Driving a Series 1 Daimler Sovereign (XJ)

I recently had the opportunity to drive a Series 1 Daimler Sovereign.  By this I am referring to the model based on the Jaguar XJ, not the earlier car based on the 420.   The Sovereign model was introduced in 1966, as a Daimler version of the Jaguar 420.  The 420 was essentially a Jaguar S-Type with a restyled front to resemble the the MK X.  It was fitted with the 4.2 litre engine with a double carburettor setup instead of triple SU’s as found on the E-type and MK X.   In the real world there probably wasn’t difference two to three.

In 1969, the 420 based Sovereign was replaced by a new model based on the Jaguar XJ6, which had been introduced the year before.  The XJ6 was a ground-breaking car.  Its suspension and handling were still excellent even in the late 80s when it went out of production.   In 1968 it was world beating.   The XK engine, introduced in 1948 was still excellent and gave the car very good performance for its time.   The XK is all about torque and while the 133 KW is respectable, it is the 310NM of torque that makes these cars glide along effortlessly.

The Sovereign made a good car even better, the Daimler grille is much more attractive than the rather busy Series 1 XJ6 grille, and the small interior improvements are nice.  The lack of wood trim on the door is probably the only drawback.   The Daimler was also more exclusive.  While 59,077 XJ6 SWB were made, there were only 11,522 Sovereign SWB cars. At least in 1972, the Daimler was 3.85% more expensive than the Jaguar.

I drove this particular car because a friend was interesting in purchasing it and wanted another opinion.  It was made in 1970.   Being a 1970 car it had the black surrounds on the instrument cluster, but the earlier reversing lights and ventilation setup.   It also had the updated transmission.   It was finished in the very attractive colour combination of British Racing Green with cream leather seats.  Being originally a UK delivered car, it has a Webasto folding sunroof.   The car had amazing history and had been in long term ownership with significant work done on it.

Driving the car, it is easy to see why the XJ and Sovereign were such a revelation when new.  Even 50 years later, it is so far ahead of much else on the road.   The car was located on the central coast and we drove up there in his company car, a late model SUV.  The SUV felt every bump and undulation on the road, every expansion joint was fed back into the car.   It had a course, thashy engine and the interior was full of cheap plastics.

Contrast with the Sovereign.  The twin cam inline six cylinder engine is smooth and torquey.   While it is not fast by modern car standards, it has all the power you need.  On the motorway on the way back, there was Tesla attempting some kind of hypermiling up a hill at low speed.   The Daimler kicked down and passed it effortlessly.   The interior is a lovely place to be and it is quite comfortable.   But the suspension is probably the best part of it.  It is smooth and supple.   You really don’t feel any of the bumps on the road.   Yet and the same time it handles well.

Now there are of course some drawbacks.  Wind noise is much higher than on a modern car.   The sovereign is not fitted with air-conditioning and it was 30C outside.   The instruments are not especially accurate.   To me these are minor drawbacks and the car really is a delight.   I wasn’t in a position to buy another car, but had I been I would have been happy to buy it myself.

The comparison to my own Double-Six is interesting.   The cars are very similar.   The obvious difference is the engine and interior, but my car is based on the LWB car rather than the SWB in this case.   Obviously there is a fair performance difference.   But I didn’t find the Sovereign lacking.   It is more that the Double-Six is totally effortless, where as the six has to kick down at times.    The LWB platform gives a bit more space, but the proportions are better on the SWB cars.   The V12 also generates a lot more residual engine bay heat.   Being very tall, I found my own car a little more roomy, but i was able to get quite comfortable in the Sovereign.  There would certainly be room to own both cars.

This car was also an interesting comparison to the British Racing Green XJ12 I drove a few years ago.  The colour suits both cars.