1996 DAIMLER CENTURY

KEY FACTS

• A fine example of the rare British luxury car, presented in an elegant factory hue and with low mileage from new.
• Under the bonnet is the wonderfully smooth 6.0-litre V12, which produces 315bhp and is coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission.
• This is one of only 100 V12-equipped Daimler Centuries produced, making it a particularly rare modern classic luxury car.
• Today, the odometer displays just 46,856 miles, owing to the vehicle’s sparing use, with the seller having covered only 26,000 miles since they acquired the car in April 2000. There is only one previous keeper on the V5C.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• Created to mark the 100th anniversary of Daimler Motor Cars, the ‘Century’ model name was applied to 100 six-cylinder and 100 twelve-cylinder X300-generation cars.
• All were based on the long-wheelbase chassis, and were particularly well-appointed, with every usually optional extra fitted as standard, as well as chromed wheels, electrically adjustable rear seats, embroidered headrests and unique polished sill plates bearing the ‘Century’ name.
• Factory fitted equipment includes electrically adjustable front seats with memory function, heated front and rear seats, rear picnic trays and sunblinds, cruise control, traction control, power folding door mirrors and headlamp washers, to name but a few items.
• The car will be supplied with all of its original handbooks, as well as partial documentation of its service history.

CONDITION

• There is no known bodywork damage. Rust repairs were carried out on the offside rear quarter panel and the sunroof cavity in 2011 and 2020 respectively.
• The Spruce Green finish is in very good overall condition, and the driver’s-side of the car has been previously resprayed to remove some minor scratches.
• In line with the car’s age and mileage, there are a few minor blemishes on the paintwork, including small stone chips on the lower front bumper and light scratches around the car, including on the rear passenger-side door, and a small scuff on the driver’s-side of the rear bumper.
• Inside, the cabin is very smart indeed, with some slight use-related discolouration on the front seats, but no noticeable wear or damage on the acres of burr walnut trim.
• Furthermore, the headlining was replaced when the sunroof opening was repaired, and is in great shape.
• The display for the digital clock has faded somewhat, and the seller notes that the Automatic Transmission Failure warning light illuminates when the car is started in very cold weather, but this is always resolved by stopping and restarting the car.
• The car’s last MOT was conducted 2 October 2020 at 46,740 miles, resulting in a clean pass after the offside front upper shock absorber bush was replaced, as detailed below.

SERVICE HISTORY

• This Daimler’s most recent routine maintenance was carried out in October 2020 at 46,740 miles by Hollygrove Independent Jaguar specialists, who performed a full service including replacement of the spark plugs, the offside front upper shock absorber bush and the throttle spindle bush.
• Prior to this, the nearside front shock absorber was replaced in February 2020, the steering rack was repaired in April 2018 and a major service was carried out in January 2017.
• During the vendor’s ownership the front suspension springs have also been changed, along with all four tyres. A new battery was fitted in November 2020.
• The seller notes that the car’s service history is somewhat limited owing to its limited use, while some maintenance has not been recorded.

Dates and mileage:

• 10/03/97 - 7,511 miles SERVICE
• 20/03/98 - 14,629 miles SERVICE
• 03/03/99 - 18,156 miles SERVICE
• 12/03/00 - 20,832 miles SERVICE
• 02/04/03 - 26,222 miles SERVICE
• 05/04/05 - 29,980 miles SERVICE
• 03/10/06 - 31,712 miles SERVICE
• 08/11/07 - 34,365 miles SERVICE
• 17/03/10 - 38,395 miles
• 28/03/11 - 39,569 miles MOT TEST
• 04/04/12 - 40,430 miles MOT TEST
• 26/03/13 - 41,301 miles MOT TEST
• 26/03/14 - 42,060 miles MOT TEST
• 30/03/15 - 42,659 miles MOT TEST
• 04/04/16 - 43,402 miles MOT TEST
• 16/01/17 - 43,969 miles SERVICE
• 10/04/18 - 44,840 miles SERVICE
• 06/03/20 - Mileage TBC SERVICE
• 02/10/20 - 46,740 miles SERVICE

SUMMARY

As one of only 100 examples produced, this Daimler Century Double Six is an especially rare modern classic luxury car. Equipped with every convenience one could hope for and with all of the gravitas that goes along with the Daimler name, this highly original, low-mileage example would make a superb long-distance tourer or opulent daily driver.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.