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Topic starter
16/12/2022 11:36 am
The Daimler Company was purchased by Jaguar Cars in 1960, which itself was bought by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) in 1966 and became part of the larger British Leyland conglomerate in 1968.
BMC and Jaguar each had their own limousines before merging operations: the Vanden Plas Princess and the Daimler DR450, respectively.
Rather than build two competing products, they decided to consolidate limousine production to a single model under the Daimler marque. Most of the engineering of the DS420 would be carried out by Jaguar, the new model to share parts such as the engine, gearbox, and suspension with the Jaguar 420G. Production of the DS420 was announced in June 1968,with the cars being built at the Vanden Plas works in Kingsbury, England.
The DS420 was built on the floorpan of Jaguar's 420G flagship model with the Jaguar wheelbase extended 21 inches. By 1992, the DS420 was the only model in the Jaguar range still using the Jaguar XK engine. Most DS420s were built as limousines, often for Royal families but also for government and luxury hotels.
I collect Daimler DS420 as part of my Jaguar collection. This one is one of the less expensive versions done for the partworks James Bond 007 Series.
This one is diecast and was featured in the movie, Casino Royale.
16/12/2022 12:00 pm
Nice model and history lesson. I have a question about the Daimler company. Were they a British company? I had associated that name with Benz, and assumed Daimler was From Germany.
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA
John Kuvakas and David Green reacted
16/12/2022 12:09 pm
Beautiful model, David. My 1/43 collection is overwhelmingly US cars but this Daimler is verrrrrry tempting. Thanks for the background and good pictures.
David H 
David Green reacted
Topic starter
16/12/2022 12:14 pm
Hi Ed,
The Daimler Company Limited, was an independent British motor vehicle manufacturer founded in London in 1896, which set up its manufacturing base in Coventry, England.
The company bought the right to the use of the Daimler name simultaneously from Gottlieb Daimler and Daimler-Motoren- Gesellschaft in Germany but was independent.
In the early days they used Gottlieb Daimler designed engines. Daimler, England was bought by BSA (British Small Arms) in 1910 and finally Jaguar Cars in 1960.
16/12/2022 6:50 pm
Two more DS420s - the Queen Mother's car and a hearse. Both by Oxford. On my one and only trip to Hong Kong in 1989, I'd see these parked in front of the Peninsula Hotel, which, interestingly, was also in a James Bond film (forget which).
17/12/2022 1:54 am
One of these was based at my offices for a period of time when it was being considered to launch them in the USA. But nothing came of that plan. This car was one of only two that were full US spec. No one wanted to drive it except me so I used it from time to time and took it to British car shows where it was always a hit. And of course my Jaguar/Daimler shelf has some DS420 in 43rd.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
Topic starter
17/12/2022 11:10 am
Thanks John, what a great chance to drive this DS420. I am surprised that sales were few in North America. Guess is that Jaguar was not willing to spend the money in order to convert to USA specifications without having significant orders in the bag. Not sure about Canada as I saw quite a few here but Canada usually calls for the same specs as the USA.
John Kuvakas reacted
21/12/2022 5:19 am
I was in London in 1970 and saw a few of these. They seemed to be used by well heeled tourists. Very exotic. I'm a fan and have the Minimarque, the less expensive Oxford model and the even less expensive James Bond Daimler. This fellow keeps a webpage ot all things DS420 and a comprehensive list of scale models. Daimler DS420 Scale model cars (myds420.info)
Karl Schnelle and David Green reacted
21/12/2022 6:11 am
I was in London in 1970 and saw a few of these. They seemed to be used by well heeled tourists. Very exotic. I'm a fan and have the Minimarque, the less expensive Oxford model and the even less expensive James Bond Daimler. This fellow keeps a webpage ot all things DS420 and a comprehensive list of scale models. Daimler DS420 Scale model cars (myds420.info)
Thanks @jaygolan for supplying this link. This chap has an amazing collection of scale model DS420's including white metal models and is well worth viewing.
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
Topic starter
21/12/2022 12:07 pm
Here is another Daimler DS420s in my collection.
This one is part of the Partworks Presidential Cars series by Norev. In this case, Queen Elizabeth II.
Harv sas previously shown the Oxford version.
Harv Goranson and Karl Schnelle reacted
Topic starter
21/12/2022 12:15 pm
Jay Golan referred to the DS420s by Minimarque 43. These are likely the most expensive 1/43 DS420 Daimlers.
Two versions are shown.
Harv Goranson reacted
Topic starter
21/12/2022 12:27 pm
Thanks Jay for the website referral. It answered a few questions about the several limited edition resin DS420s that I have in my collection.
While beautifully packaged and on display mounts, manufacturers names were absent.
