Daimler Majestic Major
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Daimler Majestic Major (1959 -1968)
Daimler's 1959 model V8s have a head design closely resembling Triumph Speed Twin motorcycle engines, and a crankshaft closely resembling that of a slightly earlier Cadillac. The Triumph head design similarity is not surprising considering Edward Turner designed them both. He designed the Daimler engines in 1956. The 4.5 is a larger version of the same design, with cast iron block and alloy hemispherical heads.
The earlier 1958 Daimler Majestic had a 3.8 litre inline six. In 1959 the Daimler Majestic Major was released. The new engine was lighter and much more powerful. The vehicle was transformed into an executive hot-rod capable of 120 mph. It is faster than a MkX Jaguar up to 80 mph despite its 1880 kg bulk, and it has been said that Jaguar tried a Daimler 4.5 motor in a MkX and it did 130 mph. Obviously quoted Daimler horses are bigger than Jaguars horses...
It was built on a massive cruciform-braced box-section chassis equipped with coil-sprung independent front suspension, with a well located 'live' rear axle and four-wheel disc brakes
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.
Equipped with 4.5 litre V8, twin SU carburettors, double exhaust, 95.25 mm bore, 80 mm stroke, 4561 cc, ohv, a conservative 220 bhp at 5500 rpm. Borg Warner automatic transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, vacuum-servo assisted. A very mechanically advanced car for its time, but wearing an outdated and heavy body (37cwt-1880 kg). Even so, they are reported to be able to exceed 120 mph.
Capable of 0 to 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds, and 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.
See also: Daimler 2.5 & 4.5 Litre V8 Engines
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