Daimler Coupe drivers handbook

[LJR]

Im trying to assemble all the original documents my double six coupe would and should have come with. Who can tell me what folder the drivers manual would have been in? Is it the blue one with gold daimler lettering and a press stud? What other docs came with them?

[mike020150]

Hi,

Your query has served to bring out all my anorak tendencies! I suspect that the original packs varied slightly by model years. Mine is a 1977 car and the cover for the pack was a blue plastic one entitled Leyland Cars Supercover Handbook Portfolio with a paper tag marked "Urgent. Attention of Leyland Owners only" attached by a loop of string.
My pack contains the following:
Satisfaction card for posting to Derek Whittaker (Managing Director)
Change of Ownership notification card
Temporary membership card for Supercover
Operating instructions for a push button radio/cassette player GCA 617
Supercover leaflet
Supercover registration card
Registration of ownership card
Daimler Double Six & D 66 Vanden Plas Drivers handbook E.1042/1 along with key numbers label
Signed Dealer PDI check list designed to hang from the interior mirror
D 66 lube & maintenance folded poster
Aircon wiring diagram
Fuel Injection wiring diagram
Main wiring diagram

Happy collecting! Mike.

[LJR]

Thanks mike, a very comprehensive and helpful reply, I've only got 2 of those 14 items so a lot of collecting to do

Much appreciated

Lucas

[mike020150]

Hi Lucas,
I've realised I left out the service booklet, a separate transparent plastic folder containing a generic British Leyland Passport to Service with space for dealer stamps as well as two inserts: one for the 1000 mile first 'free' service; the other is the Leyland cars Owner's service statement. Happy searching! Mike.

[greenlane]

Hi Mike,
Enjoyed looking through the list of Supercover Documents.
My car is a 76 V12 saloon and only came to me with the handbook.
I bought at a spares day a few years ago a complete unused Supercover pack, with the correct handbook. So I've checked the contents against yours.
Some differences:
GM 400 gearbox, separate supplement, dated 1977.
Fuel Injection System Diagnostic Aid, on separate card, dated1975.
Letter invitation to join JDC.
No radio instructions.
The handbook covers the saloon and coupe and is dated 76.
Interestingly the brown envelope it was sealed in as supplied to the dealer is dated 2/78.
I was wondering when these Supercover Packs were introduced and if they would be correct to go with a 75/76 car?
All interesting stuff.
Simon

[mike020150]

Hi Simon,

As you say, it's all fascinating detail. I also have an incomplete pack for a 'p' reg car which came with a Supercover insert if it helps to date the Supercover era.

FWIW my Daimler handbook for a 1977 fuel injected & GM gearbox equipped car (manufactured in April) is dated 1975. I suspect that Jaguar always being tight for finance would have used up stocks of handbooks so, equally, to have still been using '76 handbooks at 2/78 probably isn't surprising.

One thing which I find odd in the pack is the proliferation of different Leyland, Jaguar, Daimler and even Unipart contact points. It conveys a very disjointed and messy approach to the marketing image of the organisation at that time which someone should have spotted however close to the truth it may have been. Mike.

Ps if you really want to plumb the depths of detail, the identical brochures but for different years were produced with different qualities of paper!

[greenlane]

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the reply and extra info.
It looks like my P,reg car, manufactured in Jan 76, would have had the Supercover Pack.
Another copy of the handbook I have, which I thought was the same as the 76 one, turns out to be different, on closer inspection.
The picture of the coupe has gone and the gearbox instructions have changed to the GM, yet no date anywhere.
So probably a reprint after the end of coupe production. Big expense!
Simon.

[LJR]

Hi Mike,

any chance of a picture of it all so I know what to look out for?

thanks

Lucas

[mike020150]

Hi Lucas,

I can't manage to do it today but I'll dig it all out and send you a pic or pics next week. Mike.