Daimler Majestic Major
Reviewed by Unique Cars and Parts
Our Rating: 3
Introduction
An unlikely high performer the Daimler Majestic was
fitted with a brand new 4.7 litre
hemi-head V8 that gave
the vehicle a top speed of 193 km/h.
Quicker than rival Jaguars and an astonishing 0 to 100
km/h in 9.7 seconds.
Considered to be good value at the
time, the vehicle came standard with an
automatic transmission,
power steering, disc
brakes and a leather interior.
Production and therefore sales were low, resulting in
only 1180 vehicles being produced.
From that point on,
following the takeover by Jaguar, all Daimlers were destined
to become badge engineered Jaguars.
One of the most impressive post-war saloons to emerge
from the Daimler company first appeared in 1959, the Majestic
Major.
Based on the original six cylinder Majestic the
Majestic Major introduced a powerful new V8 to the range,
measuring 4561cc.
This wonderful engine featured a "hemi" (Hemispherical)
alloy
cylinder head and developed some 220bhp.
Despite
only having an
automatic transmission the Majestic Major
could easily top 120mph, almost giving the car a "Q" car
kudos.
Externally the only real clues to what lurked under
the bonnet of the Majestic Major were the "V8" symbols
cast into the front horn grilles, the rest of the car
looked dignified and understated. Production of the
Majestic Major continued until 1968, 1180 examples
were completed.