Jaguar/Daimler V12 Engine - a Powerhouse in a Silk Glove | Tyrrell's Classic Workshop

In this episode, Iain talks about one of the finest mass- produced internal combustion engines of its era, here in its original “pre- HE” form, allied to a chassis of extraordinary refinement. The cachet of a silky but potent V12, and an eye to the lucrative US market, eventually helped to influence both BMW and Mercedes to follow suit; a game-changer indeed!
Thank you once again to everyone for the overwhelming reception of these videos and for all the support of likes, subscribes and wonderful comments.
This video was brought to you by Aston Lark - www.astonlark.com/tyrrellswor...
In association with A House of Cars - ahouseofcars.com/
Filmed and edited by Whipp3dCream - whipp3dcream.com/
Interested in purchasing a classic car? Check out Iain's guides with Supercars Monaco - / @supercarsmonacotv7831
Follow Iain on Instagram: / iain_tyrrell
Follow Iain on Facebook: / iain-tyrrell-moments-2...
---
IMAGE ATTRIBUTION:
Jaguar MENA (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „Jaguar's 'Perfect Ten' - Most important and iconic Jaguar cars (15134343316)“, crop by TCW, creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Brian Snelson (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., „1966JaguarXJ13-engine“, crop by TCW, creativecommons.org/licenses/...

[@jackthehatphoto]

The Jaguar V12 cars are eerily quiet, almost ghostly. Even a Tesla is noisier in the cabin. The cars were masterpieces of design, elegance, refinement and pace.

[@josebarretomartins9223]

I wish modern cars had half of the elegance and beauty of the cars of that era. Nowadays every vehicle looks, more or less, the same. Thank you Iain Tyrrell for such wonderful videos.

[@blxtothis]

Not untrue but if you look at all cars of the era, they all followed similar trends, safety regulations, fashion, aero developments all become copied amongst the manufacturer’s. Jaguar were one of those that beat their own path and were criticised at the time for looking backwards unlike Mercedes, Audi and others who were more futuristic with some design elements. This is so with the evolution of early coachbuilding onto motorised and adapted carriages through automotive design in every era. Somebody hit Son a great idea or solution and somebody else is inspired to improve or adapt it. As time progresses, regulations and safety regulations as well as environmental considerations have added new challenges. It makes it really hard to design a car to look superb in the mass market and still stand out from the competition, most try too hard and look awful within a couple of years. Ford copied many Mercedes features on their 1970s car particularly with what they claimed were tail lights that were cleaned by air flow, a feature Merc had started on the S Class and then all their ranges. Jaguar stayed true to their design heritage for longer than other manufacturers apart from Rolls/Bentley. Frankly I celebrate that, not everybody did back then and it led them down a blind alley even up to now where most of the models since then have been with a couple of exceptions, pretty disastrous from a styling point of view. The recent, especially the S Type and the horrid X Type and current line ups apart from The F Type are bland, unadventurous and have no road presence to distinguish them from the pack nowadays. Even the current XJ which was a brave attempt, is now ancient and is crying out forma trailblazing and exciting design departure. My guess is they’ll have to kill that sector for cost savings. A real shame considering what an amazing manufacturer they have been since they evolved from a motorbike sidecar manufacturer!

[@grandmastarflash]

Probably the talent in car design today is just as good as it was back then, the problem is now there are so many regulations requiring bits to be rounded, lights put in a certain place, certain things need to be a particular height etc. Plus wind tunnel testing and Christ knows what else. It's just no longer possible to make a pure work of art.

[@VinderGroup3]

Yes agreed, you only have to look at the German 3, one chassis 2 bodies or slanting boot vs upright boot lid. All very boring

[@greensocks4507]

Always loved the XJ12 . Drove one a few years ago. Thanks for the video. Not sure if my low mileage '95 LS400 would compare on the elegance stakes but it would be just as quiet, if not quieter. Almost silent despite it's age. Happy to swap it for the Double six regardless.

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

@@grandmastarflash The problem is not so much the regulations and requirements to meet, the problem in car design (as in many many other branches of industrial production) is how the marketing and, even much worse, the controlling branch of any car manufacturer constantly commits lots of intrusive interference in the process of developing and prototyping. That in combination with the impertinently anti-technical personell in politics and legislation when it comes to environmental constraints makes cars to badge-engineered abominations of some sort these days. Bring back engineers into development and ban controllers into small lightless cubicles where they can count their beans afterwards, let the slightly off-railed geniuses like André Lefèbvre and Flaminio Bertoni (Citroën DS) do their work uninhibited and let the cocain-saturated marketing branch do nothing else than bloody sell what the engineers thought out and built before, and You get back a market full of very good, very distinguished and very different cars.

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

Harry’s Garage this morning and Tyrrell’s Classic Workshop now. What a splendid day 😁👌

[@terminal-velocity111]

One does agree 😀👏🏻

[@barriestevens9923]

Always a boost to the day when Ian or Harry post.

[@peterbullen3347]

Yes, these 2 are a lovely cuppa coffee and remembering all the cars I could not buy then, I felt the same on jay Leno when he did a review of a 1964 Bonneville, took me back to my youth.

[@ianmangham4570]

Daves shed and Gary's Patio for me.

[@tomruss3582]

Have worked on Jaguars for 45+ years and still learn something new everyday! That injector trick is simply ace. Our factory training always warned against applying too much voltage obviously, but that defib-type jolt makes complete sense. Also glad to hear you mention how fiddly those XJC quarter windows can be! Would love to see more Jag love on your channel! Cheers

[@abuhamza1970]

Lovely comment, thankyou. We don’t really make a song and dance about the stuff we produce(d) in this country and mores the pity. William Lyons design and Harry Mundy engine - what’s not to like? Two of the greatest car men that ever graced the face of this planet. My favourite would be the ‘80s Jag V12 with the pepper pot alloys 😁

[@kimperrone3639]

@@abuhamza1970 jhas

[@bobolulu7615]

@@abuhamza1970 Don't forget Wally Hassan and Claude Baily.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@abuhamza1970 - Actually the Jaguar V12 engine started out with the same unusual (for UK) over square 3.5" bore and 2.8" stroke as the 1950 - 2000 Buick/Olds/Rover all aluminum V8... 10:37 combustion chamber in piston top or cylinder bore was found to be inferior design in USA by mid 1960's... dropped by Ford and Chevy...

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Decades ago had an injector flooding the engine of my '79 Cadillac Seville (still have it) with fuel. Only 1 MPG !!! 20 gallons gone in 20 miles! Called Cadillac and they wanted $150 for a new injector, and the engine has 8 injectors: 8 x $150 = $1200... back when a dollar was worth something... so that idea left me... I removed the injector and blew compressed air through it backwards while a helper touched 12 volts to it... that fixed it and it is still fine now...

[@DarraghDelaney]

Was just watching top gear on BBC and it was not great. Saw this pop up on phone and no more Top Gear. This is a proper car show

[@stuartbrowning3074]

100% better, Top Gear is pointless, these days, (for anyone with a true interest in cars)!

[@cornishrider]

Top Gear is utter guff, all they can do is destroy things and inflate their egos!

[@campionoverbagh561]

I have a 1976 XJ6L with 28k original miles. Sable/cinnamon, always garaged. 😀

[@SonicPoetryIII]

This along with Jay Leno's garage and Harry's garage are the best car channels. Nothing but genuine passion.

[@jasonleedham5678]

I could see Jay buying that VP, original and unrestored, just the way he likes them

[@allanmacbadger5692]

Forget Harry's garage, just a poser.

[@newyorkerghazi]

100% correct

[@Derek-xr3uq]

@@allanmacbadger5692 how do you mean? Harry always seems like such a class act to me, plus he led me to Iain’s incredible knowledge, workshop and channel. I thoroughly enjoy watching them both.

[@Derek-xr3uq]

I’ve found the intimacy of Jay’s “pandemic edition” videos even more engaging and enjoyable. I hope the format carries on!

[@LynGriffiths70]

These videos are as relaxing as a head massage , imagine owning one of these in an age of Allegros, Vivas, Cortinas and rusty Italian stuff, owning a Jag really set you apart in the 70's.

[@francispalmer9737]

That twin headlight look with those curves still looks the part.

[@thomasfrank280]

Still the prettiest.

[@SparkyGage]

I like the fact that it has the larger outboard headlights. In the states we only got the series 1/2/3 with same size high and low lenses, but I've seen a few converted back to this style and I definitely it to be better look.

[@cosgraham534]

@@SparkyGage I didn't know that - that's interesting.

[@nomebear]

If only all of us could age with such grace and beauty, and still be a head turner.

[@SparkyGage]

@@cosgraham534 "Euro" headlight conversions on pre-85 cars are a popular modification over here. I think '85 was the first year flush headlamps without sealed beams became legal over here.

[@ydnallah1541]

This sums up the “grace, space and pace” mantra, I love an old xj. this shape was probably the best, the colour scheme and even vinyl roof look fab. A beautiful beast

[@borromeo50]

agree with everything in your comment, with one exception : the vinyl roof (a Jaguar is no longer a Jaguar when it tries to look like a Cadillac Eldorado)

[@iamthebroker]

I have to agree as well including the vinyl roof. I’d love a really nice v12 XJC and there is one currently for sale for $70k. It’s a lot although I seem them only continuing to rise so paying overs now doesn’t bother me. What bothers me is that this beautifully fully restored Jag was originally carriage brown with a black vinyl roof. It’s now sage green and no vinyl. It bothers me so much I can’t even consider it. Have to wait for another example that’s original and clean.

[@terminal-velocity111]

2 years on, I’m still drawn to watch and appreciate such a lovely British Car.

[@ranapennata]

Sir William Lyons' last and arguably greatest creation. Timeless design.

[@Draxindustries1]

Total rot boxes built down to a price to BL standards..

[@Roadwarrior92]

@@Draxindustries1 beautiful though

[@garethhanna9173]

Lyons also had input on the XJ40.

[@paulfitzgerald7513]

@@Draxindustries1 Most cars were in that period, name one that wasn’t if you want to be controversial!

[@Draxindustries1]

@@paulfitzgerald7513 Porsche

[@jean-pierrejrdubuc4912]

I worked at the dealership in the late 80s, I was 21, and totally fell for the brand. The smell and so refined, I love Jags. Thanks for your video, good memories.

[@JR-wu1fg]

My Dad had the XJ12c all through the 80's. Being the 80's the previous owner had fitted gold BBS wheels similar to the Mecedes 500sec. It was a fantastic car, I remember one memorable faimily holiday Sydney to Queensland where the exhaust developed a hole and Dad used 2 beer cans (no Australian jokes thank you) split length ways fitted around the pipe with a large amout of sealant and a jubilee clip at each end. My hero, it worked a treat, no problems for the rest of the trip. Although the sound of the V12 unmuffled was to this small child lots of fun. Dad used to race modsports E-types in the UK, when they were 'in period' ( I love Iains use of this term). When he had the the big XJ he was a company CEO so had to wear suites etc(he hated it) many times he would take me to school or on more that a few nights he would go 911 hunting :-). The look of some 911 driver looking behind him( why can't I see his headlights), all of sudden the flash wood pass them, see ya. Many great memories.

[@palhein-reim7430]

Tyrell’s workshop - the Oxford of automotive knowledge. The learned don always has a wry smile when he floors it.

[@ahmadfaisal6778]

This car is so beautiful. If I have to choose one car to live with, I would definitely pick this beautiful machine.

[@watchclog2979]

I remember going to the dealership with dad when he bought the jaguar sovereign v12. That engine

[@deanoallen5096]

Is a true piece of art, it really is.

[@williammorris1384]

What a dad !! Must be a great memory for you! Goodness me , he knew his stuff . Big respect ✊

[@vindaloovince2194]

Beautiful car!!

[@sayeager5559]

That coupe version at the end of the video is one of the prettiest cars of that era.

[@bradcollins9647]

No, not just pretty. This car is beautiful.

[@AxLWake]

You're God damned right!

[@JamesSmith-iz3pl]

This video brought back many happy memories of my XJ12C, sadly sold before coming to Australia. It was always an experience to drive. Just getting into the driver's seat and breathing in the heady concoction of leather and petrol used to fill me with anticipation. I was once at a garage filling her up - a regular occurrence - when an old American gentleman approach me from another pump and said he'd once taken one of these to 145mph! I didn't doubt him but was only brave enough to take mine to 120mph - the engine wasn't stressed but it felt like the wing mirrors were going to fly off! 😂

[@iluvbrownale]

Sunday afternoon, tv on in the parents retreat room, and gently falling asleep to bits of this and having to rewind and watch again. Marvellous.

[@thomaswykes3647]

My dad will have worked on that very car in 1977 at Browns Lane.

[@rocketn8]

Bloody good job he did too. Cheers

[@thomaswykes3647]

He saw all sorts of "specials" go down the line too. Tacky gold plated models with sheep skin/rug seats destined for Saudi Arabia and even one with tartan seats which one of the Bay City Rollers had ordered!

[@terminal-velocity111]

@@thomaswykes3647 My Dad was an experimental driver for BL. He was test driving this car on a test track (possibly Edge Hill). He told me that during the test, he was trying to destroy the break pads during heavy rain. Anyways, he had to abort the test as lighting was getting struck on the test track!

[@CoreyjGrieve]

I would of been at Allesley primary school looking over the factory as he worked on it.

[@djonfonsteen6331]

@@CoreyjGrieve I was 3 wondering when bod was on again. Now Its 2021... I'm saying sod off to the media show.. and now have a 1995 x300 xj6 sovereign. Happy days!!

[@johncollymore1697]

Fantastic video as always. As Iain Tyrrell so eloquently explains with his such knowledgeable commentary, the 1970's XJ Series were so refined, whilst combining a super ride and pretty good handling - magic Jaguar engineering. Shame BL didn't do them any favours at the time - so Mercedes went onto make a mint in the US market during this time, whilst Jaguar's reputation (for reliability and customer service) took a dive. Many thanks for demonstrating this so well Iain. Cheers.

[@2DogsVlogs]

The V12 also didn't do them any favours. Their oil issues were notorious and a lot were taken of the road as you can't sell a car with an oil leak in Queensland post 1980. There are still common interstate but the only ones I ever see are the 4.2. MB's are still very common, especially the 280 & 450 models. Guess they don't leak like Jags. My brother almost bought an1985 XJS in 1991 till he was informed it could never be registered unless the engine was rebuilt due to oil leaks. It only had 36k on the clock. The car-yard was planning to scrap it.

[@roberthayden1527]

@@2DogsVlogs Oil leak can be dealt with by a new crank seal upgrade. Not a weekend job but it can be done. I know because I've had it done. No more oil leaks.

[@longde]

@@2DogsVlogs the M116 and M117 mercedes v8 engines are bulletproof. Only certain M116 engines, with a single-row timing chain, can be troublesome but there's a workaround for that.

[@Clarkecars]

I own two 6.0 litres a `95 XJ 12 SWB and a `95 XJS cvt. I keep thinking I will sell one of them as I own a 2007 XJ8L and a 4X4 Cherokee I've owned over twenty plus years. However, whenever I take one of the V12s out for a drive I fall in love all over again. Perhaps I am just lucky but I've owned a 1988 XJ40 and a `67 XK-E type and all of my Jaguars have been reliable. Most issues with these cars can be traced to really simple maintenance issues such as making certain the main ground cable has good clean contacts that are free from galvanic corrosion and that the thermostats have "jiggle pins" to bleed air in the cooling system. Thank you for the presentation it was most enjoyable.

[@bikerman6907]

The V12 engine sings quite well in the Green/white TWR Jaguar Race Car @ Bathurst back in 1985👍😎

[@bikerman6907]

@Bill McQ you are so correct👍 it was the pre turbo era

[@VUO4E]

Yes! The perfect ending for the weekend... btw, don't hesitate to pronounce the "s" at the end of 'Plas'.

[@lewis72]

@Cool Ties Thanks !!! Many people, including me some years ago, thought it was more of a French pronunciation, where they never pronounce the last few letters of any word.

[@iamplasticmonkey8176]

Thank you for confirming what I had assumed all along. Glad I read your comment.

[@darthvincor]

The founder was called Guillaume van den Plas, which sounds like a French-speaking Belgian, so I suspect the s is indeed silent.

[@carsyoungtimerfreak1149]

Indeed, as far as I know vanden Plas was Flemish and thus the "s" should be pronounced.

[@VUO4E]

@@darthvincor things you need to know ; in Brussels a majority spoke dutch (flemish). Even dutch speaking parents gave french sounding names to their children, because nobility spoke french. In this case, the founder was a blacksmith...not exactly a baron. One of his sons was called Willy, a very atypical name for a french speaking person. Guillaume opened other workshops...in other flemish towns, not in the french speaking part of Belgium, Wallonia. Did I mention the family roots are Dutch (as in 'from the Netherlands')?. It's pretty safe to pronounce the 's'... :) but if you're more comfy saying 'pla', please do.

[@TheICCC]

I had a ride regularly as a boy in my grandfathers 4.2 of the same period. The view down the bonnet as the front of the car lifted on launch was amazing. His business partner had the coupe in black, both Daimler’s. Great memories.

[@-DC-]

Awesome car's used to drive a Daimler Sovereign 4.2 absolutely outstanding design 30 years on I don't think anything has matched it.

[@emporionaturalmixtaquara8314]

Such a elegant car of its time and still today as it turns heads. Cars these days have no character. The interior smell of an old Jaguar does it for me every time. This brings back memories of when i use to work in a carwash. After valeting the midnight blue Daimler Double Six, the owner said i could take it out for a spin. At eighteen years of age it was a dream come true as i drove it through Hoxton Market in London everyone looked at the roar of the Double Six. This car was for sale and the owner really wanted me to have it but unfortunately the insurance at the time was twice the value of the car. What a shame!! Still going to buy a Jaguar when i move back to the UK one day!!

[@italy4blktop]

THIS GUY IS GREAT, I SOLD JAGUAR CARS FOR 40 YEARS AND HE IS ON POINT ON ALL DETAILS, VERY IMPRESSIVE GUY. VERY IMPRESSIVE CAR.

[@rip4273]

One of the best youtube channels without any doubt. So much information presented in an excellent and friendly way

[@joindivision1090]

Watching a Tyrell video is like slipping into a warm bath

[@joindivision1090]

@Viktor Sligo never you mind about lowering into my strange territory!

[@flashman3962]

Excellent username.

[@patrickbrown3141]

you make the best video's on you tube!!!!! keep'em coming!!!!

[@garethheap4745]

I have to be honest I’m not a car person. But this channel is so good. I’ve learnt so much from Iain, the information, stories and history are fascinating. Thank you! Keep up the amazing work!

[@johndavey72]

Iain. You've made my day! l've been desperate for you to feature this jewel since l first glimpsed it . l trained on these (body/paint) and remember seeing the series 1 Double Six VDP retailing for over £10k ! 1973 . In my humble opinion the finest car ever ! I had 3 XJ 6's and 1 XJS V12 . I called that one the elastic band ! Thank you so much !

[@slartybartfarst9737]

Had that engine in 5.3 XJS, 100 mph in 1st only 3 speed auto but thats all it needed.. Worked in Jaguar Radford engine plant when the 12s were in production. What an engine, unreal.

[@federicomalignani4957]

These Jags are beautiful. My dad had an XJ6 4,2,and I really loved her for one reason: on Sunday evening he used to bring me to the college after the weekend at home.The college was about 120 kms from home,so he used to drive for about 80 kms on the autostrada,and generally the Jag had troubles and remained dead in the service area.So he had to call for a taxi and with that we went back home,and I was loosing Monday morning at school. Infact on Monday morning he took me back to the college with the reliable Range Rover....This happened three times. But there was a reason: my father bought the car after selling a fantastic Maserati Mexico,and was waiting for the XJ 12 to be available in the italian market,but meanwhile there was the Kippur war,the oil crisis,and so he thought it was not a good idea to buy the V12,and he put the 4,2 in storage for about 18 months. When he decided to use her again,the problems spread out and probably the dealer did not made the proper service before sending her on the road again....For my dad those were the years of british cars parenthesis,before returning to italian cars. He loved british cars,in 1963 he owned an E type 3,8,drop head.

[@IAN1000IAN]

I could watch Ian all day , a craftsman that are hard to find these days.

[@arronjones6985]

That rear window!!! Was not expecting it to operate quite like that. Its like it went to finishing school. 😁

[@williammorris1384]

It’s great to watch , isn’t it ?! I had a Mercedes CLK that had a technically similar pillar less window design , with the wavy rear window retraction , but this was a 2004 car ! In a 1970’s jag , just magnificent!

[@jamesdurward866]

My geography teacher had a blue double six - he’d drive it whilst smoking a pipe. Also had the tweed sports jacket with leather elbow patches. What a dude that man was.

[@johntechwriter]

My independent Jaguar maintenance shop here in Oakland CA struggled for years to get the V12s through California’s stringent smog test. About five years ago they gave up. And that spelled the end of the road for many early XJs and XJSs which in other respects had held up very nicely in California’s benign climate.

[@georgek.papafilippou2583]

The beauty and the elegant styling of a car like this is unparalleled even by all modern standards. Thank you Iain for videos like this!

[@tommysmith5479]

Forget the super cars.... this is what I want.

[@Laz_Arus]

"It's just bringing everything out of its slumber". Sounds like me on most mornings now! I had a pre-loved Series 1 4.2 XJ6 here in OZ in the late 70's, and it was my first experience of how a saloon car could ride if engineered correctly. It wasn't the most reliable of cars and I sold it to a friend who later stripped it down and fixed all the niggles. I still have the Jaguar lust from all those years ago.

[@chrisb3989]

Iain it is a privilege to watch you work. If ever I need a heart pacemaker I want you to tune it.

[@sheumais63]

Dad had dreamed of owning a Jag for years and it finally arrived on 31st July 1975. It looked lovely, even in mustard yellow with green velour interior, but good old Brtiish Leyland didn't bother too much with detail at the time and the rear axle was squint. One wheel was half an inch in front of the other, so it wore out a set of rear tyres in weeks and the car hopped as it tried to straighten itself on the road. The dealers didn't offer to fix it, they solved the problem by providing replacement tyres free when needed. Good old British Leyland, great designs, thrown together.

[@robertcook2572]

Daimler Double Six. Has a car ever had a more mellifluous name?

[@cosgraham534]

And the name goes right back to the 1920s

[@MoultrieGeek]

I'll see your mellifluous and raise you a melodious.

[@gordonlamb6034]

Thank you Robert for introducing me to a new word

[@10kamala]

...only when you add the word coupe to the end! My Dad had 2 double six coupes in the eighties. Still my favourite car and the only one which beats the Jensen Interceptor. Opinion, of course!

[@cornishrider]

Like the Super Eight in the 2000's!

[@-DC-]

Haven't driven one of those in 30 years absolutely incredible car this entire xj generation was something special.

[@paulbuckberry7683]

I had to comment on this................in the early 80’s, my boss had a Daimler Sovereign, which I believe was a 4.2 straight six. It was almost identical body style to the one in your video. It was chocolate brown with a dark brown vinyl roof...........absolutely beautiful. My work mate, at the same company, couldn’t be left out so bought a Jag XJ6, which was I believe, exactly the same engine/ car, without all the trim. Anyhow, I was fortunate enough to drive the Jag back from Oxford to South Lincolnshire, whilst returning form my mates parents house in Bournemouth, not a 5 minute journey in those days. I still remember how luxurious and smooth that car was. The cockpit was/is a classic, how could you not appreciate and love the lines of these beauties!! Thank you for bringing that memory back sir!!

[@azizhachimi8744]

Tyrrell’s Classic Workshop is on par if not better than Harry’s Garage: the composed attitude of Tyrell and his downy voice makes his videos a blessing!

[@jimclarke1108]

I owned a Daimler Double six series 3, back in the day, loved it, excellent ride, smooth, quiet, strong acceleration from idle to 6.500 RPM ))

[@SampleTracks2224]

I read somewhere - and I don't know if it's true but I can believe it - that the engine was capable of being revved well beyond 8,000 rpm without shattering, and would have if Jaguar hadn't fitted softer springs to aid fuel economy and low-rpm smoothness, that bounced at around 7,500 rpm if you removed the rev limiting rotor. However that would have meant valve-to-piston contact, which would lead to another kind of explosion!

[@antongutierrez9885]

Its 3am where I am and it looks like I'm staying up to finish this new episode 🤣

[@alexbrown1995]

Glorious, just glorious!

[@OrnumCR]

I just sold my Daimler Double Six Vanden Plas after many years of enjoyment and reliable motoring. Wonderful car. Mine was 1974 build on carburettors...

[@CreosoteChris]

I remember seeinng these occasionally - as a kid riding around town on my bike. Even then, in my early teens, the "Double-Six" badge had a cachet of dreamy, exotic sophistication. Thanks for reminding me of those days, Ian - and for being (easily) my #1 fave KZbin channel. Spot on.

[@iseeolly9959]

You should write poetry mate! Cheers x

[@FelixIsMyName]

My dad use to have a Daimler Double Six VP when I was young, always loved the shape of the series 2 XJ. I would love to own one, one day.

[@jackroutledge352]

Well they’re pretty cheap for what they are - save up and you can have one! The problem isn’t the purchase price of course - it’s the maintenance. I have one (a double six, but not the vdp), and I spend at least 10 times as much time fixing it as I do driving it. Lots of fun either way though.

[@FelixIsMyName]

@@jackroutledge352 If memory serves me right, you're lucky to get 3 MPG out of a double six? Dad spent years restoring his, which was a bronze colour. I adored the smell of it inside. It started my love for Jaguar and while I could get one, you're correct that the running costs make it a hard ask for me to take on, as it would be my only car.

[@JasonLambek]

When I was a kid growing up in Ohio, (don't ask), I was strangely fond of a neighbor of mine’s V12 Jaguar. I wasn't but 11 or 12 years old but remember riding my wanna be bmx bike by it over and over and being really taken with it. It's fantastic, all these years later, being acquainted with it again; I'm more impressed with it now knowing a bit more. Fantastic channel. I recommend it often to colleagues and friends. Cheers.

[@Sedge63]

My Dad had a Daimler Sovereign. Brought back some memories. Another "can't put it down" episode.

[@stringer-ik1pc]

I had one of these in the 1980s, WPE111M, in metallic blue it had 4 strombergs and did about 8mpg.The roof on the vanden Plas was ever flex not vinyl. Loved this.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Probably needed a tune up... like this one did...

[@andrewshaw1440]

So refreshing to enjoy a knowledgeable, intelligent,interesting,really nice guy talk about cars, so much better then the brash opinionated drivel we have endured on our TV screens in recent years, well done Iain, and thank you.

[@timboharty7325]

Was lucky enough to have done my apprenticeship with a Jaguar specialist and spent countless hour after work hours playing with jags , my boss has a Daimler double six , and I’ve owned many series 2s &3s , my favourite being a series 2 XJ 4.2 coupe Fantastic channel , probably one of the best on KZbin

[@Sleepy.Time.]

thank you for taking the time to share these rolling works of art with us

[@rogerbyrne9040]

Just shows British engineering can't be beaten. I'll take the coupe just have it polished and delivered to my house!

[@JohnDavis-ed5sg]

Well that is very interesting about the metallic paint - I remember those Blue Mink or Silver Fords of the late sixties used to go dull in a year or two, I never knew why. Just another nugget of (shiny!) gold from this great channel.

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

Single stage enamel paint but the non metallic ones were good because there was no peeling off clearcoat.

[@nomebear]

The color was "moon dust", a metallic paint that failed quiet early in the life of the car. In an effort to keep it looking nice I ruined it. Within two years of purchase the car was repainted with a Dupont manufactured paint that was similar color, seemed to hold up better.

[@whitedog1]

I had the distinct pleasure to own a 1973 LWB VDP version while living in Sydney 1998-2000. It had only 48k miles when I bought it from the original owner, an 80yr. old accountant on the Northern Beaches area who drove it the two miles to work and back. EVEN though I am American, I have owned numerous British cars since learning to drive, my first was a 1966 Austin Healey and my last was a 1994 LWB Range Rover, bought in 2000; it was my daily driver for 12yrs. I've owned a slew of Rover and Rover cars and have driven everything from Jaguar XKE six and v12s, Lotus Europas, Minis, TR6's and on and on. I go to this length of citing these cars because the Daimler was in a class all by itself. First, it was in pristine condition mechanically and cosmetically (BRG, black interior. The most amazing thing about this car? That it had balanced handling that came alive at high speed. I use to take the approach ramp from Neutral Bay to the Sydney Harbour Bridge doing 80mph around the curved section of the ramp. I could easily 'steer' the car using the throttle to gently bring the rear end of the car in or out at speed around that curve. Driving at 100mph on freeways was a stroll. I paid AUD$10k, which with the lowest exchange rate ever meant I spent just under USD$5k. I regrettably sold it for AUD$5k when I left Sydney, a decision I soo regret even to this day. No experience of climbing into a car, driving it, owning it, has ever equaled it.

[@earltpt]

A friend of my Dad gave me a lift to school in one when I was a lad of 15 circa 1973.....omg...I can still remember the sensation of effortless power and refinement ! We had a VW beetle 😂

[@Deftonesdsm]

Sampson Boat Co. , Tyrrells classic cars, and great race from Aarava today it was a great day on youtube. Now just waiting for Leno's garage later 2nite Lexus LS400s are some of the most reliable nice cars ever. Yota knew what they are doing in the 90s

[@Countach100]

The floor of his garage is cleaner than the floor of my kitchen. That is refined.

[@jensenhealey907efi]

In the past I have owned and driven a 1976 XJ12C (5.3L with the Turbo400 transmission) and a 1994 XJ12 (6.0L with the 4L80E transmission) and they were both really wonderful cars to drive. I recall in the mid-2000's driving the 1994 XJ12 four door saloon across the USA and it was a real pleasure to use it for long road trips like that. A friend has a V12 XJS with a Tremec 5 speed transmission and being able to drive one f these V12 engines with a manual transmission behind it is a real revelation.

[@kb9072]

As a 6/7 year old I had I short ride in a 5.3 V12 Jaguar. My Mum was ill so I got sent to stay with my Nan who lived in Fulham. My Dad was working as a chauffeur. His usual car that he drove was a Volvo his own car being an Austin 1100. On one particular day he got a job that required a Jaguar. He must of told the 3 Arab gents about my love of Jaguar's and they insisted they pick me up as I was only a short distance away. So I got woken up to come out in my pj's and go for a ride. I remember it was whisper quiet even at speed. I'm 51years old and still to this day is the best car I've been in.

[@lami150sx]

Not enough videos best channel on KZbin please keep them coming

[@silvermovermedia9737]

My boss had the Daimler Double Six Coupe, back in 1982, a fantastic car.

[@8000Christopher]

Thanks for the video, lovely. I have two Jags, a 1983 Series 3 XJ6, the standard model. Lovely automobile, so smooth and quiet, and in excellent condition, and I have a 1988 XJS V12 coupe, also a lovely auto. It is also in good condition. My only wish for these cars is that they would have had 4 speed automatic transmissions, it would have really helped in the general driving performance of the autos.

[@arthuralford]

Every time I watch Iain fix a car, I learn something. The injector trick? I'd never have thought of it

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Well decades ago had an injector flooding the engine of my '79 Cadillac Seville (still have it) with fuel. Only 1 MPG !!! 20 gallons gone in 20 miles! Called Cadillac and they wanted $150 for a new injector, and the engine has 8 injectors: 8 x $150 = $1200... back when a dollar was worth something... so that idea left me... I removed the injector and blew compressed air through it backwards while a helper touched 12 volts to it... that fixed it and it is still fine now...

[@marcinmajewski8494]

I just love how you talk about cars :) And big kudos for being such a good doctor for them. I keep waiting impatiently for more episodes.

[@websurfer1585]

I've always loved these cars, and this is easily the most stunning example I've ever seen by far, absolutely gorgeous.

[@troydbarney]

Too much time between content. Always looking forward to more. Thank you Iain. Consummate professional.

[@pw4444]

Hi Iain.Its Pete Windsor,great channel sorry it took me so long to subscribe.You obviously never lost your passion for classic British cars great to see my friend .Take care.👍

[@johnnyonenote376]

Ah, the cars of my youth...used to love seeing a Daimler Double-Six gliding down the road as a teenager... this one still looking beautifully elegant in 2020. Thanks for another informative video Iain, much appreciated.

[@G4RY1159]

Extremely difficult not to think of Arthur Daley while looking at the Jag, the late George Cole

[@ericpisch2732]

He had two Daimler double six’s

[@andicog]

George Cole actually bought one of the Jaguars from the show, it was later raffled by the TV or Radio Times and Jaguar gave him a discount on a new one to replace it , in the later episodes he drove an XJ/12 before switching to an XJ/40 . In later life he had an X type. Edward woodwood also drove a Jaguar XJ in the equaliser and XJ's featured in rock band whitesnakes video for 'Here I go again'

[@MLB9000]

And let’s not forget the Equalizer!

[@andicog]

@@MLB9000 I did mention the Equaliser...

[@G4RY1159]

@@MLB9000 Another show I never missed 👍

[@113036stat]

Brilliant commemtary thank you!!

[@davidburne9477]

So, I’m 15 and working in a legal practice as a ‘junior’ in my school summer holidays. The boss needs to go up to his stately home in the Adelaide Hills to get some boxes of files, so we head off into the twisties, with the top down, in his green V12 E-Type. Oh, glory me! Never fails to make me smile.

[@MrBrianc1975]

Xj is the best looking most elegant saloon car bar none in my opinion. I've got an x308 and love it.

[@melanieraphael5144]

Brilliant! Love the passion for these cars that you exude Iain. All so interesting and so well done!! Thank you

[@bajabell]

My father had a Double Six two door coupe in 1977 ....... Such a wonderful car in metallic copper with XJS wheels. I was just 17 and had my first car which was a mighty 1200cc 1964 VW Beetle !!!!! ....... I remember Dad passing me on the old A3 at Wisley Lake, I was at full speed at around 65mph and he whistled by like a rocket. He later told me he was doing well over 100mph ........ Love you Dad .... R.I.S. ( rest in speed ) xxx

[@Sami-lx7mf]

My late father had a 1987 XJS HE V12 a wonderful automobile with character. Thanks for those nuggets of knowledge and insight.

[@stuartstephens]

The Jaguars sedan (and in particular the coupe), were beautifully designed. However, to be fair General Motors had a very good automatic air conditioning system available across most of its brands starting in the mid 1960s. I remember a 1966 Pontiac Bonneville owned by a family friend that had it.

[@MBSLC]

Indeed! My 1968 Cadillac Coupe DeVille was so equipped.

[@rocketsock4297]

😍Delicious color!

[@mrcogginsgarage7062]

Allways a pleasure to listen to someone,who really knows what he's talking about Thankyou very much .

[@mhz9003]

Oh man. When I was in my teens, my dad had a series 2 xj6 4.2 and our neighbour had a series 1 Daimler Double 6. I just love this era of luxury cars.

[@iamplasticmonkey8176]

What a pure delight watching those video's Mr. Tyrell.

[@stephen9869]

When Jags still had style and charm, like our esteemed presenter! I'd be really interetseted to see a *Bristol Blenheim or Brigand* featured and driven on a show such as this.

[@andrewbragger2679]

The new xj has style and charm my friend. You've overlooked it....

[@peterbullen3347]

When I watch these KZbin videos on old jags and other cars of the 60s and 70s it fills me with some sadness, in the mid 70s I had a summer job from school working in a scrap yard, we used to strip all the brass and copper from these old cars... These cars had loads of it. Imagine all the window trims that were destroyed. :(

[@31Macdog]

That rear number plate brought back some memories of my childhood in the late 70's early 80's, my Dad (BL/Austin worker @ Longbridge) always used the Patrick motors petrol station across the road from Longbridge Train Station. Remember going into the parts store next door owned by the same company, and they had a museum in Kings Norton, (Lifford lane?)where PMG displayed their cars.

[@bubbly754]

They rolled a Double Six with that one.

[@belchnasty]

I saw what you did there...

[@Laz_Arus]

@Bubbly754 ... Your comment entitles you to another throw of a dad joke 😁

[@MLB9000]

Laz Arus crap humour?

[@sixtring73]

What a beauty! Love the trick with the lazy injectors, I'll remember that!

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Yessir, decades ago had an injector flooding the engine of my '79 Cadillac Seville (still have it) with fuel. Only 1 MPG !!! 20 gallons gone in 20 miles! Called Cadillac and they wanted $150 for a new injector, and the engine has 8 injectors: 8 x $150 = $1200... back when a dollar was worth something... so that idea left me... I removed the injector and blew compressed air through it backwards while a helper touched 12 volts to it... that fixed it and it is still fine now...

[@jeremytoms5163]

Remember working at a garage in Mayfair (installing heating) and they had an E-Type in for a service. The mechanic servicing it must have been in his late 50s at that time. Anyway he started it up and everyone in the garage was just watching this beautiful machine and listening to the sound. Best thing he did though was sit a cup of water on the rocker cover. He reckoned that when the water stopped shaking, the carbs were in balance. Crazy, engine purring away, not a ripple in the water. Loved Jags ever since. Just wish I could afford one.

[@martinvasquenzo3450]

This car channel.....absolute brilliance

[@davedavey5]

Harry ....then this !!!😀....excellent 👏

[@farmerlamb2372]

46 years ago today my mum was taken to her wedding in a XJ12 in 1974, car is still owned by her childhood friend's husband, 40k miles, he let me drive it last year! he also bought a Range Rover at the same time!

[@wilburchubs]

My 1974 XJ12 arrives on Monday :D

[@Mr.Higginbotham]

#19 Jaguar/Daimler Iron Fist in a Silk glove. V12 power in a legendary refined beauty. Looks to me like there is some armor over that silk glove but that's me. I'm in for the adventure! The Vanden Plas Double Six ladies and gentlemen.

[@christopherprose3881]

The car only needed two things to make it perfect. 1. Lose the vinyl roof. 2. Redesign the engine to minimize the visual impact of all those fuel lines. A V-12 should be a thing of beauty but the one in this car just didn't look the part. It looks like some engines do when they are being disassembled for repairs. The body is a classic design, good proportions and the greenhouse just has a great shape, especially the graceful haunch just past the C-pillar. Always liked both the headlight and taillights and the way the reverse lights were placed along the horizontal chrome trim on the trunk lid. The gas caps in the back, also finished in chrome, had a great jewel-like quality to them. Great video! You really know your craft and it would be great just to walk around your garage for the day. Any day.