Description
The Daimler SP250, often referred to as the “Dart,” was a striking and unconventional British sports car produced between 1959 and 1964. It marked a bold departure for Daimler, a company traditionally associated with conservative limousines and royal transport. The SP250 was designed to appeal to the growing post-war market for lightweight, high-performance sports cars, particularly in the United States, where open-top British roadsters were in high demand.
The SP250 was powered by Daimler’s 2.5-litre V8 engine, a compact and light powerplant developed under the leadership of Edward Turner, known for his work on Triumph motorcycles. This engine was a standout feature of the car, delivering around 140 horsepower and giving the SP250 impressive performance for its time. It had a distinctive sound and was capable of propelling the car to a top speed of over 120 mph, with a 0–60 mph time of around 8.5 seconds, placing it among the quicker British sports cars of its era.
A major talking point of the SP250 was its bodywork, which was constructed from fiberglass—a lightweight and corrosion-resistant material that allowed for complex shapes and reduced production costs. The design was polarising, with a prominent grille, curved tailfins, and rounded forms that gave it a unique appearance, earning it a reputation as both distinctive and eccentric. Some admired its bold styling, while others found it awkward, but it certainly stood out among its peers.
The chassis of the early SP250s was a simple ladder frame, but the first series suffered from significant flex and scuttle shake, particularly with the roof down. Daimler responded to this with the B-spec version, which included additional bracing to improve structural rigidity. The C-spec that followed introduced further refinements and better equipment, gradually turning the SP250 into a more mature and capable sports car.
Inside, the SP250 was relatively basic but functional, with a driver-focused layout, Smiths gauges, and simple switchgear. Leather seats were standard, and while the interior wasn’t as plush as Daimler’s saloons, it offered a comfortable and engaging environment for spirited driving. The car came with a soft top as standard, and a hardtop was optional for those who wanted year-round usability.
Despite its merits, the SP250 faced stiff competition from better-established sports cars such as the Triumph TR3, MGA, and Jaguar XK150. Its unconventional styling and the Daimler badge, more associated with chauffeur-driven limousines than sports cars, may have limited its appeal. However, it found a niche audience, particularly among police forces in the UK, who valued its speed and agility for motorway patrol work.
When Jaguar acquired Daimler in 1960, the SP250 remained in production, but its future was uncertain. Jaguar already had a strong lineup of sports cars, including the E-Type, which effectively overshadowed the SP250. Production ended in 1964 after around 2,654 units had been built.
Today, the Daimler SP250 is appreciated as a charismatic and entertaining classic. Its combination of V8 power, unique styling, and rarity make it a sought-after model among collectors. While it may have been an outlier in Daimler’s history, it represents an adventurous and memorable chapter in the marque’s evolution.