1968 Daimler V8-250

Restored between 2014 and 2016 by Bob Fisher's Garage in Kent at a cost of more than £17,000 in total, this 1968 Daimler V8-250 is finished in Opalescent Golden Sand with a tan leather interior.

The history file shows the original hemispherical head (hereafter just called a Hemi, obviously…) V8 engine was replaced in 1991 but, more importantly, it was reconditioned in 2016 as part of the restoration, contributing £3,000 to the final bill. The odometer was reading just 17,000 miles at the time, which means the engine’s covered under 3,000 miles since then.

Some colours just suit a car and none sets the mood better than Opalescent Golden Sand on a classic Jaguar/Daimler saloon. Subtle and discreet, it’s an

interesting twist on the understated metallic more usually occupied by the silver palette.

The paint is in good shape too, something the condition of the panels contributes to in no little way. They’re straight and true and free of dents, dinks and other damage, of course, but it’s their alignment that really impresses.

It’s the shutlines you notice first, followed by the alignment of the chromework. The latter, which is such an important part of the Daimler’s considerable presence and most of which was rechromed as part of the restoration, is also good with only odd piece showing the light pitting.

The details also withstand scrutiny, like the Lucas repeater lamps on the top of the front wings. And the Daimler bonnet emblem and rear numberplate lamp.

The wheels are in great shape and are fitted with a matching set of Hifly tyres, all of which look to have plenty of tread left on them.

Flaws include an area of rust under the nearside headlamp and some cracks to the paintwork on the base of the nearside C-pillar.

Again, the colour of the leather interior is a real treat; where most are red or black, the tan hue of this one lends an even greater degree of gravitas to a car that’s not exactly slugging it out with the KFC crowd in the first place.

It’s also beautifully worn being as creased and relaxed as your favourite armchair, and all the better for not having been over restored. Cars like this should be allowed to wear their years with pride, every journey writ large in their patina.

The driver’s seat has been conserved with some paint at some point, and we can see the new owner will probably want to get their trimmer to re-stuff it with fresh horsehair and new springs to firm it up a little – all the while retaining the existing leather cover, obviously.

The rear seat is even better. Plump and firm, the leather cover is in a good condition and we don’t think it needs anything other than continued cleaning and feeding.

The door cards are pretty good too, as are the wooden door cappings.

The headlining is taut and clean and the dashboard is exactly what you’d expect to see; rows of toggle switches and instruments set in a real wood dashboard. It’s a lovely place to be, blending sportiness and luxury in the way only Jaguar does.

Lovely touches abound like the genuine Lucas rear-view mirror, the delicate Daimler steering wheel, and the Britax AUTO-LOCK front seatbelts.

The boot, which is home to the spare wheel and tool kit, is clean. Lifting the simple floor mat shows nothing other than a solid metal floor, which is reassuring.

Some of the trim, like that on the rear of the driver’s seat, could do with some minor repairs but this is very much a case of tidying it up rather than anything more in-depth.

The 140bhp/150lb.ft mini-Chrysler Hemi V8 is thought by many to be a smoother and more civilised alternative to the Jaguar straight-six – which is quite the compliment given the 4.2-litre engine isn’t exactly known for its rough running…

The seller tells us that it is a “great little car to drive”, a description we can’t argue with.

The engine bay is workmanlike and nicely presented.

The underside looks solid, although we note the underseal is flaking off in places, so a couple of hours with a wire brush and a tin Waxoyl underseal or similar would be a good investment in order to keep it this strong.

The restoration was lovingly documented by Bob Fisher's Garage in a proper hardback book, a copy of which comes with the car. There are also numerous invoices from this period too, plus some from the time before and after.

The history file also contains the Operating, Maintenance and Servicing Handbook.

The Daimler doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

That said, the last MoT only expired in March of this year and it was gained with no advisories, which must tell you something.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

A Daimler V8-250 is a great place to be if you’ve a hankering for a Jaguar MKII but don’t fancy paying the Leaper Premium because, weirdly, the market simply doesn’t value them as highly, which means you get the creamy smooth pocket-sized Hemi V8 engine at a discount.

How much of a discount? Well, despite the alluring balance of patina and restoration, we think this one will fall under the hammer somewhere between £13,000 and £16,000.

Tempting, isn’t it?

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at the Bonhams|Cars Online 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’.