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The 'Daimler DS420', popularly known as the 'Daimler Limousine', began production in 1968. It was based on the floorpan of Jaguar's 420G flagship, but with a wheelbase extended an extra 20in (51cm). The passengers sat on a bench-seat behind the glass division in opulent comfort - the DS420's rear seat spanning over 6 feet (1.83m) in width. The dimensions of the vehicle are the same as those possessed by the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI which the limousine was designed to compete with.
The top speed available from this 245 bhp, three speed automatic, independently suspended, four wheel disc braked Daimler limousine was 110mph (176km/h)
The Daimler DS420 was bought in enthusiastic quantities by the funeral trade as mourners' cars or hearses. The vehicle was also purchased by many local authorities and embassies. The Inter-continental Hotel, Hong Kong, formerly The Regent Hotel still runs a fleet of twenty-two Daimler DS420s. The Royal Mews is now in possession of numerous Royal Daimler DS420s available for Royal use, the late Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother had two Royal Daimlers - a reminder of the royal patronage that Daimler lost to Rolls-Royce in the early 1950s. One of the Queen Mother's Daimler DS420s which is in royal claret colours is now in the possession of Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and is sometimes leased to his sons, Princes William and Harry. The Queen Mother's other DS420 was a Landaulet and was white, she took this on numerous overseas visits on the Royal Yacht Britannia, it was kept in a vast glass garage on board, for use in the visiting country as her official state car.
Originally built at the Vanden Plas works in London, production moved to Jaguar in Coventry in 1979, where it continued until 1992. Trim levels varied from the base model with wind up windows to a mobile boardroom built for Jaguar Boss John Egan in 1984, complete with TV, Fax Machine and Cocktail Cabinet and a computer. Always hand-made the DS420 had a fascia like no other 1960s Jaguar, remaining faithful for many years to the old fashioned steering column, to the selector for the automatic gearbox, and to the pencil-thin steering wheel.
Undercutting its rival the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI in cost by 50% or more, the big Daimler was considered to be a fine vehicle for the cost with its Le Mans winning Jaguar engine, the last car to use it, and bespoke construction.
The Daimler DS420 is widely used among the funeral trade, serving as both the executive car for grieving relatives and the hearse for the deceased, after customization to fit funeral needs.

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External links

★ http://www.myds420.info/