Daimler - Majestic Major DR450 Limousine - 1962





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Daimler Majestic Major DR450 Limousine, 1962, left-hand drive, one of about 800 produced, with a 4.5 L V8 petrol engine, automatic transmission, grey exterior, 220 hp, 77,400 km, Italian registration and Heritage Certificate confirming matching numbers and original colours.
Description from the seller
IN HIGHLIGHT:
• One of only 800 Limousine DR450 produced and one of about 20 survivors with left-hand drive
• The unique one delivered new in Italy in 1962 (Ditta Mellin of Milan)
• Retains the original 1962 Milan black plates and the original multi-page logbook
• Equipped with the 4.5-liter V8 engine designed by Edward Turner
• Supplied with Heritage Certificate confirming matching numbers, original colors, and Italy destination
STORY/PANORAMA:
The Daimler Majestic Major Limousine (DR450), produced in about 800 units, represents the last flagship model and the apex of the Daimler brand before it was acquired by Jaguar. Compared to the standard version (DQ450), the Limousine DR450 featured an exceptionally spacious rear cabin with an electric division window, burl wood tables, and pop-up/hidden additional seats. Under the hood beats the powerful 4.5-liter all-iron-and-aluminium V8 designed by Edward Turner, paired with a Borg-Warner automatic transmission and a four-wheel-disc braking system.
This example is the only one sold new in Italy in 1962 to Ditta Mellin of Milan. It subsequently spent time in Switzerland and Hong Kong, before being re-purchased by a British auction house and returning to Italy. Because it had never been deregistered, it was re-registered while retaining its original 1962 Milan black plates and the original multi-page logbook. It has just passed its periodic inspection, with a regular result valid until September 2028.
BODYWORK/PAINTWORK:
The bodywork presents in the original two-tone color combination of light gray and dark gray. Some imperfections and small bubbles are visible in the paint. The rubber window seals are partly cracked from age, while the chrome trim is mostly well-preserved and in order.
INTERIOR:
The cabin remains in a noteworthy state of originality. The upholstery features the period configuration with leather in the front seats and wool cloth in the rear compartment, in excellent condition with minimal and typical signs of use. The dashboard and door wood veneers show light superficial cracking. The electric partition window between the driver’s area and the rear compartment is perfectly functional, as are the pop-up rear seats, the sun visors, and the interior courtesy lights.
MECHANICS:
The 4.5-liter V8 starts immediately and runs smoothly, maintaining good oil pressure as indicated by the gauge on the dashboard. The Borg-Warner automatic transmission and the braking system operate correctly. The exhaust system is noisy and requires repair or replacement of some components. The tires are of the original size and type but are not recently installed.
DOCUMENTS:
The car is supplied with extensive historically tracked documentation including:
• Original 1962 two-page registration book and new European-format registration document (inspection valid until 09/2028)
• Heritage Certificate confirming all chassis and engine numbers, original colors, and delivery to Italy
• Documentation of the ownership history
• Original owner’s manuals and maintenance supplements
• Two keys, onboard tools, and spare wheel
• Old ASI registration and a copy of an English magazine featuring a dedicated article on this specific example
IN HIGHLIGHT:
• One of only 800 Limousine DR450 produced and one of about 20 survivors with left-hand drive
• The unique one delivered new in Italy in 1962 (Ditta Mellin of Milan)
• Retains the original 1962 Milan black plates and the original multi-page logbook
• Equipped with the 4.5-liter V8 engine designed by Edward Turner
• Supplied with Heritage Certificate confirming matching numbers, original colors, and Italy destination
STORY/PANORAMA:
The Daimler Majestic Major Limousine (DR450), produced in about 800 units, represents the last flagship model and the apex of the Daimler brand before it was acquired by Jaguar. Compared to the standard version (DQ450), the Limousine DR450 featured an exceptionally spacious rear cabin with an electric division window, burl wood tables, and pop-up/hidden additional seats. Under the hood beats the powerful 4.5-liter all-iron-and-aluminium V8 designed by Edward Turner, paired with a Borg-Warner automatic transmission and a four-wheel-disc braking system.
This example is the only one sold new in Italy in 1962 to Ditta Mellin of Milan. It subsequently spent time in Switzerland and Hong Kong, before being re-purchased by a British auction house and returning to Italy. Because it had never been deregistered, it was re-registered while retaining its original 1962 Milan black plates and the original multi-page logbook. It has just passed its periodic inspection, with a regular result valid until September 2028.
BODYWORK/PAINTWORK:
The bodywork presents in the original two-tone color combination of light gray and dark gray. Some imperfections and small bubbles are visible in the paint. The rubber window seals are partly cracked from age, while the chrome trim is mostly well-preserved and in order.
INTERIOR:
The cabin remains in a noteworthy state of originality. The upholstery features the period configuration with leather in the front seats and wool cloth in the rear compartment, in excellent condition with minimal and typical signs of use. The dashboard and door wood veneers show light superficial cracking. The electric partition window between the driver’s area and the rear compartment is perfectly functional, as are the pop-up rear seats, the sun visors, and the interior courtesy lights.
MECHANICS:
The 4.5-liter V8 starts immediately and runs smoothly, maintaining good oil pressure as indicated by the gauge on the dashboard. The Borg-Warner automatic transmission and the braking system operate correctly. The exhaust system is noisy and requires repair or replacement of some components. The tires are of the original size and type but are not recently installed.
DOCUMENTS:
The car is supplied with extensive historically tracked documentation including:
• Original 1962 two-page registration book and new European-format registration document (inspection valid until 09/2028)
• Heritage Certificate confirming all chassis and engine numbers, original colors, and delivery to Italy
• Documentation of the ownership history
• Original owner’s manuals and maintenance supplements
• Two keys, onboard tools, and spare wheel
• Old ASI registration and a copy of an English magazine featuring a dedicated article on this specific example
Details
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Catawiki always aims to offer you the best possible buying experience. Our experts virtually review and select every vehicle in line with our submission guidelines and we require our sellers to provide the most accurate description of the vehicle. However, providing a fully detailed analysis of the vehicle is extremely difficult, and close to impossible. To guide you, we ask our sellers to provide information about the vehicle’s condition. Please consider that most vehicles for sale are classic vehicles and they often already have a whole life behind them, meaning that even a condition 1 or 2 vehicle might need maintenance to be ready for the road. It is advised to carefully read our submission guidelines that further describe details about the condition grades and types to manage your expectations. Cars are sold “as is”, meaning as described and in the condition they are in at the time of the sale and without any representation, warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to the condition by Catawiki or by the seller. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from yours, your local garage, or the dealer’s opinion. This does not automatically mean the car does not conform to its description. Before bidding, please check your local legislation regarding vehicle registration. Neither the seller nor Catawiki is responsible for the registration of the vehicle in your country and will not accept a cancellation for your failure to register the vehicle. We also recommend that, if possible, you arrange a viewing with the seller before placing a bid.
Catawiki always aims to offer you the best possible buying experience. Our experts virtually review and select every vehicle in line with our submission guidelines and we require our sellers to provide the most accurate description of the vehicle. However, providing a fully detailed analysis of the vehicle is extremely difficult, and close to impossible. To guide you, we ask our sellers to provide information about the vehicle’s condition. Please consider that most vehicles for sale are classic vehicles and they often already have a whole life behind them, meaning that even a condition 1 or 2 vehicle might need maintenance to be ready for the road. It is advised to carefully read our submission guidelines that further describe details about the condition grades and types to manage your expectations. Cars are sold “as is”, meaning as described and in the condition they are in at the time of the sale and without any representation, warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to the condition by Catawiki or by the seller. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from yours, your local garage, or the dealer’s opinion. This does not automatically mean the car does not conform to its description. Before bidding, please check your local legislation regarding vehicle registration. Neither the seller nor Catawiki is responsible for the registration of the vehicle in your country and will not accept a cancellation for your failure to register the vehicle. We also recommend that, if possible, you arrange a viewing with the seller before placing a bid.

