Daimler SP250

The SP250 "Dart" was something completely new for Daimler. The decision to build it came after a change in management in the late 1950s. Daimler was in trouble the top brass thought a new sportscar would be a fine way to enter the American market, just as Jaguar, Triumph and MG had done before them. Using a chassis and suspension layout copied from Triumph TR3, Daimler took the radical step of making a glassfibre body. A all new 2.5 V-eight engine producing a sweet 140bhp. Designed by Edward Turner famed for his Triumph motorcycle engines. This smooth, torguey free revving engine with its hemispherical combustion chambers and twin SU carburetors could power the SP250 from Below 10mph in top gear up to 127mph. it unusual looks and price didn't go down well. Only selling 2,600 cars. because of this Daimler where bought out by Jaguar in early 1960. Sir William Lyons never liked the Dart, because the styling and it would given the E-type a run for its money. Jaguar sold the car until all the Darts had been sold in 1964.