Lot Ended
Description
Ultra-rare Series 1 SWB V12; one of only 524 made and perhaps 10
surviving; few owners; highly original; much recent expenditure; the world's
fastest four-door saloon at launch and still mighty quick today
Just eleven years after
the launch of the E-type, Jaguar stunned the world with another car capable of
nearly 150mph – only this time it was a four-door saloon. Launched in July 1972,
the new XJ12 looked identical to its six-cylinder XJ6 sibling which must have
surprised a few motorway drivers as it hurtled past.
The only 12-cylinder
saloon on the market, it was billed at launch as ‘the fastest full four-seater
in the world today’ while it’s astonishing standards of ride and refinement
humbled even Rolls-Royce. The XJ12 shared its
magnificent engine with the new V12 E-Type and in early carburettor form
developed 253bhp, sufficient to whisk the car to 60mph in just 7.4 seconds on
its way to a top speed of 145mph.
An upmarket Daimler
version was also available, the Double Six, which had slightly different
interior trim, improved sound deadening, a fluted radiator grille and a
distinctive chrome strip along the centre of the bonnet. Only around 3,500
Series 1 V12 saloons of all types were made before it was replaced by the rather
less characterful Series 2. Of these, just 524 were short-wheelbase Daimlers,
built between March 1971 and July 1973, only around 160 of them in RHD and
survivors are exceedingly rare, DVLA figures suggesting there are only 10 still
UK registered today.
This Double Six SWB,
YFM 9L, is the 65th one made (chassis number ZA1065BW) and comes with
a Heritage Certificate confirming that it was built on 15th June 1972, finished
in Regency Red with a Cinnamon hide interior. It was supplied new by Henlys of
Chester to a Mr B Speed of ABS Plumbing Factors, Leigh, on 1st
October 1972. About three years later it was acquired by GW Mitchell of
Manchester who kept it until 1986 when he gifted it to a friend, PC Horton. When
Horton died in 1997, Mitchell took the car back again but kept it
largely unused and in storage for the next 16 years.
Our vendor acquired the
car in 2013 at which point it had covered some 64,000 miles. Treated to a
thorough service, it flew through its MOT in June 2013 with just a few minor
advisories. Although the bodywork was remarkably rust-free due to previous
anti-corrosion treatments, the paintwork was somewhat tired so in October 2013
it was treated to a bare metal repaint by Tony Williams of Malvern which cost
£5,280. Forming part of a collection of classic cars, it was then used only very
lightly before being put into storage for the next five
years.
In 2017 it began to be
used once more but it was soon apparent that all was not well with the cooling
system so it was sent to Jaguar specialists, Grantham Street Motors of
Droitwich. They were instructed to go right through the car to make it suited
for reliable everyday use. This work included: new head gasket; re-cored
radiator; new coolant hoses; cylinder head valves dressed and re-shimmed;
reconditioned steering rack; diff overhaul; full brake system overhaul with new
discs and pads all round, new front calipers and reconditioned master cylinder;
suspension overhaul with new bushes, rear springs and shocks; new fuel pumps;
new headlights; four new Dunlop tyres; full service plus numerous other items,
the bill for this lot being £6,800.
More recently the car
has had a new exhaust system, new headlining, new front door cards, new rear
windscreen rubber and a new rear valance. It has also been fitted with
modernised DAB113HE Opus electronic ignition using a kit supplied by SNG
Barratt.
Waxoil treated during
its life, the car is in remarkably sound and original condition, the only
welding it has needed being to a section of the floor pan under the rear seats.
The exterior brightwork is all original as are the seats and carpets but the
headlining has been replaced. Some spare interior trim materials are stored in
the boot. It also retains its original 8-track stereo and a good selection
of cassettes.
Documentation includes
the original owner’s handbook and Passport to Service book (stamped 8 times to
19,460 miles in 1974); original service chart and dealer guide; original 4-page
A4 sales brochure; original Jaguar V12 engine launch brochure; current V5C plus
copies of two previous V5 registration documents; Heritage Certificate; 13
photos of the car taken in 1994; invoices for all the work recently carried out
and sundry historic invoices.
There are also three
old MOTs issued in 2013, 2017 and 2018 but they all record the same mileage
(64,145) as the odometer stopped working shortly after the vendor acquired the
car. It has covered fewer than 1,000 miles during the current 10-year ownership
so the actual mileage is not far from that indicated. Unused for the last four
years, it has been starting promptly and running well as we have moved it around
on site, with good 55psi oil pressure, but will doubtless benefit from a
precautionary check-over before any long journeys are
undertaken.
Given the attrition
rate among these V12 saloons, YFM 9L must be one of the earliest surviving
examples. With the pedigree and performance of a V12 E-Type but with room for
four, this sporting saloon is now extremely rare and needs an enthusiastic new
custodian who can improve and preserve it for future generations to
enjoy.
For more
information contact James on 07970 309907 or email
james.dennison@brightwells.com