Daimler SP250
Overview
| Produced: |
1959-1964, 2645 produced. |
|---|---|
| Types: |
Sports,2 doors,2 seats |
Daimler introduced one of its most controversial models in 1959, the Daimler Dart. Unfortunately due to legal reasons (U.S. firm Dodge already owned the model name!) the "Dart" was quickly renamed the Daimler SP250 and sold as this until its demise in 1964. The SP250 was one of first serious British attempts at using GRP for its external coachwork, this explained the cars curious styling!
Compared to other contemporary British sports cars the SP250 looked quite outrageous with its tail fins and wide front grille. Power came from a powerful 2.5 litre V8 which gave the car a top speed of 120mph, the Police were quick to spot the cars potential for use as a high speed traffic car and many saw service in this role.
During the five year production run the SP250 underwent two further specification changes, these are now known as the "B" and "C" spec' cars. When production finally ceased in 1964 over 2,600 examples of the SP250 had been built.
Buyers Guide Daimler SP250 Dart and Standard 8/10 featured in Practical Classics February 2007– available from our sister site Bookbase. Click here to view.
Source: Motorbase
Engines
| Capacity | Config | Model | Bore/Stroke | CR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2548cc | V8 OHV | Daimler V8 | 76mm x 70mm |
Drivetrain and Suspension
| Drivetrain | Steering | Front Suspension | Rear Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
Performance
| Top Speed | 0-60 | SQM | MPG | Engine Pwr | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 123 mph | 8.8 s | 17.8 s | 23 mpg | 140 bhp 5800 |
Brakes
| Front | Rear | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Disc | Disc |
Auction Sales History
Books
| ISBN | Title | Publisher | Buy this book |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0760302413 | Porsche Legends : Inside History of the Epic Cars | Motorbooks International |
Magazine Articles
| Title | Pages | Options | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article |
Buying Guide - 1959-64 Daimler SP250 'Dart' |
92 |
 |
|
| Publication | Classic Cars April 2010 | |||
| Buying Guide - 1959-64 Daimler SP250 'Dart' - Dare to be different by joining this distinctive British sports car's loyal band of devotees - here's how to find a great example. | ||||
| Article |
Buying Guide - Daimler SP250 Dart (1959-1964) |
100 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics February 2007 | |||
| Buying Guide - Daimler SP250 Dart - It's long been the Cinderella of classic sports cars, but the Daimler Sp250 (a.k.a. 'Dart') is at last beginning to get the recognition it always deserved. | ||||
| Article |
Classic Drive: Daimler SP250 |
76 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics September 2005 | |||
| A Dart in Sherwood forest - Shouldn't that be an arrow? Anyone who wants to make a quick getaway from the Sherriff of Nottingham could do a lot worse than putting their foot down in Daimler's spectacular SP250. Nigel Boothman borrows from the rich and overtakes the poor. | ||||
| Article |
Dart attack |
50 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics Spring 2002 | |||
| Dart Attack - Consultant anaesthetist David Nancekievill resuscitated an original Daimler Dart and turned it into a shiny show car. Yet it still gets regular use. Nigel Boothman tells the story. | ||||
| Article |
Buyers Guide - Daimler SP250 |
230 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic & Sports Car June 2011 | |||
| Buyers Guide - Daimler SP250 - A sports car from an unlikely source - with an advanced specification for the time - is finally gaining the recognition it deserves, reckons Malcolm McKay. | ||||
| Article |
Buyer's Guide - Daimler SP250 |
22 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 18 May 2011 | |||
| Buyer's Guide - Daimler SP250 - Lauded and derided in roughly equal measures, Daimler's idiosyncratic SP250 has suddenly come of age. MIKE LE CAPLAIN makes the case for and against buying of of these sports cars today. | ||||
| Article |
Buyer's Guide - Daimler SP250 |
76 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 25 August 2010 | |||
| Buyer's Guide - Daimler SP250 - Once regarded as an ugly duckling, the Daimler SP250 has transformed into a beautiful swan - with values rising as classic buyers latch onto this rare V8 roadster. RICHARD DREDGE reports. | ||||
| Article |
Buying Power - Daimler SP250 'Dart' |
32 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 12 November 2009 | |||
| Buying Power - Daimler SP250 'Dart'- An odd road to take for a traditional saloon builder, the SP250 was compromised by quirky looks, but is it worth taking flight in a Dart? IAN SEABROOK investigates. | ||||
| Article |
Buyers Guide - Step out of the shadow |
94 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart September 2009 | |||
| Buyers Guide - Step out of the shadow - For too longm Daimler's quirky but fantastic dart has been overlooked by driver's wanting a proper British sports car. CCM sets the record straight. Daimler SP250 (1959-1964). | ||||
| Article |
Buying guide - Daimler SP250 1959-1964 |
143 |
|
|
| Publication | Octane September 2008 | |||
| Buying guide - Daimler SP250 1959-1964- Quirky but robust alternatives to the usual classic roadster, with a tough V8 engine and rot-proof glassfibre bodywork. | ||||
| Article |
Brain versus Brawn - Tiger v SP250 |
36 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Monthly November 2007 | |||
| Brain versus Brawn - Tiger v SP250- Two British V8s test the old theory that says there's no subsitute for cubes..... | ||||
| Article |
Buying Power - Daimler 'Dart' SP250 |
28 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 26 April 2007 | |||
| Buying Power - Daimler 'Dart' SP250 - With little experience in sportscar production, it's small wonder that Daimler's SP250 turned out to be a little bit of an oddball...although a glorious one at that. RICHARD GUNN looks at buying the glassfibre creation with the great V8 engine, with advice from specialist David Manners. | ||||
| Article |
Bullseye - Daimler SP 250 |
94 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Monthly December 2005 | |||
| Bullseye - Keith Beardmore's SP250 was left propped up on its side in his garage for over ten years before he was able to devote time and dedication to his dormant Dart dream. David Bowers reports. | ||||
| Article |
Road Test - Daimler SP250 |
38 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 10 February 2005 | |||
| Road Test - Daimler SP250 - Built 1959-64, two-door, two-plus-two roadster. Front-engined, rear-wheel-drive. 2548cc V8 engine. | ||||
| Article |
Buying Power - Daimler SP250 Dart |
24 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 6 October 2004 | |||
| Buying Power - Daimler SP250 Dart - The Daimler SP250 is one of the most distinctive-looking classic British sports cars, and a great performer to boot. RICHARD GUNN looks at buying the car everybody knows as the Dart. | ||||
| Article |
Affordable Sports Cars - Supplement |
|
||
| Publication | Classic Car Mart May 2004 | |||
| Affordable Sports Cars - Supplement - Austin-Healey 3000, Jaguar XK120, MGB, Daimler SP250, Triumph Spitfire MK IV, MG Midget 1500. | ||||
| Article |
Classic Car Weekly 24 October 2001 pg 8 |
8 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 24 October 2001 | |||
| Buying Power. Daimler Dart. The Daimler SP250 Dart was a styling oddity when launched in 1959. But, the lack of beauty was only skin deep, underneath was a great sports car, says Richard Gunn. | ||||
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