Vehicle Description
Daimler Company Ltd is one of the cornerstones of the British motor
industry. Founded in the late 1800s as a licensed distributor of
Gottlieb Daimler's internal combustion engines, the firm began
producing complete motorcars in Coventry before the turn of the
20th Century. Since then, they created some of the finest and most
prestigious British automobiles in history, with the honor of being
the first official auto supplier for the Royal Family, a
distinction they held for nearly half a century. Traditionally,
Daimlers were luxurious, refined, and relaxed cars worthy of
transporting the upper class in supreme style. Through ups, downs,
and even a scandal or two, Daimler remained steadfast in their
quality and commitment to tradition. Even after a takeover by
Jaguar and rationalization of the production line, Daimler models
continued into the modern era as the softer, more luxurious
alternative to Jaguar. Surprisingly, it took until the late 1950s
for Daimler to introduce its first volume-produced sports car. At
the heart of the new car was a compact V8 engine designed by former
Ariel and Triumph motorcycle engineer, Edward Turner. The 2.5-liter
unit featured hemispherical combustion chambers, a high-mounted
camshaft, and angled valve gear similar to Turner's previous
Triumph Speed Twin engine. The jewel of an engine sat in a
conventional chassis (adapted from the Triumph TR3) with a live
rear axle, coil-sprung independent suspension, and hydraulic
Girling disc brakes. Atop the frame sat a flamboyant 2-seat
roadster body with pronounced sweeping wings, tail fins, and a low,
wide radiator grille. Daimler selected fiberglass for its ease of
production and ability to form virtually any shape. Launched as the
Dart at the 1959 New York Auto Show, Chrysler Corporation
immediately objected, and the name changed to the less dramatic
"SP250." With 140 horsepower and a lightweight body, the SP250 was
one of the fastest British roadsters of its day, good for 120 mph.
Early versions were not without their teething troubles, but that
fabulous little V8 made it easy to forgive its foibles. The SP250
was the last "pure" Daimler, coming on the eve of Jaguar's takeover
in 1960. While the new management could have easily killed the
project, they instead invested in its development. Cars built from
April 1961-onward featured a stronger, reinforced chassis and
numerous subtle improvements to driver comfort, practicality, and
performance. Despite those efforts, sales struggled, and SP250
production ended in 1964 after only 2,654 cars, far short of the
estimated 3,000 vehiclesper yearDaimler predicted. For collectors,
the SP250's rarity and unique style have earned it a loyal
following of passionate, knowledgeable enthusiasts who dutifully
keep the flame lit on the only sports car to roll out of Daimler's
Coventry works. This 1961 SP250 roadster is a desirable B-Spec
model, featuring the improved chassis, adjustable steering column,
and other refinements developed by Jaguar. This car is finished in
a striking black livery and was the subject of an extensive,
well-documented restoration by The Guild of Automotive Restorers in
Bradford, Ontario. According to the previous owners, this car spent
the majority of its life in Canada, where it was sold new by
O'Donnell Mackie Ltd of Toronto. Options include heater/demister,
leather-wrapped steering wheel, adjustable column, full-width front
bumper, cigar lighter, and windscreen washer. Little is known of
the car's early history, although by the early 2000s, it was in the
care of an avid marque enthusiast. In 2004, he commissioned The
Guild to perform the comprehensive restoration. The project spanned
several years and cost more than 100,000 CAD, encompassing a full
strip-down and respray, new upholstery, and extensive mechanical
work. Following restoration, the SP250 remained in the same owner's
care, seeing only limited use. He sold the car to an American buyer
in 2019, who performed a light recommissioning. Black suits the
Daimler's shape exceptionally well, and the body displays crisp
feature lines and consistent panel fit, particularly for a
fiberglass-bodied car from this era. The paintwork has deep gloss
and is quite attractive, though some of the fiberglass work is
visible under scrutiny. Chrome and polished stainless brightwork
are in excellent order, and many of the larger items like the front
bumper, rear overriders, and grille were re-plated. The chrome wire
wheels are a later addition and contribute to the car's purposeful
stance. The tan pinpoint vinyl top is in good order, excepting a
small tear at one of the fasteners that occurred after the
restoration. The gorgeous interior features light tan lambskin
leather upholstery. The glove-soft hides give the car a decidedly
upscale character and are in superb condition, showing barely any
signs of creasing from use or age. Matching material covers the
occasional rear bench seat - which is best for stowing your
overnight bags. Darker tan carpets are excellent, and the dash
features original-style Jaeger instruments and simple toggle
switches for the classic British roadster experience. A
period-appropriate wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel falls
readily to hand thanks to the adjustable column, and its smaller
diameter makes for sharper inputs while on the go. Providing the
"Go" is the original 2.5-liter hemi-head V8 paired with a
four-speed manual gearbox. Twin SU carburetors feed the jewel-like
engine, which emits an addictive burble from the twin exhausts. It
runs very well, and receipts show extensive work to the cooling and
electrical systems. The engine compartment is tidy and clean,
befitting a well-restored but road-ready example. Daimler's only
real foray into the sports car business may not have been the
success they hoped for, but it gave us one of the most memorable
and distinct British roadsters of all time. This lovely example
benefits from a high-quality restoration and enthusiastic care, and
it represents a unique alternative to the more commonplace sporty
roadsters of the period. If you own classic cars like this Daimler
SP250 that you would like to sell, or you would like to sell
vintage cars from your collection, contact us today. We're here to
help. Our classic car consignment program is a seamless service
designed for collectors to leverage our global network and broker a
private sale. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional
details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6620-1961-daimler-sp250-roadster/