Lot 104 - 1962 Daimler DQ450 Majestic Major

Motor Sport magazine described the Daimler Majestic Major as having "sportscar performance" and indeed it did, remaining stable at over a reported 120mph. The coachwork was built by a subsidiary company, however, called Carbodies at a different pace than other cars at Browns Lane on another production line that was ‘hand-moved’ in order to maintain quality.

This was the final flowering of a tradition that reaches back to the very dawn of motoring, of building superbly engineered cars of understated luxury and quality. The Majestic had been originally powered by a rather sedate 3.8 litre, six-cylinder unit, but the Major was the first and only application for an ambitious and potent 4.5 litre, V8. Output was over 220bhp, which gave this very substantial luxury saloon a startling 0-60mph time of 9.7 seconds, very considerably faster than its two-seater contemporary, the MGA. Power was delivered through a three-speed Borg Warner automatic gearbox, and the designers also wisely incorporated disc brakes. 2600FN is a very impressive example of what is now a rare car. It returned to the UK in 2019 after spending some years in a substantial collection in central Italy. Since then, it has undergone an engine rebuild at a cost of some £7,000 and now demonstrates the driving qualities which hugely impressed the Motor Sport magazine road tester, (rather to his surprise, it must be said), in 1961. Coachwork is well finished in a dark claret colour which complements well the lavish chrome bright work, while the interior retains the original and very high-quality leather trim and carpeting although the typically handsome walnut wood capping should benefit from repolishing after some six decades. A rare, rewarding and pleasing example of an uncommon and underestimated model.

Interested parties should note that new kingpins and Rema bushes have been supplied and fitted. The engine and gearbox have also been removed and stripped down, crank shaft polished, block honed and new big-end and main bearings, rings and seals fitted with valves ground. The gearbox has been stripped with the supply and fit of clutches and seals. Additionally, clean rocker shafts, adjusted tappets, and new carburettor diaphragms have been fitted as well as new brake pipes, calipers, pads and ancillaries all totalling £9,586.