It took the design team at Jaguar seven years to come up with a replacement for the magnificent Daimler DR450 limousine. However, when it came, the result was worth it.
The imposing Daimler DS420 Limousine was released in 1968 and remained in production for no less than 24 years.
To keep in line with Daimler’s long and well-earned reputation for producing quality cars for people of quality, there were also a few landaulette versions of the DS420 produced during the close to quarter century that the model was in production.
Starting from the basis of a lengthened Jaguar 420G platform, underframe and inner panels, along with all that car's chassis and running gear, Jaguar and Daimler devised a massive but graceful limousine.
Accordingly, this was the first-ever monocoque Daimler-badged limousine.
Associate company Vanden Plas trimmed, painted and put the finishing touches to the cars in their North London premises.
S
uch co-operation would not have been possible if Jaguar had not joined with BMC, who already owned Vanden Plas, in 1966.
All the Daimler DS 420 produced used Jaguar's celebrated 4.2-litre XK twin-cam engine, while automatic transmission, power-assisted steering, four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes were all standard.
Most cars were fitted with air conditioning,originally an optional extra that went on to a standard fitment in later years.
Complete with its noble Daimler-style front grille, the new limousine was colossal by any standards — at 227in long, it often weighed up to 2000 kilos by the time auxiliary equipment had been added.
The luxury limousine continued where the DS450 had left off, offering a low profile but highly comfortable ride to those who preferred value for money over status symbols.
