1996 Daimler Century International Register

Introduction

This is a register which I have long wanted to get on-line, but time has not permitted. The Daimler Century is one of my favourite modern “Jaguar’s” – it has everything going for it – it is user friendly, durable, and carries the added bonus of relative rarity value!

Until June of this year, the Daimler Century was something I had read about, but never seen! I didn’t expect to see one either, least of all, parked in Morrison’s car park in Bridport – alas, it has since vanished without trace!

Then, less than 3 months later, I answered an advert for some XJ40 parts which were being sold by a gentleman in Devon. In conversation he happened to mention that he had sold his XJ40 and purchased a Daimler Century – he was astonished that I had even heard of it, and gratified that I couldn’t wait to see it when I arranged to pick up the XJ40 parts!

Another 2 months later, after I had mentioned the Daimler Century on the website, I was contacted by Herve in France, who has a Daimler which is badged as a “Centenary”. This has lead to a whole new thread of research into why it should have been so badged.

Herve explained; “My car has a Centenary badge on the boot, not the Century one.
I have contacted the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust about this question, but the answer is not sure. All I know is that my car was originally sold in Belgium. There is a debate about it on a German Jaguar forum. I know that all the Japanese Daimler Century’s have a Centenary badge because of the Toyota Century car. To my knowledge, this is the only Centenary in France; perhaps in Europe.
I often watch classified ads to see who is selling a Century in Europe. There is currently a Century (4 litre, 5 seater) for sale near Paris, in the same colour as mine (Spruce Green). There are also two more for sale in Switzerland – one is a 4 seater 4 litre and the other is 4 seater V12. Neither are badged Centenary!
I have owned this car since May 2009, and I have obtained a Heritage Certificate for it.”

The only explanation I could offer Herve is; “As you will probably realise, the cars are not built to order, but on a speculative assumption of what will sell, where it will sell, and what will prove a popular colour and specification.
I have seen instances where other Jaguar models have been built for one market and then diverted to another compatible market to fill the gap. It would seem that your Daimler was initially destined for Japan, but was then diverted to Belgium.”

If you own a Daimler Century or Centenary we would love to hear from you, and if you have any other information on the Centenary badged Daimlers, we would all be extremely interested – Herve, in particular, would like to know if the Centenary was ONLY destined for the Japanese market?

I understand that the total production was 200 worldwide (100 4 litre and 100 6 litre V12’s) making the Daimler Century a very rare beast – it would appear that a Centenary badged Daimler is even more so!

More figures to clarify the above will follow in due course, along with full details of Daimler Century specification.

The Daimler Century Register currently consists of:

	VIN: SAJDKAND3BJ 775083 Colour: Carnival Red Trim: Pale Mushroom Location: UK	Further details upon request
	VIN: SAJDKANS3BR 776370 Colour: Nautilus Trim: Pale Mushroom Location: New Zealand	Further details upon request
	VIN: SAJDKKNS4BP 777248 Colour: Carnival Red Trim: Oatmeal Location: UK (ex-Japan)	Further details upon request
	VIN: SAJDKAND4BJ 777928 Colour: Spruce Green Trim: Silk White Location: France	Further details upon request
	VIN: SAJDKAMD3BJ 778064 Colour: Black Trim: Oatmeal? Location: UK	Further details upon request
	VIN: SAJDKAND3BJ 784408 Colour: Cabernet Red Trim: Mushroom Location: UK (ex-Jaguar Heritage)	Further details upon request
	VIN: SAJDKAMD4BJ 784729 Colour: Spruce Green Trim: Silk White Location: France	Further details upon request
	VIN: SAJDKAMD3BJ 784801 Colour: Sapphire Blue Trim: Silk White Location: UK	Further details upon request
	VIN: SAJDKANS3BR 784809 Colour: Black Trim: Silk White Location: UK	Further details upon request
	VIN: SAJDKANS3BR 787401 Colour: Black Trim: Awaiting confirmation Location: UK	Further details upon request

To register YOUR Daimler Century, please contact Letitia@xclusively-jaguar.co.uk