Lot Ended
Description
Owned from new by F1 driver John Campbell-Jones and has remained in
the family ever since; lightly restored in 2005 including full repaint, new fuel
tanks and stainless steel exhaust; for recommissioning following 16 years
in storage
To those in
the know, the 420 is perhaps the ultimate classic Jaguar saloon. Bigger and more
luxurious than the MkII that it replaced, it also had superior ride and handling
thanks to its independent rear suspension.
The
front-end styling was like a scaled down MkX and the 4.2-litre engine was
virtually to E-Type spec, producing 245bhp and 283lb/ft of torque with a top
speed of 125mph and a 0-60 time just under 10 seconds. Further refinements
included optional power steering, dual circuit brakes, alternator electrics and
a limited-slip differential.
Priced at £2,064
including tax, it was less than half the price of a Bristol 410 Saloon and less
than one-third the price of a contemporary T-Series Bentley but was easily the
equal of both these cars. Only in production from 1966 to 1968, just 10,236
Jaguar 420s were made, along with 5,824 Daimler versions, so it is a
comparatively rare model.
This Daimler
Sovereign 420 Automatic was bought new by F1 driver John Campbell-Jones in
May 1968 and has remained in the family ever since, the V5C recording two
keepers. Apart from an undated Leycare invoice for a full service when the car
had covered 4,767 miles, there is sadly no real service history but we
are told that the car was always well looked after and the indicated
mileage of 96,848 is correct. (Since this was written, we have now received some
maintenace records including at Charles Follett Ltd for its 1,000 mile service
and a further one by Daimler Co Ltd at 4,907 miles)
In 2005 the Daimler was moved from the family home in London to a
second home in Herefordshire where it was sympathetically restored by Ridgeview
Motors of Kington. This included localised bodywork repairs and a full repaint;
two new fuel tanks; new stainless steel exhaust system; new headlamps and a full
service (invoice on file). It was then MOT’d and in use during 2006/07 before
being put back into storage where it has remained ever
since.
As you can see in the photos, it looks
very sound and presentable with a nicely mellowed interior that should clean up
well, the only damage we noted being a tear to one panel on the passenger seat
squab. No attempt has been made to start the car, but the engine still turns and
the car rolls easily. Being a Daimler version, it also benefits from Marles
Varamatic power steering. A b/w photo of John Campbell-Jones in action is also
included.
On offer here as a
straightforward recommissioning project at a very modest guide price, this rare
Daimler Sovereign, with its interesting F1 provenance and single-family
ownership, shouldn’t take too much work to get it back on the road where it
belongs.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email
james.dennison@brightwells.com