1966 Daimler 250

A quick look at the car’s original ‘buff’ logbook reveals that the first owner rejoiced in the magnificent name of Princess Mary Elizabeth Dulcibel Galitzine, having taken her title and surname from her second husband, the son of a Russian Prince.

Before him, she’d been married to a mere Baronet, Sir Joseph Herbert Spens Fayrer.

The penultimate owner, who was a professional DJ, bought the car in 1999 and used it as her occasional transport to and from gigs around the UK ever since.

In 2006, the odometer read 60,000 miles. Today, the mileage is 70,000. 

It seems safe to assume that this fine old car has been living a pretty sedentary life over at least the last two decades. The vendor is reluctantly selling due to ill health.

We understand that the car has appeared on the silver screen on one occasion and has also graced a record cover.

In 2014 the previous owner embarked upon a significant restoration of the car and spent around £10,000 with the Iliffe Body Centre of Market Harborough addressing the car’s bodywork issues, having new panels welded in, and tackling any corrosion. 

The car was resprayed at that time in the splendid shade of green you see today. 

The undersides of the car tell us that the car was blue in a previous life.

In 2017 the car made its way to Brownings Garage, London WC1, where the cylinder heads were removed and all manner of skimming, adjusting, fettling and honing ensued in the pursuit of getting the engine fighting fit once more. This work came at a cost of over £4,000 and also included overhauling the brakes.

Much mechanical fettling was carried out by marque specialist Marcus Barclay in July 2024, and the results of that can be experienced first-hand in the way the car drives and performs.

It starts on the button, progresses with the smooth and quiet characteristics rightly associated with this legendary engine, and handles with plenty of balance, poise and predictability.

In terms of overall condition, the car is telling two distinct but equally compelling stories. 

The exterior is really very good indeed and is clearly that of a car that has been restored to a very high standard. 

The interior is restored in some places and very much unrestored in others, where the patina is moving into the territory of needing some remedial attention here and there. 

The car presents very handsomely all round and is a fine-looking example of the model and, indeed, the marque.

It really does look good and the 2014 respray has retained plenty of lustre and depth of shine.

Aside from the odd light swirly scratch on the rear bumper, the chrome-work has held up very well in general and is free of any significant foxing, pitting or tarnishing.

The chrome hub caps on the offside have weathered the vicissitudes of time and use with slightly more fortitude than their than their counterparts on the nearside.

All wheels are showing a little pitting around the rims.

The matching Vredestein Classic tyres look decent, but are rather too long-in-the-tooth.

The bodywork is reassuringly devoid of any dinks, dents or creases of consequence and the panel gaps and shut-lines are at least as good as they would have been when it left the factory.

There are some chips to the paint on the nearside wheel-arches and a split in the paint below the windscreen.

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all in good order.

When you first set eyes upon the interior your gaze will be greeted by two different visual narratives: one very good, the other very original.

The door cards are splendid and look newly refurbished or replaced.

The wood on the dashboard and door cappings is equally impressive and is largely beyond any sort of critical reproach.

But then you turn your attention to the upholstery, carpets and fabric trim, all of which is in very original, unrestored condition.

There was a large rip in the front passenger seat squab, which has been repaired with some, but not complete, success. The rest of the upholstery is exhibiting levels of wear that go some way beyond patina and, in places, into the arena of dilapidation.

That said, we think the attentions of a professional leather restorer would go a long way towards improving matters and the condition of the upholstery is by no means beyond redemption.

The carpets are rather faded, worn and tired; the headlining is holed and stained; the parcel shelf is rather out of shape; and the fabric trim around the doors is, variously, worn, torn, loose or otherwise deviating from good order. 

Again, though, there’s a lot that can be done to improve matters without breaking the bank or committing yourself to months of gruelling labour.

The instruments, controls, knobs, switches and dials look good and, as far as we’re aware, everything does what it’s supposed to do.

The vendor tells us that he has had some trouble with the indicators and, to this end, he sourced a replacement indicator stalk and attendant electrics. These have yet to be fitted, but come with the car.

The boot looks solid and intact. It contains a spare wheel and some spare parts – mainly replacement gaskets. 

The engine bay is reassuringly clean, dry and tidy. 

It looks very authentic and original to us.

The car’s undersides appear to be possessed of a good amount of structural integrity and don’t look to have deteriorated in any way since the major restoration of 2014.

Nothing we’ve seen has given us any reason to tut, frown or otherwise doubt the vehicle’s structural or mechanical integrity.

This car comes with various bills, invoices and receipts attesting to work carried out during the vendor’s tenure and curation.

There are photographs of the car being restored in 2014, plenty of old MoT certificates, some manuals and guidebooks, a V5C, and a recent HPI report.

It comes with an MoT certificate – with no advisories whatsoever – that’s valid until 28th May 2026. 

The good news with this car is that other people have done most of the heavy lifting responsible for achieving its current good condition and ensuring that it stays that way.

The car is a pleasure to drive and performs reliably, consistently and with all the legendary smoothness for which it was famed back in the day. 

As the car’s lucky next owner, you will have the choice of leaving the interior in the warm and very much lived-in condition it has today, or embarking upon a programme of restoration with a view to reclaiming some, most or all of its former glory.

Either way, you’ll have a very fine and mechanically sorted classic to enjoy for many years to come.

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £8,000 - £12,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.