DAIMLER DOUBLE SIX VANDEN PLAS
Discussion
My dad had one of the first XJ6 4.2's in England in January 1969, a pale blue one, probably the first in the Manchester area.
Wherever he parked it, it usually drew a crowd peering the the windows.
People left notes under the wipers offering £400 over list.....(A lot of money back then, as it was only £2200 new)
Wherever he parked it, it usually drew a crowd peering the the windows.
People left notes under the wipers offering £400 over list.....(A lot of money back then, as it was only £2200 new)
Words are merely superfluous when it comes to these beautiful cars but that is an absolute corker. Around this time last year I started looking at Series 1 XJs and Daimlers, there was one V12 for sale at the time which sold before I got the chance to go and see it. I couldn't find a decent S1 within my budget but ended up buying a nice (and very early) SWB Series 2 4.2 manual Jag, which as rare as it is, isn't a patch on that gorgeous VDP.... so much class! I love the deeper front grille and lower bumper with it's echoes of the MkX, 420G and 420, very imposing.
I prefer the S1 interiors too but I'm warming to the different layout in my S2. I've had the car for ten months now and still haven't tried the fuel tank changeover switch, I'm always worried it might cut out on the move during the changeover... does the switch work ok in the VDP..? The only thing in the cabin I don't like is the umbrella handbrake under the dash. I'd like to put a set of VDP floor rugs in it just to add a bit more luxury but they're hard to find!, My car has the same 8-track stereo as yours, but so far I haven't found any tapes to try out in it. As said above the ride is sublime, the best I've ever experienced in any car old or new.... there are dozens of speed bumps round here but it takes them all in its stride, it's almost as if they weren't there at all.
I love my 4.2 but would love a V12 some day.
Edit : just noticed the VDP has a Central London reg' on it, I wonder what it's early history is like... could it have been registered as a company car? Chances are it came from Henlys.
I prefer the S1 interiors too but I'm warming to the different layout in my S2. I've had the car for ten months now and still haven't tried the fuel tank changeover switch, I'm always worried it might cut out on the move during the changeover... does the switch work ok in the VDP..? The only thing in the cabin I don't like is the umbrella handbrake under the dash. I'd like to put a set of VDP floor rugs in it just to add a bit more luxury but they're hard to find!, My car has the same 8-track stereo as yours, but so far I haven't found any tapes to try out in it. As said above the ride is sublime, the best I've ever experienced in any car old or new.... there are dozens of speed bumps round here but it takes them all in its stride, it's almost as if they weren't there at all.
I love my 4.2 but would love a V12 some day.
Edit : just noticed the VDP has a Central London reg' on it, I wonder what it's early history is like... could it have been registered as a company car? Chances are it came from Henlys.
Edited by P5BNij on Monday 28th September 13:04
About 25 years ago I talked my boss into buying an old XJ12 Series 2 as his daily runabout between building sites. S reg, I think in that medium blue colour.
This was when they had hit rock-bottom value-wise.
All the evidence and published advice pointed to it being a massive black hole for his finances, but I was always very generous when helping other people spend their money on interesting cars.
Sure enough it spent more time being repaired than used. It never really ran properly (I think it was fuel-injected: is that right?) and cost him a fortune in fuel. Within a year I think he weighed it in for scrap. Surprisingly, he didn't ask for my advice regarding his next car...
This was when they had hit rock-bottom value-wise.
All the evidence and published advice pointed to it being a massive black hole for his finances, but I was always very generous when helping other people spend their money on interesting cars.
Sure enough it spent more time being repaired than used. It never really ran properly (I think it was fuel-injected: is that right?) and cost him a fortune in fuel. Within a year I think he weighed it in for scrap. Surprisingly, he didn't ask for my advice regarding his next car...
I have owned this one previous owner SWB. XJ12 Series one for about 10 years now. Bought by the Grandad of a very good friend of mine I am honoured to have been entrusted to keep it. It's covered 38,000 miles, always garaged and is frankly outstanding original condition. I love it. I used to sit as a young 13 yr old in the back on trips to Prescott and Shelsey Walsh and was astounded at its get up and go. I am still. They are awesome cars and will be one of the Great UK cars. Jaguar at its best. Love it
vanquish spirit said:
I have owned this one previous owner SWB. XJ12 Series one for about 10 years now. Bought by the Grandad of a very good friend of mine I am honoured to have been entrusted to keep it. It's covered 38,000 miles, always garaged and is frankly outstanding original condition. I love it. I used to sit as a young 13 yr old in the back on trips to Prescott and Shelsey Walsh and was astounded at its get up and go. I am still. They are awesome cars and will be one of the Great UK cars. Jaguar at its best. Love it
You cant write that and not give us pics. Of the car, that is. Not you 
Three Series 2 V12 VDPs for sale here...
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C654393
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C649490
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C541603
And a nice very low mileage Series 1 Daimler six pot...
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C646498
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C654393
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C649490
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C541603
And a nice very low mileage Series 1 Daimler six pot...
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C646498
GoodOlBoy said:
Posting adverts like this is almost a form of entrapment 
Luckily I still much prefer the S1 version of the V12.
I had to stop myself from posting anymore ads, then went down to the garage to indulge in a spot of 'bonding' with my XJ6! I'd love a V12, but whenever I look at engine bay photos of them my mind goes into a slight panic at all that plumbing...Luckily I still much prefer the S1 version of the V12.
Well I had a pleasant surprise in the form of an e mail from the owner. On the run up to Fort William he achieved 18 MPG, and on the run back down 19!!
That is outstanding for a V12 on carbs. But I think this can be explained on 3 fronts. The first is that I always encourage owners of certain classics to do a spark plug upgrade where possible to something like a platinum or iridium plug. This gives a much better spark and more power; but conversely, when cruising better economy.
The car is also running on 99 octane super unleaded. Modern fuels have better additives that help consumption. The 3rd is the car is running on modern Avon tyres. Tyre technology now is light years ahead of what it was in the early '70s, and compounds are designed in such a way that they decrease rolling friction thereby improving economy. So all these things combined with the fact that I rebuilt the carbs so there were no air leaks means an MPG figure that is a damn site easier to live with than 10 or 12!
J
That is outstanding for a V12 on carbs. But I think this can be explained on 3 fronts. The first is that I always encourage owners of certain classics to do a spark plug upgrade where possible to something like a platinum or iridium plug. This gives a much better spark and more power; but conversely, when cruising better economy.
The car is also running on 99 octane super unleaded. Modern fuels have better additives that help consumption. The 3rd is the car is running on modern Avon tyres. Tyre technology now is light years ahead of what it was in the early '70s, and compounds are designed in such a way that they decrease rolling friction thereby improving economy. So all these things combined with the fact that I rebuilt the carbs so there were no air leaks means an MPG figure that is a damn site easier to live with than 10 or 12!
J
I have a Series 2 Vanden Plas 4.2 - it was made in December 1978, so is one of the last SerIes 2's.
I have looked for information on the build numbers of the VDP 4.2's (as opposed to the Double Sixes), but can't seem to find anything - even in Porter's excellent book.
Can anyone shed any light, or point me in the right direction?
Many thanks
James
I have looked for information on the build numbers of the VDP 4.2's (as opposed to the Double Sixes), but can't seem to find anything - even in Porter's excellent book.
Can anyone shed any light, or point me in the right direction?
Many thanks
James
JPW69 said:
I have a Series 2 Vanden Plas 4.2 - it was made in December 1978, so is one of the last SerIes 2's.
I have looked for information on the build numbers of the VDP 4.2's (as opposed to the Double Sixes), but can't seem to find anything - even in Porter's excellent book.
Can anyone shed any light, or point me in the right direction?
Many thanks
James
I've just had a look in Nigel Thorley's 'Original Jaguar XJ' book and here are the VDP 4.2 figures...I have looked for information on the build numbers of the VDP 4.2's (as opposed to the Double Sixes), but can't seem to find anything - even in Porter's excellent book.
Can anyone shed any light, or point me in the right direction?
Many thanks
James
S2 LWB, 14,341 which includes Sovereigns
S3 LWB, 1,953
Thanks P5B, that confirms my research.
However, I'm after the split between Sovereigns and VDP's built
From my recollections of 30 odd years ago, there were many more Sovereigns on the road, but it was very rare to see one with Vanden Plas on its rump - but I've not got anything more scientific than that!
By the way, I too find it to be a magically well riding and supple car, although she finds it a little undignified to be hustled through corners!
However, I'm after the split between Sovereigns and VDP's built
From my recollections of 30 odd years ago, there were many more Sovereigns on the road, but it was very rare to see one with Vanden Plas on its rump - but I've not got anything more scientific than that!
By the way, I too find it to be a magically well riding and supple car, although she finds it a little undignified to be hustled through corners!
A word of warning to those of you thinking about a later car than a Series 1. I have just finished "Saving Jaguar" by John Egan. It's a terrific read, and for people like myself who actually worked on these cars in that era and before, it brings back so many memories of the events of the day; many of these distinctly unpleasant.
As the '70s wore on it became clear that BL was ruining virtually every manufacturer it touched, and especially Jaguar; John makes no bones about this in his book. The last of the Series 2 cars in '79 were the worst cars Jaguar ever produced. I have numerous accounts of utterly dismal build quality and horrendous major engine failures on cars less than a year old. John took over in 1980 and inherited this mess. All credit to him for saving the brand with an inheritance like that.
What I'm saying is, if you want an old XJ stick to the Series 1. Whilst not perfect, it was definitely the best of all the XJs, and has a certain magic about it, a real presence that the later cars just don't have. And as I'm sure we all agree, it has the best looking dash ever!
J
As the '70s wore on it became clear that BL was ruining virtually every manufacturer it touched, and especially Jaguar; John makes no bones about this in his book. The last of the Series 2 cars in '79 were the worst cars Jaguar ever produced. I have numerous accounts of utterly dismal build quality and horrendous major engine failures on cars less than a year old. John took over in 1980 and inherited this mess. All credit to him for saving the brand with an inheritance like that.
What I'm saying is, if you want an old XJ stick to the Series 1. Whilst not perfect, it was definitely the best of all the XJs, and has a certain magic about it, a real presence that the later cars just don't have. And as I'm sure we all agree, it has the best looking dash ever!
J
JPW69 said:
Thanks P5B, that confirms my research.
However, I'm after the split between Sovereigns and VDP's built
From my recollections of 30 odd years ago, there were many more Sovereigns on the road, but it was very rare to see one with Vanden Plas on its rump - but I've not got anything more scientific than that!
By the way, I too find it to be a magically well riding and supple car, although she finds it a little undignified to be hustled through corners!
The split between the VDP and other cars might not be so simple. At one point Jaguar was calling a lot of cars in the US VDP, but over in the UK only those finished off in Kingsbury at the Vanden Plas works. I guess Jaguar don't own the Daimler name in the US.However, I'm after the split between Sovereigns and VDP's built
From my recollections of 30 odd years ago, there were many more Sovereigns on the road, but it was very rare to see one with Vanden Plas on its rump - but I've not got anything more scientific than that!
By the way, I too find it to be a magically well riding and supple car, although she finds it a little undignified to be hustled through corners!
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