1981 Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Series III Saloon

Jaguar/Daimler launched its final version of the original XJ6 family in 1979, the Jaguar XJ6 and Daimler Sovereign Series III. Jaguar commissioned Pininfarina to restyle the new Series III and give a more modern look to the now eleven year old design. The Series III had an increased glass area and much cleaner lines than the old Series II cars. The front had a slimmer grille, one piece rubber faced bumper and the rear had larger tail lights and matching bumper. The Series III came with only the 4.2 litre XK engine with either manual or automatic gearbox options, the smaller 3.4 litre option was no longer offered. The 4.2 engine had slightly more power than the previous car thanks to fuel injection. Following the appointment of John Egan in the early 80's Jaguar began to recover the credibility that it lost in the British Leyland days and quality started to improve.

If ever there was a car associated with the second-hand car trade then this surely has to be it, this is none other than the very car used in the popular ITV series 'Minder,' driven extensively by both Arthur (George Cole) and Terry (Dennis Waterman) from series' 4 to 6 and also featured in two Christmas specials 'Around The Corner' in 1984 and 'The Orient Express' in 1985. We are informed by the vendor that the registration number used in TV filming DYO 979V was actually a dummy plate and is not the real registration for the car, originally registered on the 15/10/81 the car carries its original Coventry registration number of VDU 342X. More information about Minder and the cars used can be found at www.minder.org.

We are informed by the vendor that George Cole nearly bought the car himself back in 1985 but it was eventually decided to give the car away in a TV Times competition. Included in the history file is a picture of George Cole on the TV Times cover dangling the original car keys promoting the competition.

Finished in yellow, its official colour name was actually Portland Beige, the car was subject to sympathetic bodywork restoration 1986/1987 and is blemish free with no signs of corrosion, not even on the vulnerable rear wheel arches and the car has never been welded. The doors shut with a reassuring thunk and there are no signs of bubbling on the lower edges. The Portland Beige paintwork really is in superb order throughout.

We are told the engine runs well with with no nasty knocks, rattles or smoke and the auto gearbox changes gear smoothly and without noise, however a service would be advised due to how long this car has been off the road. For comfort and practical performance there's little to beat these cars, characteristically of the marque, the steering is light but fairly precise, and the ride compliant without being wallowy. The vendor informs us of a speedo change when the car was still under warranty at around the 9000 mile mark and there are old MOT style certificates dating back to 1993 at which point the mileage was 33677.

If you're a 'Minder' fan then this is the ultimate car to own and a once in a lifetime chance to own a piece of TV history, sold with a Heritage Certificate and a new MOT and 6 months tax the car is complete with its original dealer hand pack including service book, various bills and receipts and its original set of keys. VDU 342X has not been seen in public for nearly 12 years and as such this is a unique opportunity to own a genuine piece of TV history.