Daimler

The Daimler Sovereign was unveiled in October 1966 at the London Motor Show, alongside its close relative, the Jaguar 420. Both cars were evolutions of the earlier Jaguar S-Type, but with updated styling - most notably a new front end that echoed the look of the larger Jaguar Mark X. While mechanically almost identical to the 420, the Daimler Sovereign was positioned slightly differently in the market. It featured a more formal grille and upscale interior detailing, giving it a more conservative, executive image. The Jaguar 420, in contrast, was marketed toward a younger and sportier audience, continuing Jaguar’s tradition of performance-oriented saloons.

See also: Jaguar S-Type, 420

In 1968, Jaguar launched the new XJ series, which would go on to become the brand’s flagship saloon range. The most luxurious versions were sold under the Daimler Sovereign nameplate. These models were distinguished by subtle styling changes, a fluted grille, and higher-spec interiors, but were mechanically identical to their Jaguar counterparts. When Jaguar introduced its new 5.3-litre V12 engine in 1972, the top-tier Daimler variant was renamed Double-Six, a reference to Daimler’s historic 12-cylinder models of the 1920s and 1930s.

See also: Jaguar XJ-series

In late 1973, Jaguar introduced the Series II version of the XJ range, including the Daimler Sovereign and Double-Six models. The most noticeable visual change was the repositioning of the bumpers, which were mounted significantly higher to comply with new US safety regulations. As a result, the front grille became smaller, and an additional air intake was added below the bumper to maintain adequate cooling.