1994 Daimler Majestic Insignia 6.0 V12

The 1994 Daimler Double Six Majestic Insignia is an imported RHD example that's not only rare (the vendor believes only 7 such cars were produced) but also has the kind of condition that makes owning a car like this an even better proposition. It also has a new V5 issued, along with a recent major service and thorough inspection done. It now has an 'MPH' speedometer face and a new MoT certificate, making it ready to be driven by the new owner. The car still has its manufacturer stickers and labels intact — many of which are in Japanese. Apart from the full-sized spare wheel (alloy), this Daimler also has its jack, tool kit, and mats. The original cassette radio has been swapped with a more modern Bluetooth-equipped Alpine CD player. The current odometer reading is 99561 km or 62225.62 miles.

The Daimler Double Six Majestic Insignia wasn't just a feature-loaded version of the XJ40 (or XJ81, in the V12 guise). The biggest difference between this and a standard car, apart from the rarity, is that it's longer — and the rear doors are the clearer giveaway. Of course, to the untrained eye, it mightn't be as noticeable. The increased wheelbase opened up more room for the rear occupants whereas the taller roof meant the headroom wasn't constrained either. But it doesn't deviate too much from the proportionate body of the standard XJ40. The Insignia-specific paint and interior choices add further exclusivity to the car, too.

The 1994 Daimler Double Six Majestic Insignia's Mystic Blue paint looks flawless, its bodywork shows none of the usual signs of ageing, and there's no surface rust visible, either. The vendor mentions that the car has had a full machine polish with ceramic sealer applied to it. That explains the brilliant shine you see in the photos. One of the wheels has some discolouration going on while one of the rear lights has a small crack. There are some marks on the paint, but nothing major. On the whole, for a car nearly three decades old, this Double Six is magnificent.

While the 'Majestic' bit meant extended wheelbase (by nearly 5 inches), 'Insignia' denotes involving Jaguar SVO for special inclusions like (reference: Jaguar's brochure from the period) exclusive paints, all-leather interior, natural or tinted wood, luxurious road wheel options. The interior material and veneer could also be colour-coded, making the car more exclusive, if not outrightly bespoke. These could be availed on both the standard straight-six-engined Daimler 4.0 and the V12-engined Daimler Double Six.

The vendor mentions that this 1994 Double Six has two-tone grey leather trim with leather parts like dashboard top, door cards, sun visors, etc. The car has electrically adjustable front seats with memory and heating, and the heated rear seats can also be reclined electrically. Making the car ideal for rear seat occupants, it comes equipped with a rear centre console, rear screen blind, rear foot rests, etc. The interior leather has been professionally cleaned, too, further adds the vendor.

In terms of condition, as can be seen in the photos, there's not much that detracts from the original look of the car's interior except the slight damage on the wood around the gear lever. Some age-related marks aside, the cabin looks fresh and superbly maintained. Plus the way the centre console is integrated, how its seat-back trays pop out, and the look of the wooden veneer, all these definitely add to the experience.

The XJ81 (codename for the V12-engined XJ of this generation) was brought out after the car was updated for various improvements, including the ability to house larger engines. In the Daimler Double Six, the 6-litre V12 made 318 hp and 342 lb. ft. The 0-60 mph time, slightly irrelevant here, was an impressive 6.9 seconds whereas the top speed was 155 mph. All that from a car that weighed two tonnes (without any occupants) isn't bad at all.

This 1994 car has about 100,000 km on it, but it's nearly spot-free. It's benefitted from a major service recently, which included replacement of suspension bushes, oil, etc., says the vendor. It's in UK spec including the speedo face in MPH, and it also gets full-size plate plinths for the front and the rear. It has two airbags, cruise control, AC that works well, electric mirrors, etc. so driving this regularly isn't likely to be an issue. The vendor mentions that it has original panels throughout and there's no rust — which can be confirmed by looking at the photos.

This imported 1994 Daimler Double Six Majestic Insignia has a new V5, according to which it has no former keepers in the UK. It was first registered in 1994 while the first UK registration happened earlier this year. Its MoT certificate is valid till March 2023.

The XJ81 was launched towards the end of the XJ40's run, with the replacement X300 brought out in just about two years. This means that Jaguar didn’t sell too many XJ12s or Double Sixes. Cars like the Majestic Insignia are rare, and more so in the V12-engined guise.

The V12 Jaguars were a class above the rest, and the XJ81 isn't any different. It might've come after years of wait, very close to when the XJ40 chapter was about to be closed, but none of that matters. The 1994 Daimler Double Six Majestic Insignia isn't a regular Double Six, either; it's the peak of V12-engined Jaguar saloons from that era.

At an estimated £12,000 - £16,000, one doesn't just get a rare V12-engined Jaguar but a car that's been specced with two very desirable options: LWB (and taller roof) and exclusive paint, interior trims. The overall condition of this car makes its case even stronger. The Mystic Blue paint suits it well and complements the well-maintained, rust-free body and nearly pristine interior. Plus when you do get bored of looking at it (or feeling smug about its looks), a little prod at the throttle pedal will show what travelling (fast) in style feels like.

This Daimler is offered from the trade.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.