Genuinely Unique? 1975 Daimler Sovereign LWB
Claiming unique status for any classic car is bold, but it seems plausible with this 1975 Daimler Sovereign LWB. While the company produced these cars in reasonable numbers, the seller believes this could be the only one in North America. Although it is hardly definitive, this is the only example we’ve seen at Barn Finds in over a decade. This Sovereign presents beautifully, and the only thing it needs is a new home. The seller listed it here on eBay in Lakeland, Florida. Four bids have pushed the price to $6,600, although that is shy of the reserve.
The Daimler Sovereign represents obvious badge engineering, with its appearance leaving no doubt it was based on the Jaguar XJ6. The difference between the two models was limited to some badges, trim pieces, and minor interior variations. Otherwise, this is a Jaguar that cost its original owner a premium price. It presents beautifully in Old English White. It shows all the hallmarks of a classic that led a sheltered existence. I can’t spot any scratches or chips worth mentioning. The panels are straight, with no signs of dings, dents, or rust. The trim looks excellent, as does the tinted glass. Buyers could still order a Sovereign in short wheelbase (SWB) form in 1975, although this car’s original owner selected the LWD version. The larger car added 4″ to the wheelbase, with the extra length providing additional rear passenger legroom. For the 1976 model year, the company discontinued the SWB version.
Interiors of British classics of this type are defined by evidence of the tree and cows that have given their lives in the pursuit of owner comfort. The seats in this Daimler are upholstered in sumptuous Red leather, with the dash featuring acres of genuine timber veneer. Apart from some small badges, the most noticeable difference between the interior of an XJ6 and a Sovereign is that the latter doesn’t feature timber door caps. Otherwise, there is little to separate them. This car’s interior looks flawless. There is no evidence of neglect or abuse and no deterioration of the timber veneer. Although it would be considered conservative by modern standards, the inclusion of air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a tilt wheel, and a premium Blaupunkt stereo reinforce this car’s luxury leanings.
While there is little to separate a Daimler and a Jaguar cosmetically, the drivetrains of the pair are identical. The only difference is the unique valve covers the company fitted to Daimler models. Based on the XJ6, this car’s engine bay features the beautiful 4.2-liter DOHC six-cylinder powerplant, which sends 170hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. Considering the target demographic, the inclusion of power assistance for the steering and brakes is unsurprising. The Sovereign tips the scales at 3,946lbs, and with only modest engine power, its ¼-mile ET of 18.6 seconds is all we might expect. However, these classics come into their own when they hit the open road. The Sovereign should waft along effortlessly, cruising at 70mph with little effort while cocooning its occupants in an eerie quiet. The seller indicates that this Daimler is original and is in excellent mechanical health. It runs and drives perfectly, ready to transport its new owner in the lap of luxury.
I’ve always been a fan of luxury British classics, and this 1975 Daimler Sovereign LWB brings exclusivity into the mix. Its presentation is hard to criticize, and it appears to need nothing. Placing a value on a vehicle of this type is challenging, especially considering its rarity in North America. However, some detective work uncovered this car on another site for $36,500. We can speculate about whether that is where the seller set their reserve or whether they may have nominated a lower figure to promote a faster sale. Bidding has been subdued, suggesting it may struggle to reach that figure. However, as the end draws near, I wouldn’t rule out a bidding frenzy. Stranger things have happened in the classic world.
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Comments
A rhd will not fetch this price in right side driven countries,
maybe except in left side driven like Australia, or the UK.
Daimler had the nimbus they still built a larger and exclusive,
left side driven countries only, limousine like a RR
Phantom. The upscale from a Jaguar to a Daimler are
the different veneer different chrome parts and other interiors.
Their difference could not be anymore as the cynical
saying from Vickers cars owners:
Who has no more money buys a Rolls Royce and who
needs no more money drives a Bentley.
With the emphasis on buy and drive.
It looks like a well restored example here but for the
majority the steering wheel sits on the wrong side. Similar
cars in Europe fetch about 12-15 grand except the elegant
coupe because the SIII enjoys the better reputation.
i purchased a used XJ6L with 25k miles. the next 60k miles were a dream, the last 10k were a nightmare with starting and engine issues. the local Jaguar dealer required an appointment in two to three weeks and a local mechanic would look at the engine and not know where to start. when it was good, it was really good. handled beautifully with plenty of power and plenty of comfort. i get envious whenever i see one come up for sale or auction.
It’s hard work to try to sell a $10k car for $35k. Usually people with too much money are too good at not giving it randomly away.
While in very nice condition it’s still a 1970’s British car that will regularly leave you stranded after assorted parts break down when you least want them to. I have admittedly never owned a Jag, but I have owned Jensens, Rovers, Triumphs and a lot of the more plebeian Austin, Morris, Vauxhall etc. Back in the mid 80’s I penned a column that got printed in Sweden’s largest car magazine about the joys of driving British cars. You see, with a British car you always feel such a surprise and unbridled joy every time you made a trip and made it to the destination! That’s not a joy you get to experience in boring cars where such an achievement has become totally expected.
Definitely looks a Jag to me, no matter the name plate lol.
I also like a car to be dependable… like my 96 Honda hatchback… and my 2020 Outback… at my age, I could care less about having a good looking car sitting in the driveway but not going anywhere.
Jaguar later marketed the Daimler Sovereign as a Jaguar Sovereign for the US market – same exact spec except for badging. The Daimler doesn’t really have a premium over the equivalent Jag in RHD markets, but the seller here is attempting to leverage “the only one in North America”. I knew another one in Massachusetts about 20 years ago. As a Daimler owner, the value is kept down simply by no demand in the US for a relatively unknown marque. The value of this car will be the top bid.
As a Brit, there’s nothing special about this. Hard to know why anyone wanted to pay more for a Daimler-badged Jag in the 70s, though the marque was popular with the limo/chauffered drive mkt.
Many were wrecked in destruction derbies. If few survive, it doesn’t really make this car any more interesting or valuable.
Daimlers were not sold in the US, so this one must have been imported, and I am surprised by the lack of side marker lights on an import. My 86 Daimler double Six imported from Belgium in 1991 and my 85 Jaguar Sovereign imported from Germany by it’s original purchaser in 1986 both received identical Mercedes side marker lights in the import process. Perhaps the requirements were different at the time this one came in.
Very nice condition and beautiful car, (although I am partial to the series III body style), but $35K would be a reach.
https://www.premierauctiongroup.com/vehicles/7203/1975-daimler-sovereign-4-2l-lwb
The RHD would be welcome in the Bahamas or the U.S. or British Islands of the Caribbean. Most cars there naturally come from the U.S. Roundabouts and complex intersections require concentration, no time for any less.
I had a ‘74 and a ‘73 (parts car) here in North Texas. Circumstances got in the way and I never got the Daimler on the road. I will say that the trim on the Daimlers is far better than the same year Jaguars. My best friend had a ‘74 XJL and he stored my Daimlers, so the comparisons were easy enough to make.
One can find a decent XJC for less than this seller seems to want for his Daimler Sovereign. I would go for the XJC without hesitation.
Looks nice but photos today can be very in-accurate. The shape of the car is, of course by the sight from these photos, hard to tell. Soon almost 50 years old! Electric cables, rust, does everything works? Would love to see the car and maybe leave an offer. Guess my price tag will be somewhere around 5 000-6 000 GRP. If it runs properly and everything works …
As the Daimler was supposed to be more luxurious than the XJ it’s a shame they didn’t get the wood door cappings, you could get a nice Double Six for far less than this Sov’. Jaguar also took the Sovereign name later in UK.
Very nice, a real classic car.
This car has a bit of an interesting history both in Europe and the US.
It was apparently ordered new by a senior WHO official in Geneva in 1975 and then brought to the US in 1980 when he retired.
It was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in Illinois in 2015 for $9625 prior to when the owner passed away in 2017. Link to that auction result here:
https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/af15/auburn-fall/lots/r0308-1975-daimler-sovereign-42/567085
It was then sold at a local auction in Punta Gorda, Florida in late 2022 for $13,500 to the current dealer. Link to that auction result here:
https://www.premierauctiongroup.com/vehicles/7203/1975-daimler-sovereign-4-2l-lwb
The dealer now lists the car for a whopping $36,500 on Hemmings. Link here:
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/daimler/sovereign/2644173.html
And now lists it on eBay with an unknown reserve, with bidding around $15,500 a few hours before auction end.
The $36k+ pricing is a real stretch of the imagination, but the current price seems fair – if the dealer decides to sell it and make a few grand!…