1996 Daimler Double Six Century

Finished in Spruce Green Pearl with a piped Silk leather interior, ‘VIJ 934’ belongs to a chap in the trade. He’s had it for a decade now, which would suggest it’s a good ‘un – and when you learn his business is buying and selling Jaguars, any doubt as to the quality of this one vanishes.

One of only a hundred V12 cars built, its history file even includes an original Daimler Century sales brochure plus period projector slides and photographs. 

Always kept in a heated garage, it’s been run on a regular basis to keep everything lubricated and working as it should. 

Still showing just 57,000 miles on the odometer, he’s only selling it because he finds himself in the enviable position of having too many classics in his collection.

The coachwork is very good, and we can do no better than to quote the owner himself: “There is no rust or rot around windscreen, A-pillars, front or rear wings, bonnet, or boot. All are the original panels too, and the car has never been welded.”

We’d add that regular polishing has kept the Spruce Green Pearl coachwork looking splendid. The colour is so dark as to be almost black, and we all know how ruthlessly cars as dark as this highlight flaws, don’t we?

The fact this one looks as good as it does tells you everything you need to know because any dinks, dents or other flaws would be so brutally obvious, no matter how glossy the polish.

The metal sunroof opens and closes as it should at the touch of a button, and seals tightly in its aperture.

The wheels are not the originals. Instead, they are 17-inch Solar alloys fitted with new Yokohama Advan tyres. However, the original 16-inch chrome turbines have been retained and come with the car.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

Other niceties include headlamp jet wash, a tilt and slide sunroof, and chrome body mouldings and mirrors.

As for flaws, there is a mark on the boot lid and a little surface rust starting inside the sunroof.

If you thought the exterior was well-appointed then wait until you open the door and see the sumptuous cabin. 

The hide is piped Silk, and this extends to the seats, door cards, and centre console. 

There is also, of course, air-conditioning, a wood ‘n’ leather heated steering wheel that electrically adjusts, electrically adjustable heated front seats, and a Harmon Kardon stereo system. 

The rear seats are the unusual side-by-side configuration, which gives them a greater sense of luxury, albeit at the loss of one space. 

But it’s absolutely worth the price because not only do the rear seats recline they are also heated – and the luxury doesn’t end there because they also enjoy a fold-down walnut picnic table each, a fabulous leather-covered centre console, electrically adjustable monogrammed headrests, and a rear blind to shade them from the sun or prying eyes. 

Plus, masses of legroom, obviously, all the better to wriggle their toes into the deep-pile lamb’s wool mats that are fitted front and rear.

The boot is very neatly trimmed and plays home to the Jaguar CD multichanger, Harmon Kardon amplifier, warning triangle, and full-size spare alloy wheel. The boot floor looks good, although the wheel would benefit from being refurbished.

A new headlining has been fitted, the installation of which must have been complicated by the presence of roof-mounted vanity mirrors in the rear. Nonetheless, the installer rose to the challenge and the new headlining looks terrific.

As does the extensive wooden veneer. In fact, it’s so good we can’t find a single thing to criticise bar a missing cover for one of the rear grab handles.

The stamps in the Service Record shows the following:

• Two-year service by Guy Salmon Jaguar Coventry
• Three-year service by Guy Salmon Jaguar Coventry
• 23.08.2006 and 48,423 miles – service by R.A. Creamer & Son Ltd
• 11.11.2008 and 56,779 miles – service by R.A. Creamer & Son Ltd
• 05.07.2012 and 57,775 miles – service by Harwoods Jaguar
• 03.01.2014 and 57,861 miles – service by Harwoods Jaguar
• 01.08.2014 and 57,934 miles – service by XJ Cars
• 06.03.2016 and 57,975 miles – service by XJ Cars
• 07.01.2019 and 58,011 miles – service by XJ Cars
• 06.03.2023 and 58,069 miles – service by XJ Cars

Other recent work includes a new radiator, suspension bushes, a battery, and an alternator.

As you’d expect given who owns it, the V12 engine “starts from cold with no issues at all, runs on all twelve cylinders smoothly, and there are no unusual exhaust emissions or rattles. The gearbox changes through all gears smoothly, there are no suspension clunks or knocks, it brakes smoothly and in a straight line, there are no noises from the wheel bearings or differential, and the power steering works as it should. There are no warning lights on the dashboard and all the instruments work well.”

The video shows it starting and idling well, and while it is wonderfully civilised inside the cabin, the twin exhausts produce a deliciously sporty note under acceleration.

We note that it idles a little high, but the seller did mention the throttle linkage was sticking a bit the last time he drove it. Also, the ammeter isn’t showing a charge.

The engine bay is in a decent condition but given how good everything else is we can see the new owner will probably want to spend some time under the bonnet cleaning and freshening it up.

There is some surface rust starting on the trailing edge of the bonnet as well as on some of the ancillaries and brackets.

As for the underside, the online MoT history hadn’t mentioned rot or structural corrosion, which is reassuring. The underseal is starting to peel and flake, so could do with being wire brushed and replenished.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the Daimler comes with two keys, a current V5 in the seller’s name, the Drivers Handbook, a stamped Service Record, and the wallet.

The Daimler doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and the last one expired in 2014. It’s been in storage since then and hasn’t been driven on the road.

Only being sold because he finds himself in the familiar position of having acquired too many cars to be able to use them all, this wonderful Daimler Double Six Century probably provides more luxury than anything else at the price point. 

Which is a very reasonable £8,000 -£12,000 but given it is being offered with no reserve, it may be even cheaper.

Yes, you’re going to have to take a bit of a gamble as it hasn’t got an MoT but we know the seller and he’s fastidious, so it make not be as big a risk as you think.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.