1988 Daimler Double Six

This car, we think, is a good, solid example of the model. A model, let’s not forget, that was often described as being the ‘best car in the world’ at the time, albeit not usually by German journalists.

This car has the notable distinction of having been in the ownership of just one family since its purchase. This can be a good thing, if only from the point of view of continuity of care. The car was first registered to a private company and was the daily driver of the company’s owner. He then took the car with him when he retired. Ownership then passed to his wife and, finally, to his son.

The current vendor bought the car with confidence after checking it over and knowing that it had been held in dry storage for 12 years.

The car passed its MOT in March 2020 with no advisories.

There is some corrosion underneath a chrome strip just behind the rear offside door and a small patch of bubbling on the paintwork elsewhere on the same door. There are also two areas of bubbling either side of the front bumper behind the bonnet grille.

The tyres are relatively new and in good condition, including the spare. Some of the lacquer is flaking from the alloy wheels, but this should be relatively easy and inexpensive to remedy.

These faults aside, the ‘Silver Birch’ paintwork looks good and is a strong colour combination with the burgundy interior. The chrome work is largely devoid of any bumps and has held up well over the years.

The shut lines are tight and even and the panels, with the exception of a shallow crease to the bodywork on top of the offside front wing, seem broadly untroubled by irregularities, bumps, lumps or other aberrations.

We noted with quiet pleasure the seemingly ubiquitous (on cars of a certain age and class) and always reassuring National Trust membership sticker on the rear widow.

If you like burgundy (‘Mulberry’), you’re in for a treat. It’s burgundy as far as the eye can see, from the thick carpets (which are in very good nick) to the leather upholstery, which has lasted extremely well but does have one or two very minor signs of age, such as a small split in the piping on the driver’s seat.

The burnished wood veneers are glossy and rich, the headlining is in fine fettle and the sunroof works as it should.

The trip computer, as is often the case, gave up any pretence of working some time ago. Which seems only right and proper for a truly incongruous bit of modern kit on an otherwise timeless, old world fascia. Other things that don’t currently work are one electric wing mirror, one electric rear window, and the air conditioning, which may, of course, simply need re-gassing. The centre console boasts a big fat Motorola brick of a phone, which will present you with the dilemma of either keeping it as a period piece or finding something else with which to fill the hole. Perhaps a brick?

The (very full - it’s a V12) engine bay seems relatively tidy. The undersides appear rot-free and in decent condition, as does the twin exhaust system.

There are mud flaps front and rear.

The engine pulls strongly through the auto box and it drives and handles well.

Good, trustworthy examples of this model are increasingly hard to find. Although there are some gaps in this car’s service history due to storage, we’re confident that these aren’t concealing some unspeakable horrors or dark secrets and that the mechanical and structural integrity are in keeping with the generally impressive cosmetic condition of the vehicle. Obviously we encourage viewings if you are interested.

The car’s service handbook shows full and regular servicing at Caffyns Jaguar dealership (where the car was bought) from new until 13/11/97, when the car’s mileage was 78,013. Its mileage today is 80,857. So, it’s clocked up just 2,844 miles in the last 22 or so years.

The documentation and bits and bobs that accompany this car are remarkable for being so numerous, comprehensive and complete. Some of these things don’t normally survive much longer than the initial trip home from the showroom, but here they are, preserved like exhibits at a museum of 20th century motoring.

Production Record Trace Certificate (number 64658) Dated 13/05/2019.

Sales literature and correspondence between the first buyer and Caffyns Plc, the supplying dealer. The car still shows Caffyns dealership stickers and plates.

Original bill of sale.

Copy of original registration document and subsequent registration documents.

Mot certificates from 1991 - 2007.

Service and repair invoices throughout the years.

Motorola car phone owners manual

Old tax discs

Caffyns key ring

Daimler roadside assistance card.

Original service book stamped 12 times by Caffyns

Original service book pack.

Complete Jaguar tool kit in plastic case.

Touch up paints.

Spare keys.

Even though this car was manufactured in 1998, its evolution from the Series I and II Jaguars makes it more redolent of the 1970s. It evokes a different time, a different era, a different ethos. A time when Miss World was acceptable, company Directors mainly played golf, workers tugged their forelocks and knew their place, and cars like this were driven by men like Reggie Perrin’s boss, ‘CJ’.

It seems to us that this is a good and honest example of a grand and classy motor from that long gone age.

It has spent most of its life in the stewardship of one family. It has then been dry-stored for a length of time, inspected, checked over, MOT’d and given a new chance at life on the open road. That’s how it came to us and how you now see it.

Hence, the vendor has the confidence to offer this car for auction with no reserve. We estimate the car will sell for £6,000 to £11,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; 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’.