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Car Of The Day: September 23, 2009; Oxford '68 Daimler DS420
Topic Started: Sep 23 2009, 03:55 AM (564 Views)
Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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Today's car of the day is Oxford's 1968 Daimler DS420.

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Wikipedia
 
The Daimler DS420, popularly known as the Daimler Limousine, is a large limousine produced by Daimler Motor Company between 1968 and 1992. The vehicles are used extensively as official state cars in several countries, including by the British and Danish Royal Families. The car is also commonly used in the funeral and hotel trades.


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For more information and pictures of the real car please visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimler_DS420

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I believe this is the first Oxford to be featured as Car Of The Day, and what a winner! These are smaller than 1/64 (and even smaller than the 1/72 Real-X and Hongwell models we've run previously) at 1/76 scale (a popular model railroading scale in Great Britain), but when shrinking a car the size of a limousine down to small scale, this fits in nicely with most 1/64 cars (and as a reminder, the Matchbox '63 Cadillac hearse is 1/81!). This one comes courtesy a trade with james_autos. Thanks James!

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Wikipedia
 
The Limousine was based on the floorpan of Jaguar's 420G flagship, but with a wheelbase extended an extra 21 in (533.4 mm). The frontal styling was similar to the original Daimler Sovereign, with the Jaguar four-headlight treatment first seen on the Mark X mated to a Daimler radiator grill bearing the traditional fluting. Jaguar Mark X underpinnings were also apparent from the twin ten gallon fuel tanks set in each of the rear wings, each with it own electric SU pump selected by a dashboard mounted switch.

The driver sat on a full width bench seat in a relatively upright position which was said to make length-wise adjustment for different sizes of driver unnecessary, although there was 2.75 in (7 cm) of telescopic adjustment available on the low-set steering wheel.

The passengers sat on a bench-seat behind the glass division in opulent comfort - the DS420's rear seat spanning over 6 feet (1.8 m) in width. The dimensions of the vehicle are the same as those of the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI with which the limousine was designed to compete, although the Daimler significantly undercut the Rolls-Royce on price.

The top speed available from this 245 bhp (183 kW), three speed automatic, independently suspended, four wheel disc braked Daimler limousine was 110 mph (176 km/h). Undercutting the Phantom VI in price by 50% or more, the big Daimler was considered to be a fine vehicle for the cost with its Le Mans winning Jaguar engine, the last car to use it, and bespoke construction.

Originally the cars were built at the Kingsbury works from bodyshells made by Park Sheet Metals Company assembling panels supplied by Motor Panels of Coventry and by Pressed Steel Fisher. Production moved to Jaguar in Coventry in 1979, where it continued until 1992. The move to Coventry also brought the third and most extensive facelift in the car's life, when larger bumpers and a revised rear number-plate surround were fitted. The previous facelift, in 1974, modernized the window arrangement for the rear passengers, addressed the corrosion issue of earlier cars, slightly changed the dimensions of the grill and badge placement on the exterior, and lessened the amount of woodwork in the interior.

As well as the complete limousine, the factory also supplied part-bodies to external coachbuilders to allow them to construct hearses.

Delivered vehicles varied from very basic models with wind up windows to a mobile boardroom, that was reported to have been designed for use by Jaguar Boss Sir John Egan in 1984, complete with TV, computer, printer and Cocktail Cabinet. The DS420 was a much bespoke vehicle, with an extensive list of options. Individual owners tended to fully option their cars. The service industry, including the funeral trade and limousine companies, tended to lightly option their cars. Until the early 1980s, after their purchase by Avis, Daimler Hire was one of the largest clients. Daimler Hire cars were offered as limousine transportation, as well as for state and official use. As such, most Daimler Hire cars are well optioned, including electric division window, air conditioning, matching leather interiors, and the official use hood flag mount.

Always hand-made, the DS420 had a fascia very similar to some contemporary (in 1968) Jaguars, particularly the Mark X and 420G, remaining faithful for many years to the old fashioned steering column and to the pencil-thin steering wheel. Two cars have been built in landaulette bodywork by the factory (and apparently none survived), but many have been converted to laundaulettes for the wedding car industry (some more successfully than others).

By 1992 the DS420 was the only model in the Jaguar range still using the XK engine, along with other parts of the drive train and suspension, and although the car still appealed to its traditional customers, production was no longer economic. No direct replacement was produced by Jaguar, although coachbuilders have adapted the Daimler version of the XJ6.


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james_autos
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Minivan
Wow! The pics look great, and I didn't think we'd be seeing it as COTD so quickly!

It is true though, even at 1:76 it just about fits in with some 1:64 cars. The real cars were huge.
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diecastdingo
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Minivan
Ach Oy - these Oxfords are soooo tempting - and yet I am trying to stay away from 1/72 and on 1/64. But I just might break down one day...
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bangerkid45
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Ultimate American Banger Enthusiast!
:o , This is one of my favorite oxford diecast models, I have yet to get one though :(
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
Whoa, talk about a real LAND yacht! There should be a lifeboat or shuttlepod attached to the roof!!
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Sak
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Ezekiel 25:17
Nice day for a...white wedding...
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
Sak
Sep 27 2009, 06:15 PM
Nice day for a...white wedding...
Billy Idol! ;)
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harlans toys
matchbox
nice model.
im trying to get a 1/43 hearse version.
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harlans toys
matchbox
harlans toys
Sep 28 2009, 08:02 PM
nice model.
im trying to get a 1/43 hearse version.

now bought a hearse version at a bargain of only £9.50
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Sak
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Ezekiel 25:17
These are AWESOME.

Up until the '50s, Daimler was, for all intents and purposes, the official car of the Royal Family. However, by that time, the company just didn't have the capital to compete anymore in its range. They had some interesting ideas that made it into final form, for instance, the SP250 sports (a gargoyle on wheels if there ever was one), but the company was dying by the time Sir William Lyons came knocking at the door, around 1960.

One of the very nice aristocrats of the early motorways was the Daimler Majestic Major, a very handsome car. Wiki it if you will.
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