1964 Daimler 2½-Litre V8 Vicarage Convertible
Jaguar’s 1960 acquisition of Daimler secured production capacity but unexpectedly delivered Edward Turner’s compact V8 engine, a lightweight design borrowing hemispherical combustion chambers from Turner’s Triumph motorcycle work.
The 153-cubic-inch unit produced about 140 horsepower and weighed roughly 110 pounds less than Jaguar’s XK six, making it ideal for installation in the Mark 2 saloon bodyshell.
Launched in 1962, the resulting model combined Jaguar’s refined chassis with Daimler’s traditional fluted grille and more luxurious appointments. The V8’s roughly 110-mph top speed exceeded that of the overdrive-equipped 2.4-litre Mark 2 by a wide margin while offering notably smoother operation.
Borg Warner automatic transmission came standard initially, with manual gearbox options arriving later in the 1960s. More than 17,600 examples (including the later V8 250) were produced through 1969, making it Daimler’s most successful model.
Renowned Jaguar specialists Vicarage developed an exclusive convertible conversion program, having completed approximately fifteen Mark 2-based transformations and a very small number of Daimler V8 variants.
The comprehensive modifications included a power-operated hood, modern amenities (air conditioning, electric windows, central locking), structural reinforcement exceeding original saloon rigidity, coil-sprung independent rear suspension, rack-and-pinion power steering, upgraded braking components, and a ZF four-speed automatic transmission as used in later XJ40 models.
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