Attn Daimler Vanden Plas owners / fans 1972-1983 !
Discussion
My uncle used to run these. He had a Double Six VDP as a retirement present. It was a truly lovely car. He kept it for years till his knees couldn't cope any longer and he was forced to change to an old man's car (BMW540). Unfortunately we hadn't talked cars for together for years and so he didn't know he'd infected me with the Jaguar bug, and he sold it without offering me the chance to buy it, it only had about 24K on the clock if I remember. I've got some of the paperwork for the car somewhere, but nothing with the reg on, so I can't try and find out if she is still out there somewhere. A couple of months later I bought my first Jag and ended up getting from dealer round the corner from him.
They rust on the arches badly.
They rust round the rear and front screens.
Rear discs are inboard and a pain to change.
The umbrella handbrake is practically useless.
Some relatively simple jobs require stripping large parts of the car down.
A lovely wafty barge to drive though. Jaguar still use the VDP name in the USA.
They rust round the rear and front screens.
Rear discs are inboard and a pain to change.
The umbrella handbrake is practically useless.
Some relatively simple jobs require stripping large parts of the car down.
A lovely wafty barge to drive though. Jaguar still use the VDP name in the USA.
thanks , any pics would be fab , I caught the bug way back in 1979 , when my father bought a 1976 'R' reg VDP 4.2 in sage green metallic ( actually looks metallic black ) with olive hide . I upgraded the wheels to chrome pressed and papmered it with a detail valet every week , would love to buy it back , doubt if its in 1 piece though it was soo rusty ,reg was OJJ 413R
cheers
cheers
plasticpig said:
Rear discs are inboard and a pain to change.
The umbrella handbrake is practically useless.
Usually the handbrake is largely useless due to badly corroded discs that have been ignored for years. Get one that's had the brakes done properly (and used more than once a year for the MOT) and it is not too bad.The umbrella handbrake is practically useless.
Check radius arm mounts at the back, and the radiator crossmember. They usually give a good indication of the true state of the car. Make sure if you go to look at one you get to see it start from cold as the Automatic Enrichment Device can be a pain. Driving one you shouldn't be hearing any knocks or rattles... they are a very quiet car.
Regards
Ric
As my profile shows, I loved my 4.2 series 111, however.. if the heater matrix needs changing, OUT come front seats, centre console, and dash, its like a mini Arga and literally buried away in there!
Yep, rubbers harden and brittle, so rot sets in under the bonded screens.
The injected 4.2 XK motor has such large inlet valves they are in close proximity to the exhaust valves and can touch them..! These motors like CLEAN quality 20/50 oil, 40 + psi pressure is what you want to see.
Once upon a time cheapskate owners used insufficient corrosion inhibitor in the coolant, a sure rout to disaster.
Now for the positives.. RIDE, HANDLING, POKEY STEP OFF, SERENE 100 MPH CRUISING, STYLE..and that BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR!
Paul/runt
Yep, rubbers harden and brittle, so rot sets in under the bonded screens.
The injected 4.2 XK motor has such large inlet valves they are in close proximity to the exhaust valves and can touch them..! These motors like CLEAN quality 20/50 oil, 40 + psi pressure is what you want to see.
Once upon a time cheapskate owners used insufficient corrosion inhibitor in the coolant, a sure rout to disaster.
Now for the positives.. RIDE, HANDLING, POKEY STEP OFF, SERENE 100 MPH CRUISING, STYLE..and that BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR!
Paul/runt
runt said:
As my profile shows, I loved my 4.2 series 111, however.. if the heater matrix needs changing, OUT come front seats, centre console, and dash, its like a mini Arga and literally buried away in there!
Paul/runt
Can't you get it out through the glove box? I'm sure I've seen just the matrix (not the whole heater unit) replaced that way.Paul/runt
I have a 1973 Series one XJ12 which I have known from new. Its only done 43k miles and has been garaged all its life. I can get around to posting if you like, but its already on XKEDATA.COM. follow the link at the righthand side to saloons and mine is one of only a few RHD cars in Regency red.
richw_82 said:
runt said:
As my profile shows, I loved my 4.2 series 111, however.. if the heater matrix needs changing, OUT come front seats, centre console, and dash, its like a mini Arga and literally buried away in there!
Paul/runt
Can't you get it out through the glove box? I'm sure I've seen just the matrix (not the whole heater unit) replaced that way.Paul/runt
The original bodyshell on mine was so bad around the screens when eight years old that I bought a new shell from Jaguar at half price (£2k) and had everything changed over (that would be 200 hours labour at a main agents..) but after a couple of years the rear screen rubbers hardened and there was a tiny bubble in the beautiful two pack metallic Regency paint..!
On the road,it was inspiring to feel the pick up under kickdown when one considers the nearly two tons of car,I usually eased off at 4500 revs and into top on the 3.07 axle ratio, 100 mph was an easy cruise and as quiet as a monastery.
My 1971 Sovereign and 2001 BMW 530i were the only other saloons that could approach it; these cars are SO charismatic!
Paul
Edited by runt on Tuesday 27th October 15:03
runt said:
The original bodyshell on mine was so bad around the screens when eight years old that I bought a new shell from Jaguar at half price (£2k) and had everything changed over (that would be 200 hours labour at a main agents..)
I've been a year without a Series 3 after letting my last one go due to terminal body rot... I wish they were making brand new shells for them still, If they had been I would still have the car. I've got a Series 1 now, so I'm happy for now!As regards the heater, I think it was mentioned that the pipes have to be cut and rejoined. I was lucky, mine always had a brilliant heater on it. I have to replace the matrix soon on my Series 1 and I'm not looking forward to it, as it is way different to a Series 3...
Regards,
Ric
I think the fact the screens (on Series 111) are bonded and stress bearing as such may result in extra stressing of the surrounds..?
Interesting that your heater was good, I just assumed the design wasn't that capable.
My Series One (different screens) had no rot and actually that short wheelbase shell with Daimler grille is the prettiest XJ to my eyes,also the dash with all the instruments strung across looks inspiring if not ergonomic!
Being only twenty four in '79 when Daimler DLK 761J was mine,my driving style was a tad flamboyant, that car's balance and grip on its 205/70 Dunlop Sports were a MASSIVE advance on the old 420 S Type.
Once a 3.0 Granada flashed me to pull over from the fast lane at 80, soon over 100 was showing on my speedo and he was some way behind..
When the XJ was introduced it was LEAGUES ahead of anything else,in the early '70s rich men were swopping there Silver Shadows for a brand new XJ + cash,anyone getting his first ride in an XJ would be raving about the car for weeks!
Paul
Interesting that your heater was good, I just assumed the design wasn't that capable.
My Series One (different screens) had no rot and actually that short wheelbase shell with Daimler grille is the prettiest XJ to my eyes,also the dash with all the instruments strung across looks inspiring if not ergonomic!
Being only twenty four in '79 when Daimler DLK 761J was mine,my driving style was a tad flamboyant, that car's balance and grip on its 205/70 Dunlop Sports were a MASSIVE advance on the old 420 S Type.
Once a 3.0 Granada flashed me to pull over from the fast lane at 80, soon over 100 was showing on my speedo and he was some way behind..
When the XJ was introduced it was LEAGUES ahead of anything else,in the early '70s rich men were swopping there Silver Shadows for a brand new XJ + cash,anyone getting his first ride in an XJ would be raving about the car for weeks!
Paul
runt said:
I think the fact the screens (on Series 111) are bonded and stress bearing as such may result in extra stressing of the surrounds..?
Interesting that your heater was good, I just assumed the design wasn't that capable.
My Series One (different screens) had no rot and actually that short wheelbase shell with Daimler grille is the prettiest XJ to my eyes,also the dash with all the instruments strung across looks inspiring if not ergonomic!
Being only twenty four in '79 when Daimler DLK 761J was mine,my driving style was a tad flamboyant, that car's balance and grip on its 205/70 Dunlop Sports were a MASSIVE advance on the old 420 S Type.
Once a 3.0 Granada flashed me to pull over from the fast lane at 80, soon over 100 was showing on my speedo and he was some way behind..
When the XJ was introduced it was LEAGUES ahead of anything else,in the early '70s rich men were swopping there Silver Shadows for a brand new XJ + cash,anyone getting his first ride in an XJ would be raving about the car for weeks!
Paul
That sounds a lot like I am now! I'm 27, I bought my first series 3 at 21. I still drive "spiritedly".... My series 1 is a 2.8 short wheelbase with manual/overdrive gearbox, I've just started replacing the black rim gauges with the chrome rim variants, and I have a 4.2 engine being built for when the 2.8 expires. I don't doubt it will, as it will be worked hard up here in the Derbyshire hills!Interesting that your heater was good, I just assumed the design wasn't that capable.
My Series One (different screens) had no rot and actually that short wheelbase shell with Daimler grille is the prettiest XJ to my eyes,also the dash with all the instruments strung across looks inspiring if not ergonomic!
Being only twenty four in '79 when Daimler DLK 761J was mine,my driving style was a tad flamboyant, that car's balance and grip on its 205/70 Dunlop Sports were a MASSIVE advance on the old 420 S Type.
Once a 3.0 Granada flashed me to pull over from the fast lane at 80, soon over 100 was showing on my speedo and he was some way behind..
When the XJ was introduced it was LEAGUES ahead of anything else,in the early '70s rich men were swopping there Silver Shadows for a brand new XJ + cash,anyone getting his first ride in an XJ would be raving about the car for weeks!
Paul
I love the layout of the dash, it looks so much better than the later cars, the only problem is finding the correct switch quickly, in the dark. Trying to get to the dip switch can be interesting, with it hiding nearly behind the clutch pedal!
Which is the prettiest? Certainly the series 1 is the purest, but my favourite is the series 2 long wheelbase. It just seems to have the correct balance in my eyes. I just wish they had left the interior as per the series 1.
Regards,
Ric
Yep, I've slowed up a bit nowadays; a dog on the pavement overtook me the other day..
(I was in the Mondeo).
4.2 my fave XK motor as its got such strong midrange, though they were limited to 5000 ish revs as I recall.
Certainly the Series 111 higher roof line didn't improve aesthetics, but more headroom was required.. for some mouthwatering XJ cars, check out www.roberthughes.co.uk
Paul
(I was in the Mondeo).
4.2 my fave XK motor as its got such strong midrange, though they were limited to 5000 ish revs as I recall.
Certainly the Series 111 higher roof line didn't improve aesthetics, but more headroom was required.. for some mouthwatering XJ cars, check out www.roberthughes.co.uk
Paul
There's rather a nice Daimler double six S3 for sale on E-Bay at the moment (not a VDP).
I haven't driven one of these for a few years but I've always liked them and this thread has got me going.
Also I've just sold a couple of classic bikes and the money is burning a hole .... Off to see a Daimler double six coupe tomorrow but fear it may be too expensive.
I haven't driven one of these for a few years but I've always liked them and this thread has got me going.
Also I've just sold a couple of classic bikes and the money is burning a hole .... Off to see a Daimler double six coupe tomorrow but fear it may be too expensive.
Edited by mph on Friday 30th October 22:59
runt said:
Michael, Xmas is coming, always a great time for buyers, difficult for those trying to shift stock. Interesting stable btw!
Paul
Thanks for that, I've just updated my profile as the stable was out of date.Paul
I viewed the coupe on saturday and it is absolutely fantastic. A previous multiple concours winner and still in better than new condition.
Unfortunately, apart from the price I'm also not sure I would dare use it as for fear of devaluing it. Going back to have another look in the week.
I've got a series 2 VDP brochure in the attic,thats about as close to owning one as I'm likely to get.
Heres a link to someone whos been selling Jags&Daimlers for years I can't actually remeber the last VDP to appear here.
http://www.roberthughes.co.uk/index.htm
Incidently I think the 6cylinder VDP's are much rarer.
Heres a link to someone whos been selling Jags&Daimlers for years I can't actually remeber the last VDP to appear here.
http://www.roberthughes.co.uk/index.htm
Incidently I think the 6cylinder VDP's are much rarer.
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