1971
Daimler
Limousine
An
automobile
used
by
a
beloved
member
of
the
British
royal
family
and
other
royalty,
produced
for
24
years,
and
which
may
have
inspired
one
of
the
most
controversial
American
automobile
designs
of
the
past
several
decades
should
be
well
known
to
car
enthusiasts.
Nevertheless,
the
Daimler
DS420
Limousine
appears
to
have
slipped
away
from
popular
memory,
seen
and
referenced
by
millions
but
with
few
remembering
it
specifically.
In
house
here
at
Classic
Auto
Mall
we
have
been
graced
by
royalty
taking
form
in
a
1971
Daimler
Limousine.
Though
this
one
may
never
have
had
royalty
or
even
celebrity
dignifying
its
luxurious
confines,
it
sure
looks
all
the
part.
Its
long
gracious
lines,
and
beautifully
but
simply
appointed
interior,
this
car
is
most
definitely
putting
on
the
Ritz.
Exterior
With
its
Jaguar-esque
4
round
light
setup
which
flanks
a
centrally
mounted
grille
and
radiator
surround,
and
framing
by
a
lower
thin
front
bumper,
one
can
see
the
influences
of
the
two
companies
(Daimler
and
Jaguar)
coming
together
in
the
design
of
this
car.
It
is
bathed
in
white
paint
with
steel
panels
showing
some
minor
rust
spots
and
scratches,
but
still
retaining
its
shine.
The
chrome
accoutrements
have
a
nice
patina
and
dulling
and
are
showing
signs
of
some
early
dimpling.
This
is
true
for
the
front
and
the
rear
of
this
limousine.
The
driver's
door
up
front
is
the
same
width
as
the
rear
passengers,
but
due
to
the
hinging
into
the
front
quarter
panel,
the
side
glass
area
is
markedly
less
than
the
rear
passengers.
The
rear
glass
has
been
tinted
and
has
an
extra
window
and
triangular
vent
window
which
starts
to
follow
the
downward
swooping
curve
of
the
trunk
area.
A
very
graceful
trim
spear
runs
through
the
door
handles
and
helps
frame
the
rear
downward
swoop
of
the
body.
In
back,
we
note
a
large
bulbous
trunk
another
thin
bumper
below
and
dual
exhaust
tips
hanging
below.
15-inch
wheels
are
all
around
with
standard
hubcaps.
Interior
2
separate
compartments
basically
make
up
the
interior.
Up
front
we
note
the
drivers
compartment
which
is
a
right-hand
drive
setup.
A
large
black
bench
stretches
from
door
to
door
and
is
very
nicely
preserved.
A
burl
veneer
dash
also
stretches
the
width
of
this
car,
and
contains
numerous
gauges
inserted,
temperature
controls,
and
a
litany
of
toggles.
The
burl
has
lost
some
of
its
lacquer
and
shows
some
wear.
Separating
the
two
areas
of
this
car
is
a
burl
covered
partition
with
a
sliding
plastic
window
for
extra
privacy.
In
this
space
we
note
another
luxurious
black
bench
with
side
arms
that
contain
essential
controls
and
a
full
cigarette/cigar
lighting
and
ashtray
capabilities.
Next
to
the
partition
are
dual
footrests
that
can
become
extras
jump
seats
if
needed.
Black
clean
carpet
floods
all
the
floors
and
a
fuzzy
broadcloth
in
off
white
makes
up
the
headliner.
Drivetrain
With
the
bonnet
up,
we
can
see
the
nicely
preserved
inline
6-cylinder
DOHC
engine.
This
has
2
SU
carburetors,
and
a
3-speed
Borg
Warner
automatic
transmission.
Undercarriage
Showing
some
surface
rust
showing,
and
plenty
of
tar
and
pitch
applied
on
some
of
the
frame
and
rocker
panels,
we
can
only
surmise
what
is
under
this
material.
Floorpans
are
sturdy,
independent
coil
spring
suspension
is
all
around
and
power
disc
brakes
for
the
stopping
power.
Drive-Ability
I
was
chauffeured
for
this
ride,
so
I
spent
my
time
in
the
\"royals\"
seat.
The
driver
reported
the
car
started
right
up,
and
the
heat
was
on
when
I
arrived.
We
were
off
to
the
test
track
and
I
was
joined
by
our
head
car
specialist
Larry,
who
adores
these
limo
driver
cars.
The
acceleration
was
reported
as
spirited,
the
ride
was
cloud
like,
and
our
driver
could
not
hear
us
when
the
sliding
window
was
closed.
Road
noise
in
back
was
very
limited,
and
the
rear
bench
was
comfortable.
Unfortunately,
we
had
no
Champagne
to
accent
our
intense
discussion,
but
the
experience
was
very
positive
overall.
A
few
dents
and
dings,
and
faults
on
the
exterior,
a
patina
interior
with
nice
seating
and
good
carpeting.
This
car
runs
well
and
cruises
like
a
car
made
for
those
deemed
more
important
to
regular
society.
Imagine
the
look
on
the
UBER
passenger's
face
when
you
pull
up...now
that
is
business
exposure
you
can
take
to
the
bank!