Daimler DS420 Converted cars

 

   logo (1.7kB)
 
Jaguar mockup (13kB)  

From the very first days, the classic lines of the DS420 have inspired people to unleash their own creativity and to design distinctively different variations. Already before the first launch, VandenPlas and Jaguar came up with a mock-up study for a shortened four-door saloon version.

Almost 25 years later, Brian Long wrote an article in the Jaguar Quarterly journal (Summer 1991) on plans to revive this design. Click here to read. Does anybody know what happened to this project?

 

Along the same lines, Tony Porter of Melbourne, Australia, came up with a study for a two-door version of the DS420, scaled back to the dimensions of the original 420G floorpan. As with the Jaguar mock-up, this project never left his initial brainstorming phase... But Bob Boston in Atlanta USA took up the challenge and produced a really handsome car!

  Porter-1 mockup (11kB)   Porter-2 mockup (11kB)
 
 
 
Inimitable (23kB)    the Inimitable Limo

24" longer than long....
Jill Handford, of Southfields, London, had this DS420 (FIL4118) stretched by 24 inches, and converted the interior to the "american" limousine style, with J-shaped bench, high-tech image and sound equipment, etcetera.

This car was offered for sale at H&H Classic Auctions in May 2006, but it did not sell. It was offered for sale on eBay in August 2006, and then by R&J Cars (see the web links page).

 
 
 
InTheSun  

On May 2nd, 2002, the BBC broadcast an episode of its "Panic Mechanics" series. Two teams competed to convert two abandoned DS420 hearses into dune buggies. And they became very handsome buggies indeed!

Photos: John Lakey.

 
Race0   Race2   Race3
 
The design of the green buggy "Freed Spirit" was from Edd China, who specialises in all kinds of spectacular conversions, such as a street-legal sofa, a motorised bathroom, and many more. The yellow car was designed by Paul Burnham of Burnham Autos.   Build   Crushed
 
 
Kafka-1   Mr. Vaćlav Kafka from Prague (Czech Republic) kindly provided these pictures of his cabrio-DS420. The conversion was conducted in his own workshop.   Kafka-4
Kafka-2     Kafka-3
 
 
 

Bob Boston from Atlanta, Georgia, USA converted a DS420 hearse to a flowercar in the style of the sumptuous gangster funerals in Chicago in the 30's of the last century. Bob owns a company that converts people carrier vans for use by handicapped people, and thus is a professional car converter. It shows...

The little "bubble car" on the back is another icon from his collection: a 1965 Peel Trident, made on the Isle of Man. Only 80 made.

The DS420 landaulette on the photo is also part of his collection of approx. half a dozen superb DS420 cars that is shown on his Cars&Owners page.

   flowercar
 
 
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