Lot Ended
Description
Few miles on reconditioned engine; much recent expenditure with many
new parts; runs beautifully; nice interior; paintwork needs
attention
The Landaulette is a body style that is
not often seen these days but, if you are in the wedding car business in the UK,
it is probably the only sensible option – you never know when a sudden shower
might strike!
This 1985 Daimler DS420 Limousine
was professionally converted in 2000 by Maurdon Motors of Northampton, who have
a good reputation for this sort of modification. The chassis has been
strengthened to retain the car’s structural integrity, the hood folds away
quickly and neatly, and there are proper quarter-lights at the rear to prevent
the bride’s coiffure from being blown about.
Although the odometer shows over 149,500 miles, the Daimler was
fitted with a reconditioned engine in 2002 and was then only lightly used for
wedding/funeral hire in the hands of Frank Painter & Sons of Shrewsbury.
They sold the car via Brightwells in 2018 which is when our vendor acquired it,
paying £11,200 to secure it.
Immediately after
buying the car our vendor sent it to West Hoathly Garage of Sussex for a tidy up
of the bodywork. This cost £7,300 and included repairs to the sills and front
wings; removing and refitting all four doors to ensure good fit; removing all
the brightwork and repainting the entire lower half of the car from cream to
Oxford Blue. All four wheels were also refurbished.
The car was then gone right through to bring it up to tip-top
mechanical order with many new parts fitted, as detailed in invoices on file.
These include: new brake discs and pads all round; front wheel bearings; ball
joints; core plugs; coolant hoses; rear suspension mountings; radius arm bush;
steering pump rebuild; differential seals plus various other items. Most
recently it had a new battery in November 2022 and a general tune-up and
check-over in April this year which cost £714.
As you can see in the photos, the car looks very smart inside and
the bodywork is straight and rust-free but unfortunately the Oxford Blue paint
has reacted in some places and developed cracks which will need attention. It
has been starting instantly and running beautifully as we have moved it around
on site, feeling taut and rattle-free with good 45psi oil pressure. It has an
MOT until May 2024 with no advisories recorded.
The DS420 limousine was a top-of-the-range model favoured by the
Royal Family and other heads of state and was built to a high standard. This car
has many fine qualities and has had much money lavished upon it. On offer here
at no reserve, the best bid drives it home.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email
[email protected]