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The Daimler SP 250 sports car represented a significant departure from the more usual type of vehicle to emerge from the Daimler factory at Coventry. This was a completely different type of car of unusual design having a glass fibre body, a lightweight chassis not unlike that of the Triumph TR3, with a 2.5 litre V8 engine, which gave rise to a high performance car. It has good fuel economy usually between 28 and 36 m.p.g.It has excellent acceleration and a top speed in excess of 125 m.p.h. The car is fitted with Dunlop disc brakes on all wheels, and was the first production car to be so fitted. And together with the combination of high power and lightweight enabled it to start from rest, attain 100 M.P.H. and come to rest all within 30 seconds.
Somewhere in the region of 2414 cars were produced, about half being in left hand drive (SP251) for export. Many survive and are in daily use all over the world.
This particular car is fitted with the optional Borg Warner DG. Automatic gear box, and was originally purchased by the Metropolitan Police on the 1st November 1964, and was one of 26 such vehicles used as high speed pursuit cars, particularly in connection with the then problem of motor cyclist ‘café racers’.
Automatic cars destined for Police use were modified by Daimler by the fitting of a handle in the centre of the dashboard, which, when pulled, locks the gearbox into second gear allowing a speed range from zero to 85 mph in the one gear. The gearbox normally runs in two gears only, with a ‘low’ ratio for manual selection if required. The top speed is higher than cars fitted with the manual gearbox.
The engine was designed by Edward Turner, of Ariel ‘square 4’ and Triumph ‘Speed Twin’ fame, and the engine design can be traced back to the Triumph ‘Bonneville’ engine.
All spares are easily obtainable and quite reasonable when compared with the costs of spares for a modern car.
This car has only recently been acquired and it is not intended to restore it to concours condition, but is in the process of being worked through to bring it back to standard format, and will then be maintained in a roadworthy but ‘used’ condition. It has been fitted with a stainless exhaust system and radial tyres, and will no doubt be further upgraded, as more modern parts are available,.
The Metropolitan Police disposed it of on 30th August 1967, having being driven 97,325 miles in less than five years. It is intended that he vehicle will be returned to its original Police livery, and fitted with electric bell and contemporary radio equipment.
Thank you for your interest.
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