Vehicle Description
The Daimler DS420 was the preferred automobile for many of the
world's government officials and diplomats. Built by the Daimler
Company Limited between 1968 and 1992, it is more commonly referred
to as the Daimler Limousine, and it had few competitors aside from
the Mercedes-Benz 600. A popular choice amongst chauffeur services
and hotel operators, the DS420 was also the official state car for
many countries. These elegant cars are held in such high esteem,
that many Limousines are still employed by the Royal Houses of
Sweden, Denmark, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom. In 1898, the
Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, was given a ride in a
Coventry-built Daimler. Every British monarch since has used
Daimlers, which have been used to carry the Royal Warrant for many
years. The last of these royal Daimlers were DS420 limousines,
based on the architecture of the Jaguar 420 and with hand-built
bodywork by Vanden Plas, of London. This was the Queen Mother's
favored car of state, and one example went down in history by
leading the funeral procession of Princess Diana. The DS420's
origin dates back to 1960 when Jaguar bought Daimler. Six years
later the British Motor Corporation bought Jaguar. By 1968, they
became part of a larger conglomerate known as the British Leyland.
By this point, the firm was manufacturing two different limousines.
Austin was building the Vanden Plas Princess, and Daimler the
DR450. British Leyland decided that instead of building two
internally competing models, limousine production would be
designated to a single company and the marque selected was Daimler.
Jaguar engineered and produced the mechanical aspects of the DS420
using the engine, transmission and suspension from the Jaguar 420G
and production was carried out at Austin's Vanden Plas factory in
Kingsbury. The D stands for Daimler, S was part of an alphabetical
naming scheme sequence, (previous car being the DR) and 420
referred to the 4.2L Jaguar XK engine that provided the
silky-smooth power desired in a fine limousine. The 420G also
donated its floor pan, though for the Daimler the wheelbase was
elongated by an extra 21 inches. The front features the traditional
Daimler fluted grille with headlights shared with the Jaguar. The
Daimler also utilized twin ten-gallon fuel tanks lifted from the
420G as well. More compact than a Rolls-Royce Phantom of the era in
every aspect, the Daimler DS420 came in at less than half the price
of the Rolls, thanks in large part to the use of off-the-shelf
componentry, keeping costs in check without sacrificing quality.
Finished in a handsome and very regal Jet Black, this DS420's
elegant handmade body shell wraps around an interior that can only
be described as sumptuous. According to the certificate acquired
from the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, this car was delivered new
to Wilcox & Company Limousines, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire,
and was originally fitted with a grey interior. In 2001, it was
acquired by the New Zealand Government, and thoroughly updated by
the respected NZ-based tuning and restoration shop Beacham Jaguar,
where it was extensively converted and updated to the tune of
$205,000. The cabin was retrimmed beautifully with buttery soft New
Zealand biscuit hides, front and rear. The rear compartment is
fitted with two folding jump seats to hold additional passengers as
well as privacy curtains and privacy glass. The compartments are
divided by an electric-powered glass partition and a two-way
intercom is provided to direct the driver. Passengers can enjoy
watching one's favorite entertainment on the rear seat monitor with
television. A period style Nokia integrated phone and Blaupunkt
audio system add to the charm of this elegant car. A jack, tool
roll and JDHT certificate are included with car. At Beacham, it was
re-powered with Jaguar/Daimler's superb 4.0-litre inline six,
paired with a four-speed automatic gearbox with Jaguar's signature
"J-gate" shifter, added ABS brakes (a feature no other DS420 had)
and in recent ownership was fitted with lovely chrome wheels fitted
with wide whitewall tires. Beacham also updated the car with dual
A/C systems It is undersoot that, following its conversion by
Beacham, this DS 420 long wheelbase limousine was used by the New
Zealand Government to shuttle Queen Elizabeth II on her 50th
Anniversary NZ tour in 2002. It was sold by the Department of
Internal Affairs in 2009, and landed 'Stateside in the care of a
devoted DS420 collector, restorer, and enthusiast who has
maintained the car in superb condition, with beautiful paint and
detailing. This splendid limousine is in exceptionally fine
condition and is ready to pamper its next distinguished passengers
in proper British style and elegance. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7541-1989-daimler-ds420-limousine/
