Daimler DS420 Press photographs by Jaguar Cars


Daimler DS420 Press photographs

This page shows various press photographs by Jaguar Cars. in time order. All photos can be enlarged by clicking.

The DS420 was introduced on June 11th, 1968. An invitation card for the happening is shown to the left, although this has a slightly different date. (click to enlarge).
Car MDU808F was the second DS420; it had body number 1M1002 and its recorded production date was April 17, 1968. It was kept at the factory as a "company car". The car was taken to an outdoor photo session, and a press release was published.

The first page of the press release is shown to the left. Click on it to enlarge the image, and to get access to the subsequent pages (11 pages total). With the press release came two photos with text caption: DCN174 with the interior (right, top) and DCN175 (right, bottom).

The photos of the outdoor session were heavily used in all kinds of promotional material such as sales brochures and magazine articles. Five photos following here-below are from that collection. While browsing though this web site, the tree pattern with the earthen wall in the background will show up at many more places.

These photos, unnumbered, are from the same photo session. The middle one appeared in Brian Long's book "Daimler and Lanchester" (pg. 291). The other two are extremely rare. Note that the rightmost one is taken from a slightly different angle as photo DCN175 (here-above). Click here to compare the two.

Photo 189656 (left) had the "royal blue lamp" from the roof edited away. In this form it was used in all Owner's Manuals.

The b&w brochure "Daimler of Coventry" has photo 190726 (right), plus the interior photo shown above, plus still another one taken at this same occasion.

Also this photo 190726 was used in colour, and with visible license plate MDU808F, on the first and on the last page of the 1969/1970 brochures.

Press photo 199239 is with the same car MDU808F as the above photos, but at an entirely different location.
Almost 25 years later this photo would serve as the inspiration for one of the famous calendar airbrush drawings, although a different car was inserted there (see both illustrations together).

It is taken in London, looking West from Piccadilly Circus. More information is available under the above-mentioned link.

The leftmost photo shows Vanden Plas at an Earls Court exposition. Comparison with photos in Brian Smith's "Vanden Plas Coachbuilders" book (top photo on pg. 292) shows that it is from the International Motor Exhibition of October 16-26, 1968, i.e. immediately after the introduction of the DS420.

The next photo to the right is from the Earls Court 1968 exhibition as well, and the Press release text next to it exactly describes the Daimler stand as shown, with a black limousine. Surprisingly, the Daimler brand had its own presence on this show, separate from the Jaguar and from the Vanden Plas stands.

Daimler stand at Earls Court, 1968 or 1969

These photos also suggest Earls Court, a handful of years later. Most probably this is on the VandenPlas stand in 1972.

Daimler stand at Earls Court, mid-seventies

Photos 206221 (right) and 206248 (left) probably date from 1969 (license year letter H in BMC868H). The leftmost photo shows, barely visible on the right side behind the car, the street name Sackville Street. This means that it is taken very close to the place where the above "Piccadilly" photo was shot.

Photo Z700 dates from early 1970 (license year letter H). It shows the limo of the Mayor of Coventry with license plate 1COV, parked in front of The Council House, Earl Street, in the centre of Coventry. This is car 1M1380. It was delivered in February 1970, and used until its successor 1M2683 was delivered in March 1974.

A photo of that successor car appeared in The Driving Member magazine and is shown elsewhere on this site.
As long as the DS420 stayed in production, the Mayor of Coventry stayed faithful to the model and to the 1COV license number. We have a photo of a rubber block bumper car (1985), and also in The Driving Member (April 11, 1989) appeared a photo of the Lord Mayor with a rubber bumper DS420 model.

Now follows a collection of press bulletins from the 1970-1973 period. Some are multi-page publications. The row of thumbnails only shows the first page of these, but clicking on the thumbnail gives access to the full sequence. The large versions are all chained together by click points.
The first one dates from September 1970 and it describes Daimler's 1971 model range. It announces that Daimler will show a limousine on several major motor shows that fall (1970). On the Earls Court show there will even be a separate Vanden Plas stand, also with a DS420.
The second one describes the Earls Court exhibition in October 1970, where Daimler and Vanden Plas wil have DS420 limousines on display: black on the Daimler stand, and maroon at Vanden Plas.
The third one describes the Earls Court exhibition in October 1971, where Daimler and Vanden Plas again wil have DS420 limousines on display: light grey on the Daimler stand, and light silver over dark blue at Vanden Plas.
The fourth one describes a press day at the Silverstone circuit on October 17, 1971, where a ride in a DS420 (although outside the circuit) can be booked.
The fifth bulletin is from mid-1972; it is not show-related but mainly serves to announce the forthcoming introduction of the high-end "Daimler Double Six Vanden Plas" in September. The bulletin also announces "detailed improvements" for the 1973 model year limousine, but these are not described in such detail as the next bulletin does.
The sixth/last bulletin is for the Earls Court show in late 1972, with a limousine on the Daimler stand. A limo on the Vanden Plas stand is not mentioned. However, this bulletin describes in some detail the major modifications that the DS420 went through in summer 1972 for the 1973 model year: modified last side window, modified rear arm rests, modified walnut burl wood trim. The fact that the division window now extends all the way to the ceiling is presented as an improvement of the interior visibility for the chauffeur. The division wall is slightly repositioned to give the chauffeur more legroom.

I had never seen this press photo in any publication before I came across this copy for my own collection. The back has a stamp from British Leyland (Austin-Morris) Ltd, Cowley Division, identifying it as press photo 208813. Comparing this number with other BL press photos indicates that it dates from late 1970, early 1971. There are no visible details on the car to contradict this. Being that early it must have been shot at the Vanden Plas works in Kingsbury, London.

The leftmost photo (unnumbered) has a barely visible license year number L (1972). It shows the then new design of the last side window, which changed from a wind-down type (with vertical side-post) to a swivel/hinged type. Also, the fog lamps moved outward. The book Daimler Days shows this photo on page 884. The sales brochure "The Daimler Limousine is here, Your Excellency" has a colour picture taken at the same spot, at a slightly different angle. Other pictures in that brochure suggest that this is car EWK1L.

The rightmost photo shows the same car EWK1L. The above-mentioned brochure (same page) has a photo taken at the same location. This must have been part of a larger series of press photos, since a 1974 magazine article shows still another photo of the same car at the same location.

The next four pictures show a car with direction lights on the door post, and on the side of the front wing. Much later the ones on the front wing became standard. These press photographs (unnumbered) are very rare; they are not even published in Daimler Days. They are taken in London SW1 around St. James's Square.

In 2001, the JDHT published a Jaguar Photo Library CD-ROM, with a collection of archive photographs. The CD contains one DS420 photo (left). It shows the license plate BHP700L, which suggests that this is a 1972/1973 car.

The rightmost one comes from Brian Long's book Daimler and Lanchester (pg.293). It must have been taken at the same occasion as the other ones.

Also from 1972/1973, and shown on page 877 of Daimler Days, are these pictures No. 224051 (left) and 224049 (right). They show car MBY600L.

Photos 239834 (left) and 239836 (right) show the famous Landaulette for the Governor of Jamaica (one of the only two factory built Landaulettes, car 1M2488). The original picture has the note: "Not to be published until 8 March 1974", but the book Vanden Plas Coachbuilders lists the production of this car in July 1973.

Clicking on the rightmost picture will show two slightly different editions of that press photo (same negative number).

This web site has an entire page devoted to the factory produced landaulettes, showing more photographs and the corresponding press release.

photo 239836, Gov. Jamaica.2 1973 (14kB)

The B&W photos above show the three Vanden Plas cars in the British Leyland repertoire, on the forecourt of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock near Oxford. They were part of the September 1974 press release announcing the upgrade of the smallest VdP model from 1300 to 1500 specs at the British International Motor Show (London, Earls Court, 16-26 Oct.). The press release itself is shown as well; clicking on it will enlarge the text and give access to the subsequent pages. The limo shown has reg. HUB509N. The press release text specifies a different colour combination for the Motor Show car. This photo shoot took place on July 5th 1974, and the full range of photos published has numbers 248708-248714 (248709 and 248712 missing in my collection).
Photo 248711 (top left) was distributed in large quantities, Next to it is photo 248714, much rarer; it is almost identical to 248711 but taken from a slightly different angle. The (top) rightmost photo is No. 248708, not very rare. You may compare the display on this photo to an earlier (1973) magazine article. The two B&W photos on the lower row (248713 and 248710) are much rarer. The same illustration as photo 248710, but taken from a slightly different angle, was used as the cover photo of the Motor magazine of September 21, 1974.

For the introduction of the Vanden Plas 1500 the Thames TV 'Drive It' program made a documentary at the Vanden Plas factory in the Kingsbury suburb in North London, of which we link to a YouTube video here. The reporter enters the iconic entrance of the Vanden Plas site at Church Lane No. 469 in a DS420 (a LHD one!). Click on that thumbnail image to start. This is followed by a small tour through the factory, showing the production lines of the VdP 1500, of the Daimler Double Six model and the upholstery department, with an occasional DS420 in the background. After 3:35 minutes the video continues outside the factory with VdP model 1500 coverage only.

Photo 248718 is from the same photoshoot at Blenheim Palace in 1974, but it was distributed explicitly for DS420 promotion, and used as such at least until late 1975. The photo shows the rear view of the Blenheim Palace. The book Daimler Days has it in a cut-out format on page 887. Similar photos were made of the other two Vanden Plas cars (e.g. photo 248717 for the Daimler Double Six).

In February 1974 (starting with car 1M2670) the door locks of the DS420 changed significantly. The keyholes now sit much higher than before. This photo clearly shows the new positions.

Photo 269783 (left) is from 1976 (license year letter R in ORW800R). The book Daimler Days shows it on page 890. Note the -non standard- direction light high up on the door post behind the front door. There are publications of this picture in colour. Photo 269782 (right) is much rarer. Note that the insignia on the front air inlets are gone now.

In November/December of this year the bumper overriders would change from chrome ones to rubber blocks, as following pictures show.

Photo 274501 is a rare one from (probably) 1977. It has the following caption:

License number 1PMG stands for "Patrick Motors Group", the parent company of Birmingham's Daimler distributor "Reeve and Stedeford". On the average, R&S bought a new demonstration car every one or two years, so many different cars have carried this plate.

Photo 277117 shows a car from the first half of 1977. Its rubber block bumpers were introduced in Nov/Dec. 1976, and the wing mirrors were replaced by door mirrors in the summer of 1977.

It is unbelievable that this photo was actually meant for publication, with the eye-striking cable hanging from the roof in the background. The photo was initially contributed from the archive of the Vanden Plas Owners' Club. Since then I have found a copy for my own collection. It has the caption text: "International Motor Show (but no year): an example of a Daimler limousine, the body panels of which are produced by Motor Panels".

The rightmost photo, from my own collection, has a stamp on the back from the British Leyland Motor Corp, Photographic Department, 17053/C, plus a hand-written note dating this in 1977. The one in the middle, contributed from the archive of the Vanden Plas Owners' Club, has number 17054/C. The photos are heavily discoloured since this car had, according to the JHT records, a "light blue velours" interior. Click here for a scan from the same picture, taken before the colour changed so much. The leftmost photo is No. 279475.

The magazine article below is from an unknown source. Brian Smith's book Vanden Plas Coachbuilders, page 295, shows the same illustration. Note that this is the same cabinet as on the above colour pictures: same veneer pattern. The cocktail cabinet was introduced in late 1973, initially on request of one wealthy customer. More cocktail cabinet information: click here.
According to the book, this cabinet was mounted in car UAC51R, of which we have several photos. Three of these photos are contributed from the archive of the VPOC. Despite its UK license number, this car (1M20146; May 1977) was meant for the French market, as can be seen from the yellow head light bulbs, and its left hand steering wheel. The photoshoot of car UAC51R and its cabinet interior most probably was in July and/or August 1977. The 6 photos shown below have the following numbers: top row left to right: unknown, 279494, unknown; bottom row: 279476, 279505, unknown. They are all part of a very large series of over 30 photos: 279473-279506.

Photo 282027 (no caption) shows the DS420 at the Motorfair Exhibition at Earls Court in London, 19-30 October 1977. The position of the separation between the two colors is exceptional, especially near the headlamps. No other sales publication in my collection has it located as shown on this photo. And, albeit small: white wall tyres!

This was car 1M3506BW, manufacturing date Sept. 2, 1977. Its body was light green over dark metallic green, very handsome. The interior was in green dralon, velours lookalike. Photos of its green interior were used in many sales brochures, for several years to come. We have an entire photo gallery about this car, up to its current (2023) ownership.

These photos (unnumbered) are from early 1980. They show license no. DVC803V (V is for 1979/1980), which was one of the first cars to be assembled in Browns Lane. Note how different the interior is compared to the earliest models, as shown at the top of this page: much less wood (since 1972), plastic window handles, etc. Also note the rectangular air inlets and indicator lamps under the headlights.

Photo C345, with the interior trimmers at work, is shown in many books. It was part of a press release in early 1981, where Daimler showed the "group assembly" system for the limousine production that was introduced when the production came to Browns Lane. The Motor magazine of February 21, 1981 published an article, based on this press release text. The Autocar magazine, also of February 21, 1981, distilled a smaller article.

Photo DA1286 (left) was part of the same press release as the above one. It shows the redesigned (rectangular) air inlets and direction lights, as fitted from 1980. The revision also did away with the flying D on the bonnet and replaced it with a D-medallion, as had previously only been fitted on cars to be exported to countries forbidding these pedestrian-killing devices on the front of a car (i.e. most European mainland countries). Also the new square overriders with rubber block inlay are clearly visible.
Note that this limo is still with chrome rimbellishers (wheel rings), which accurately dates this photo in 1980.
Slightly later, when the news factor of the "group assembly" had faded, the same photo was distributed with another press release text. It is a two-page text, of which we show the first one here (left). Click on it to get access to the full text, enlarged. The content is not very inspired: simple straight forward sales chitchat. It mentions that 2800 limousines have been produced. That number was actually reached in 1982.

Photo 321563 (left) is from 1984 (license year letter A). This photo was part of the January 1984 press release that described the office car. More info on this office car (including the press release text) is Here.

Note the absence of the chrome rimbellishers (eliminated in 1982), but the wheels are still of the steel type.

The same photo was re-issued again two years later as photo DA1302 (right). But this required of course an update to the license number: it changed from A601KDV to C801KDV, to position the car in 1986. The book Daimler Days shows these photos on pages 910 and 915. Click on either one to compare them in enlarged form.

These photos were part of the January 1984 press release that described the office car. They have been published many times, as can be seen both on the pages with magazine articles, and on the office car page. But here are original press photos, including their neg. numbers (from left to right) 321567, 321574 and 321572. The No. 321574 (middle) is not hard to find, but the other two are rare.

Jaguar/Daimler exhibited this DS420 at the International Motor Show in the NEC Birmingham, 17-28 October 1984.

International Motor Show, NEC Birmingham, Oct. 1984

These two photos from 1985 were not officially published by Jaguar, but there are several indications that the factory was involved in their production. The photos, showing car A598JAC, were taken near Warwick Castle, which is just 14 miles from Browns Lane. The blue roof light was only available to Royalty, so this car was certainly not owned by a local customer. And finally, stamps on the back of these photos are identical to what is on the back of this photo (shown on our "Production figures" page), which was shot inside the Browns Lane plant.

This press text was released in March 1986.

1985 had a slight boost in limo sales figures, as this text mentions. The success did not last; production in 1986 stayed far below the 250 units announced in this text.

This picture is from a 1989 Press Release by Jaguar France, although it is obviously shot in the English Cotswolds area (Broadway Hotel, Broadway, Cotswolds), as the typical yellow stones show. It is also printed in a 1987 sales brochure.

This photo DA1311 (car F401JAQ) was part of a press release in October 1988, for the 1989 model year. It came together with the text pages displayed next to it.

Note that this photo was shot at exactly the same spot as the colour photo above, and as the 1987 (!!) sales brochure.

The text pages announce the introduction of the cast alloy wheels, replacing the pressed steel ones. But the car shown still has the pressed steel wheels (latest version, silver grey paint, without chrome rimbellishers).

Photos 91DA/1321 (left) and DA1321 (middle) show a very late model.
Here at last are the alloy wheels, introduced in 1989, on display. A December 1990 magazine article showed part of this picture in colour (right). So these photos date from 1989 or 1990, The Daimler Days book shows photo DA1321 (on page 922) for the year 1991.
The location is Eastnor Castle near Ledbury, Herefordshire, England, which is a stone's throw away from Malvern where the Morgan sports cars are manufactured.

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