The 1960 Daimler SP250 recently for sale on eBay looks like the work of an American car designer who loves English roadsters. For example, the nose is adorned with a vast chrome grille reminiscent of a Cadillac.
However, the styling might not be everyone’s taste. We have to admit that the grille’s gape reminds us of a bottom-feeding fish. Yet, what it lacks in looks, it makes up in unexpected power.
Daimler engineers decided against the four-cylinder engine found in most British sports cars of the day. Instead, they employed a spirited V-8 engine for the SP250. At 2.5 liters, it’s relatively small but hemispherical combustion chambers give it a boost to 140 horsepower—quite good for the era.
The Daimler SP250’s chassis is developed from the Triumph TR3. Unfortunately, early in production, engineers discovered that the car’s significant power caused the body to flex. In fact, the car was so flexible that doors reportedly flew open when drivers took curves at speed. Subsequent engineering improved stiffness.
The Daimler SP250 Is British?
You might assume that a Daimler-badged car is German. But that’s not the case. American auto enthusiasts usually know Daimler for its association with Mercedes-Benz vehicles made in Germany from 1998 to 2007. But they are less familiar with Daimler’s British roots, starting with the brand’s founding in 1896 as a manufacturer in the UK.
Shop now for British roadstersThe company used the Daimler name for most of the 20th century. By the 1950s, Daimler—like most British car companies in those days—needed a sports car for its global lineup. That need was satisfied in 1959 by the Daimler SP250. (For a time, the car was called the Daimler Dart.)
Very early in the SP250 run, Jaguar purchased Daimler, continuing production of the SP250 through 1964. To this day, Jaguar Land Rover, which owns the Daimler brand name, uses the marque for higher-end versions of standard Jaguars and limousines.
An Unpolished Gem
The seller says this 1960 SP250 has a relatively old paint job, meaning it doesn’t shine as bright as a freshly restored example. However, despite some nicks and scrapes, it looks nice for a 60-year-old car. The seller also notes that this specimen has the all-important B-Spec frame—a reinforced chassis with improved rigidity.
The seller recently took this car out of long-term storage and installed new brake cylinders, fluids, and a battery. So it’s ready to run.
If you find yourself driving this Daimler in rainy weather, you’ll want to put on the extremely rare factory hardtop included in the sale. In my many years as a British car nut, I’ve never seen an SP250 hardtop in person. So the hardtop immediately adds value to this offer.
Shop now for British roadstersBut when the rain lets up, you’ll want to quickly remove the hardtop. Driving this 1960 Daimler SP250 in open air allows you to fully experience the intoxicating sound of its V-8 engine. That would provide no end of driving thrills.
