What to do with an inherited 1994 Daimler Double Six (V12)
What to do with an inherited 1994 Daimler Double Six (V12)
Author
Discussion

jonrarit

Original Poster:

10 posts

244 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
I've inherited my late father in law's 1994 Daimler Double Six (V12) which I no longer have space for and am looking for suggestions on what to do with it.

This was a £70K car in it's day and with a lottery win I'd love to restore it but it's not going to happen. The car has been sitting for five years but starts and drives perfectly....that's where the good stuff ends. The bodywork is shot and would need a full Car SOS job to fix which just isn't going to happen.

I Don't have the space/time/patience to strip it for parts or donate it's mechanicals to a kit car so the options are

1 - Flog it on ebay for anything it goes for (easiest & quickest)
2 - Pull the engine out for a coffee table for myself (Sacrilege I know but very appealing to a petrolhead) then flog the remainder of the car on ebay
3 - Pull the engine and Offer it to a jag/daimler restorer for parts

Any other suggestions welcome.....

JR

Edited by jonrarit on Thursday 30th January 11:19


Edited by jonrarit on Thursday 30th January 11:20

Smollet

16,352 posts

219 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
Number 1. Someone will buy it to restore hopefully.

DickyC

58,289 posts

227 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
Consider putting it on carandclassic.co.uk.

Unless you've broken a car before, please don't. If someone wants the engine or other bits sufficiently they'll buy the whole car. Let them break it. You have no idea how much room is taken up by a dismantled car.

A classic auction is an alternative.

jonrarit

Original Poster:

10 posts

244 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
Thanks Dicky... I've no plans to break it myself as just don't have the time or space.....but I am tempted to pull the engine and make an arty f@rty coffee table from it.

If it was seized I wouldn't hesitate but the mechanical sympathy in me says it's just not right to pull apart a perfectly functioning V12

Brads67

3,199 posts

127 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
Options one or three.

Huntsman

9,305 posts

279 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
Is it an XJ40 or an X300?

I reckon you might find the XJ40 of limited value, but the X300 could have some value.

Don't under estimate the amount of work, tools and equipment needed to make that block a table. that's a big work up that will make a lot of rubbish and mess.


Riley Blue

23,205 posts

255 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
Option 1.

lukeharding

3,635 posts

118 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
Let someone else save it definitely. The fact its running will help a lot, but it won't be of huge value even so

Flying Phil

1,735 posts

174 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
Option 1.....and buy a bare v12 block from a jaguar breakers!

Mercky

642 posts

164 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
Make a coffee table out of the engine and give the remains to a gypsy. Its bound to take less time than breaking it or selling it on ebay.

lowdrag

13,181 posts

242 months

Friday 31st January 2020
quotequote all
It's sad but the harsh truth is that if the body was sound but the engine in need of work it would sell easily, but if the body has gone than it is only going to be sold by weight I guess. They were such beautiful cars to drive, effortless and silent, but the only thing to do is to put it on the Bay and let it go with no reserve. At least it will clear some space in the garage for something else!

was8v

2,013 posts

224 months

Friday 31st January 2020
quotequote all
Weld in a cage and go banger racing?

DickyC

58,289 posts

227 months

Friday 31st January 2020
quotequote all
was8v said:
Weld in a cage and go banger racing?
The shock to the old girl!

"Er, what's happening? I was sitting there quietly minding my own business and now there is feverish activity. Did I hear you say we're off somewhere later? Banger racing? No, no, I don't believe I'm familiar with the expression."

CanoeSniffer

952 posts

116 months

Friday 31st January 2020
quotequote all
I’d have it off you! For.... restoration hehe


Vintage Racer

630 posts

174 months

Friday 31st January 2020
quotequote all
Maybe 'Extiction Rebellion' might like it, as a pool car! driving

DaveTheRave87

2,155 posts

118 months

Friday 31st January 2020
quotequote all
DickyC said:
was8v said:
Weld in a cage and go banger racing?
The shock to the old girl!

"Er, what's happening? I was sitting there quietly minding my own business and now there is feverish activity. Did I hear you say we're off somewhere later? Banger racing? No, no, I don't believe I'm familiar with the expression."
So much yes here, so there is.

njw1

2,772 posts

140 months

Saturday 1st February 2020
quotequote all
DaveTheRave87 said:
DickyC said:
was8v said:
Weld in a cage and go banger racing?
The shock to the old girl!

"Er, what's happening? I was sitting there quietly minding my own business and now there is feverish activity. Did I hear you say we're off somewhere later? Banger racing? No, no, I don't believe I'm familiar with the expression."
So much yes here, so there is.


Yes!! And then after you've killed it turn the engine into a coffee table and use it to display all the banger racing trophies you're certain to win. smile

Jimmy Recard

17,549 posts

208 months

Saturday 1st February 2020
quotequote all
How bad is the car? Would it take much to get an MOT on it?

That could be critical to which option is best. I definitely think that it is worth selling as a whole. It's not too difficult or expensive to get a Jaguar V12 or just a block and would save breaking a rare car. I would love a Double Six or an XJ12 - even a rough one. Maybe even more than a pristine one

Mr Tidy

31,211 posts

156 months

Saturday 1st February 2020
quotequote all
I was going to say go with Option1.

The CanoeSniffer made his post - you've got to sell it to him!

jonrarit

Original Poster:

10 posts

244 months

Tuesday 4th February 2020
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies folks... banger racing is tempting but I don't think the body would make one lap!!!

I might see what it needs for an MoT though as have a friendly garage nearby.

Until then will sit on it for a while longer...... the old girl isn't exactly going anywhere