Hello all,

As promised earlier from our days of vineyards south of Mildura - our 5.3L V12 EFI Series 2 Daimler VanDen Plas was the last word in luxury. In its era, all were still hand finished throughout - available in any of 3 colours - as here, in Burnished Gold or Platinum, each with black leatherette tonneau cabin roof, or all Black. All were available with sliding or motorized glass partitions, cocktail cabinet and folding tables. Also fitted was individual aircraft style lighting and folding armrests for each rear seat.

Huge dual fuel tanks catered for the prodigious thirst of the purely Jaguar V12 EFI engine. However, the alloy wheels, grille, side moldings rear boot trim, steering wheel and internal trims all reflected the scalloped and fluted Daimler styling cues and marque emblems. A most unusual and very rare car - even more so anywhere outside its home country - let alone being let loose among the convicts! Ha Ha Ha!!!

I hope you enjoy ... we did for many years.
.

 

.
A couple more pics of the V12 EFI Daimler VanDen Plas ... and again, without the wife, Chris, who used the car for her shopping trips to town each week ... and backed that up with occasional (very fast) trips back to the Blue Mountains with the children.

Cheers.

 

Hi Ken, love the VDP. Colour looks great with the black roof. My wife just gets a Mazda 3 to shop and do school run.
Have attached the pics I couldn't send you last time.
Clarke

 

Looks great


Cheers
DD

 

Yep, the Pre HE V12, it surely encouraged a lot of alternative fuel research.

Ours was the Jaguar version, and also the spousies DD for 15 years, and when we decided to "downsize" the fleet, it went to an excellent home in Alice Springs, and is now "her" DD, and nudging 500000kms, and apart from a BW12 that went AWOL when we first got it, is untouched, or molested. Fast, damn, the thing was/is a missile.

Its the White one in my garage.

She luvs her S Type, but misses the shear "stance and oomph" of that mighty V12 something serious, and I reckon another V12 will be her chariot before too long.

 

Thanks chaps, for your feedback;

Grant, Doug, Clarke - all you guys have experienced the smooth, relentless rush of those beautiful V12s - even Grant's sig weeps for their past - but it sounds like that temporary loss may soon change.

I always found it amusing when opening the bonnet of the E-Type, that onlookers would exclaim "Woe! It's a big V12" ... Er, well, no ... That's the wife's car ... the gold Daimler. The E-Type was all adrenalin; wickedly fast, and looked it. But, on our many 1250mile / 2000Km round trips to Sydney, it was the big V12 Daimler that added a defining edge of quiet and comfort with no loss of pace.

Prodigious thirst? Family chuckle was of my wife who had (slowly) filled one huge tank, locked down lid, then moved to opposite side to fill that near-empty tank as well. The wag waiting in car behind yelled out to Chris "Lovely car, lady ... but leave some for us!"

Best wishes,
.

 

Hi Clarke;

I loved those photos. Man, when you said bikes ... you didn't mention they were BIKES!!! There are some choice rides there ... very, very nice. I managed to drag myself away from the XJ ... gee, I love that colour.

After our discussions about vehicle diaries, I do appreciate the pics of yours. I haven't always been so comprehensive, but the exceptions were the E-Type and Daimler. I was amazed back in the late 70s and the 80s how much info and paperwork was still available back at Browns Lane and here with Bryssons (the Sydney & Melbourne distributors/dealers).

Any chance, Clarke, that we can convince you to launch a new thread to set out what to include and how?

Cheers.
.

 

Hi Ken, Doug & Grant.
So far I have found these forums very helpful, friendly and positive. I Also got great advice from member called "rustfree mike" about my throttle and kickdown issues.(now sorted thanks to mike)
Back to the bikes Ken, as I may have said to you earlier the XJ6 is a new project as the whole fleet is sorted and where I want it be. Had nothing to do in the garage except look or ride and a friend of mine bought a 77 Stag which I think re-sparked my 35 year old fascination with series 1 XJ's.
Yes,the XJR1300SP is very special bike, came out in 1977 Kenny Roberts Yamaha factory colours to commemorate his first world title. 20 were imported into Australia for homologation for racing in 2002 Aus superbike championship(naked bike class), one was raced,19 sold by dealers to the public, so the story goes that I was told. I came across mine at tyre shop on the Sunshine Coast in 2005. Went straight home and got the trailer.
Bonnieville was resurected from 5 years of being used as a farm bike,and Cafe Racer was a father and son project. Bikes are the passion,but I can see the XJ6 becoming the fav car, it's getting daily driving. Bikes and other cars are feeling neglected.
As for your request about diaries ,I will post a thread when time allows.

 

Vere cool machines Clarke

Cheers.