Lot 125: Daimler V8 250 Saloon

When Jaguar Cars acquired Daimler in 1963 they also acquired a great V8 engine that ex Triumph Motorcycle engineer, Edward Turner had recently designed for installation in the Darts/SP250. They discovered it fitted nicely in the MK II body shell and had the added bonus of being more powerful than the entry level 2.4 XK unit without out-performing the larger power plants. The lighter-weight of the V8, over the XK-engined MK II also gave better fuel economy and handling, although it lacked the performance of the 3.4 and 3.8. The later V8 250 model had the option of a 4 speed manual gearbox with overdrive but the early cars came with a 3 speed auto-box, which was the same unit that went in the Morris Oxford. With alloy heads, the valve-seats can withstand unleaded fuel, although there's a debate on whether the valves themselves can take it. It had twin-SU carburettors and, like the MKII, disk-brakes on all 4 wheels. This example is from the final year of production, so is equipped with the slimline bumpers of the 240/340 MKII. Unlike the MKII, the Daimler retained leather for the seats and kept its driving lights. Said to have been the property of a Tottenham Hotspur director from 1991, the car was fully rebuilt in 1986 and benefited from an engine rebuild some 5 years later, at 50,000 miles (now 94500). It is now described as being in very good to excellent condition and, over the past 5 years, has further benefited from brake overhaul, new radiator, fitting of electronic ignition, Kenlowe fan and rear seat belts. Finished in Ascot fawn with beige leather, the car sits on chrome wire wheels, is equipped with the auto transmission and is complete with an MoT and free historic tax through to Oct 2009.