custodian of this stylish Daimler for the past 29 years and is just the fourth owner from new. “It’s a one-off due to the fact that it was produced in 1984 when Jaguar/Daimler were members of BLMC, so it comes with all the goodies of the upmarket Vanden Plas model. Later, during that year, it withdrew from the company losing the right to use the name. The colour of this example is Tudor White, which was only supplied to customers with CEO status – a little bit of one-upmanship!” 

The current mileage reads 85,237 miles and the vehicle comes with a comprehensive history from new (see History section, below). “The total amount of money that I have spent maintaining the car is indicated by the supplied receipts. It amounts roughly to several thousand pounds on things like stainless steel exhaust pipes, a new interior headlining, new starter motor, an engine overhaul with all new gaskets, new rear brake pads, a fresh sunshine roof motor, new main headlight units, Jaguar/Daimler over-mats front and rear, as well as many small items too numerous to list”.

Another point of interest he highlights, is the fact that the DVLA currently lists this as the only Daimler Sovereign Vanden Plas left for the registration year 1984. “Condition is, in my opinion, excellent for a vehicle now nearly 41 years old and one without major work having been found necessary, and still with its original paintwork. Regarding road performance, it’s still very much a contender when it comes to performance – a real force and something to be very proud of”.

Unfortunately, Brian lost his wife last year and that has led directly to his decision to sell. “I’m afraid that that the excitement of going to classic car shows, and possibly winning a trophy, has been lost”. 

Finished in Tudor White, this Series III Daimler Sovereign remains in wonderful condition with straight body panels and, save for some small age-related imperfections, a pretty much immaculate finish to the paintwork. All drains, gutters and door-shuts remain exceptionally clean. Along both of the car’s majestic flanks you will find sweeping chrome door trims that line up perfectly.

There are no obvious signs of any parking dinks or dents. Wheel arches too are clean, with no noticeable signs of corrosion. Bright work remains in smart condition and both bumpers retain a deep black finish, making it clear that this vehicle has always been garaged.

Two Cibie spotlights are fitted, with mud-flaps in situ at the rear of all four tyres. The alloy wheels are shod in matching Pirelli P4000 tyres, each with plenty of tread remaining, and are finished in silver with dark grey centre panels, lending the car an elegantly sporting demeanour. 

The Daimler’s interior is everything you’d expect of a car aimed firmly at Great Britain’s executive brigade, with lashings of leather, burr walnut aplenty and thick carpets. Add to that a fit and finish par excellence, and still, to this day, it provides a wonderfully cosseting environment in which to enjoy the car’s high-speed wares. 

The burgundy leather seats are in excellent health displaying just the gentlest of patinas, with some very light cracking and creasing present. The door cards are in excellent health and the headlining (replaced by Brian) remains in mark-free, tip-top condition.

Up front, the dashboard is free from any cracking. The burr walnut fascia panels are in fine health with no apparent signs of crazing to the lacquer finish. Instrument glass remains clear with no obvious marks to any of the bezels. 

“There are a couple of points relevant to the sale,” says Brian. “The air-conditioning will need re-gassing due to the car doing less mileage over the past few years. That was my decision and not a fault. Also, on the day of collection, would you believe it, the control button for the nearside front passenger window decided to fail. I only found this out when I opened it to enable me to connect a tyre pressure gauge to inflate the tyres… I believe this need only be the control switch, itself”. 

In the boot you will find a full tool kit, as well as an emergency kit and immaculate spare alloy wheel shod in Pirelli P5 rubber. An outdoor car cover is provided, as is a box full of classic car show trophies! Underneath all of this, the body-coloured metal appears to be, as elsewhere, rust-free. 

Stunningly original. 

The big 4.2-litre straight-six engine spins readily to life (see 3mins 01sec into our Video, above) with the sound elicited from the vehicle’s twin-tailpipes suitably sporting. As Brian stated earlier, the engine received an overhaul with all new gaskets fitted. It presents very smartly in the engine bay, too. 

The underside looks to be in excellent condition. It’s well protected with fresh looking rust-proofing product in place and lower-valance and lower-sill edges that look to be in very fine health indeed. It’s as impressively clean underneath, as it is elsewhere. 

As stated above, the Daimler comes with a full history from new. This includes all the original handbooks and vehicle literature. The included V5c Registration Document shows the car’s date of first UK registration to be 06/12/1984 and confirms just three owners prior to Brian. 

You will find a large range of expired road tax discs and MOT test certificates present in the history file, as well as numerous invoices for works carried out over the years. 

Also present is a recent online vehicle history check, which shows no known issues regarding outstanding finance on the car, theft, having been written off, importation/exportation, an expired MOT certificate or tax.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos to support our claim that this Daimler 4.2 Vanden Plas has been maintained to a very good standard. 

Consignment specialist Paul Hegarty states: “considered the best car in the world in its day, 40 years later this cherished example is still a formidable mode of transport”. That’s not hyperbole, because this wonderfully original example of an exalted breed still provides a supremely luxurious driving experience. 

Presented in rare Tudor White, and one of the very last of the Vanden Plas-badged Daimler variants, it also provides a highly pleasing combination of both exclusivity and rarity. The fact that we estimate its value to be somewhere between £10,000 and £15,000 surely demonstrates just how much value for money these executive expresses still provide in today’s market. 

Lovingly cared for by its enthusiast owner, this Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Vanden Plas is in immaculately clean condition all round and is ready for fresh adventures. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.