Daimler XJ40 LWB Cost new

[davidc]

Has anyone got a brochure and price list for the Daimler XJ40 LWB model from 1988. I am trying to track down how much they were new in the day.
Thanks
David

[robv12]

hello. there were no 1988 Daimler or any XJ40 LWB made by Jaguar, any 1988 cars would have been an outside conversion. Jaguars version, the Majestic came in for 1993 model year, prototypes were built in Nov 92, with a few more in early 93, the records are not entirely clear but the first tracked production car appears to be June 93. just 267/268 cars were built, with 71 remaining in the UK.

You could order a Majestic LWB with any spec you wanted, the "on top cost" for the LWB "extra" was £10K, so not to bad if you had a Daimler Double Six and full Insignia pack, that would come in at about £81K, BUT I have here a base 3.2 Gold Majestic, no aircon, part leather seats, original bill of sale states £28K, plus a £10K supplement for the LWB version, so nearly 30% price hike for an extra 6/7 inches in the back

These cars were line built at Brown's Lane, a part shell was sent to Project Aerospace in Coventry, who stretched the floor, B and D posts, added the new and unique roof, these shells were then painted and assembled in the usual way

Parts unique to a LWB 40 are many, all the fuel and brake line, propshaft, front and rear door glass and frames, rear doors, rear glass, parcel shelf, headlining, carpets, wood veneers, the list goes on and on, quite a cost for just short of 300 cars, which clearly did not sell. In the last months of 40 production most Majestic shells were built up and sold to Japan, with 43 cars going here in May, June and July of 1994

hope that helps a wee bit, loads more Majestic info and pictures here if any one is interested

[robv12]

here's a few pics of my Daimler Double Six Majestic

[davidc]

Many thanks Rob for the information you have provided. Very useful.
However I have seen the car as I am possibly interested in buying it. It is definitely Daimler and definitely LWB. First registered 1-1-1988 and the V5 lists model as Daimler 3.6 Auto. I have been to look and can't find any other badges on it where it says built by... or converted by....
What is attracting me is the fact that it is a time warp [is that what they call them] car. 13000 miles and split new everywhere including underneath and on top. It seems to be Sovereign spec with electric everything sun roof aircon etc etc.
I am trying to research it as I know little of the XJ40's. I have had in the last 18 months an X300 LWB sovereign and an X308 Daimler LWB sovereign, both unfortunately destroyed by others! [completely not my fault as stationary both occasions] I love the comfort and quiet for long journeys. And this unfortunately may be the downfall of this as I will use it and maybe it should be kept like this. But I don't believe in not using them so I am currently arguing with myself whether the 40 or a later X308!
Any advice gratefully received

[robv12]

David

we need pictures or the vin then to indentify what you have found

as I say no LWB cars were factory built until Nov 1992

all LWB cars will have M in the vin at the 7th identifier , so a Jaguar will be SAJJ **M and a Daimler will be SAJD**M

[davidc]

Rob
Strange!! definitely looks like LWB with the chrome window surrounds etc and the extended leg room in back. and current owner says it is
VIN is SAJDKALH388535041

I made a point of writing it down.
Thanks for continued assistance

David

[davidc]

Rob - I thought I may send for a heritage certificate and see if any more info on that

[robv12]

Good idea. But that vin is a standard wheelbase car. The 88 in the vin will in fact be AA . So we have a RHD Daimler standard wheelbase auto. Build number 535041

[robv12]

Pictures will confirm or otherwise

[davidc]

Thanks once again Rob.
I will take some pictures on Monday and forward you one. The weather here is atrocious and tbh I am not inclined to go out in it!!!

I may be totally wrong but it looks from side view a LWB to me and I was told it was!
I will keep you posted
David

[davidc]

Rob
Photos attached.
Your continued advice/ comments grately appreciated!!

[davidc]

Well that didn't work!!
I have downloaded instructions and will try again
Too large so try this
Cheers

[robv12]

standard wheel base car for sure

might even know it, black with grey leather??, ex Preston Funeral Directors spare car by any chance??

[davidc]

Rob
Well at least it sorts it out. Thanks for your help.
You certainly know your XJ40's!!!
It was as I understand it his own transport.
Do you know anything else of it's history? Apart from the fact it was obviously very rarely used!

[robv12]

If it is the same car, I was asked to value it many years ago by the grandson who had inherited and a number of other marvellous cars, not least Rolls Royce Silver Ghost of about 1903 vintage

The story went that in 1988, Grandad needed a new car, so he ordered two identical Daimlers from two different dealers in the hope he would get one car, however he got both, so bought them both, one was used, and this one became the "spare" car . when I saw it in about 2005 (I would need to check) it was at about 8K miles and non running, due to stale fuel and one or two other issues, BUT the condition was like new, I bid on the car then but did not get it, I bid again some years later when the grandson had another go at selling it, again I missed it, an now it seems to have resurfaced, small world!!