1966 Daimler 2.5 V8 Saloon

Overshadowed for too long by its Jaguar stable-mates, the Daimler 2.5 V8 is regarded by many pundits as being the best value of all the Mark II derivatives. When Jaguar took over Daimler in 1960, Edward Turner's superbly refined and remarkably lightweight 2.5-litre V8 engine (as found in the unloved SP250 sports) was too good to ignore and William Lyons ensured it found its way into the compact Mark II to create a car with an entirely different character. Thanks to the lighter weight of the all-alloy V8 when compared to the XK unit, and the fact that most 2.5 V8 Daimlers came with Borg Warner's lovely T35 automatic 'box, the new model handled beautifully, had a nicely composed ride whilst offering plenty of relaxed performance. Inside, the Daimler had a more upmarket, coachbuilt feel with a Walnut veneer dash complete with full instrumentation, a split bench front seat, leather upholstery and West of England headlining. The Daimler 2.5 proved immediately popular and nearly 18,000 were made before production ceased in 1969, in the process becoming the most successful car to wear to famous fluted radiator. With all the attention focused on the Jaguar Mark II in recent years, the Daimler 2.5 V8 has been a comparative bargain and those in the know will continue to seek out good examples like the car on offer here.