Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

[beaulieu]

Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

Someone at the swap meet mentioned they knew of a SP250 down the street ,

its been sitting in the yard for years , but at least its dry SoCal,

anyway are they interesting ?
maybe for vintage racing ?

he said it was pretty complete , but no bumpers or grill and the windshield has a crack ,

is there a Specialist parts shop for them ?
is the motor the same as in the Daimler sedan ?

Just thinking if the price was right it might be a cool toy to pick up.....

Beaulieu

 

[tony barnhill]

Re: Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

Oh yeah - they ARE interesting!! Who cares if it has no bumper (they actually look better without)...until you've heard that hemi engine, you've not heard anything like it...& driving one - HOO BOY!! It just humkers down & grabs the ground the faster you go.

Grab it if its there - its one of the few cars I wish I'd never sold!

 

[tony barnhill]

Re: Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

Oh yeah - they ARE interesting!! Who cares if it has no bumper (they actually look better without)...until you've heard that hemi engine, you've not heard anything like it...& driving one - HOO BOY!! It just humkers down & grabs the ground the faster you go.

Grab it if its there - its one of the few cars I wish I'd never sold!

 

[Silverghost]

Re: Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

On the TR forum, there is a "TR3" on eBay with "custom body work"....is actually a Daimler SP 250...check it out

 

[DART]

Re: Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

Sorry, that is a modified TR-3, NOT a SP250.
Are they interesting...I bought my first in 1961 (sold in'65), 2nd in 1969 (undergoing resto) and 3rd in 2005 which is my driver. They are quirky to steer, blast to hear, have very good room in cockpit and boot, 4-wheel disks. It is the same hemi engine as in the Jaq V8-250...did I say it sounds like no other LBC??? I would second Tony's double post----------<span style="font-weight: bold">buyit!!!</span>
Ran mine to a show today, about 130 miles round trip, much of it interstate at 3,500RPM which is about 75mph. They are cold blooded to start, windshield is too low to easily see with the top up, fiberglass bodies tend to flex a little, and parts are getting harder to find. John Carey in Ipswich, MA is considered the garu of restoration, but he is phasing out of SP work. Lots of sources in England, but the pound isn't especially fave now and there is the shipping on top. But, like Tony said.........

 

[aeronca65t]

Re: Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

They *are* unique.

You'll hardly ever see another one. There are several vintage race Darts that I see.
Here's one (jacked up on one side for repairs at Pittsburgh Vintage

 

[Silverghost]

Re: Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

Yep, I realized after the fact that I was mispoken.....

 

[beaulieu]

Re: Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

Good Morning,

Well a few more questions ,

what bolt pattern are the rims ?
are disc brake rebuild/replacement parts easy to get ?
is the gearbox out of another British car ?
any easy 5 speed conversions ?

from what I know about the car I think the best idea for it is vintage race / rally look and not restoration,

Beaulieu

 

[DART]

Re: Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

Rims are 4-bolt pattern but usual substitute of TR rims are slightly off on offset. Guess if you replaced all 4 than no problem. Race crowd usually goes for wider rim and slight flare to accommodate.

Disks are Girling and were used on some other brit cars of the time.

not sure about gearbox, is the typical -for the time- 4 speed with no synchro on 1st.

conversion is usually toyo supra 5-speed, with the W-58 box having the closest to original ratios. Problem is then bellhousing, which will run just a little under 2,000 if bought from the supplier in AU.

NIAL- I like the new look!!! Did you have a hot link there to a pic of the race SP??

 

[tony barnhill]

Re: Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

How much is it? That's the only thing one needs to know when thinking about buying an SP250!

 

[beaulieu]

Re: Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

thanks for the info Dart, I sent you a PM too

I will not be paying $2000 for a bell housing , I was just hoping something common fit , we can always hope

I think TR rims are 4 inch pattern so there should be some period aluminum rims around,

Like always I do not "need" another project, but I love the chase , if I get it and it runs I will keep it, if the motor is dead then it will probably get sold dead, I really have no interest rebuilding the motor,

thanks for the info ,
keep the info and photos coming

Beaulieu

 

[swift6]

Re: Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

TR2-6 rims are a 4X4-1/2 (114.3mm) pattern. You can find new wheels with that bolt pattern, but the offset is usually +40mm. Otherwise, Datsun also used that bolt pattern though with 14" wheels usually.

 

[aeronca65t]

Re: Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

Ah, I messed up the picture link above.....it's fixed now.

Here's another picture of the same car.
Someone told me the owner lives here in New Jersey in the same town as me (I don't know the fellow).
I know there's at least one in my area, because I see it on the local roads.

 

[Silverghost]

Re: Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

Ok, why is it when I look at that picture, the car turns black, gets day-glo red trim around the body lines and day-glo red silouhettes of a flying nocturnal insect eating mammal on the doors??! :laugh: That IS a cool car....Honey, I'm gonna need a bigger garage!

 

[beaulieu]

Re: Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

Wow it like it with the wire wheels.....

Beaulieu

 

[DART]

Re: Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

Nial- Ryan Smith is racing one, but I'm not sure of the color. He lives in Andover, NJ. I just sold him my tranny so he'd have a spare.

 

[aeronca65t]

Re: Daimler SP 250 - are they interesting ?

Yes Dale....I'm sure the fellow's name is Ryan "something", so it must be the same guy. I may look him up if he's at this years PVGP.

The street SP250 I've seen around Andover is red.