1961 Daimler SP250 Roadster

Registration no. 6219 RW. Chassis no. 103828. Engine no. 96874. Estimate: £17,000 - 20,000

Footnote: An unusual departure for a firm more noted for its stately limousines, the SP250 sports car was Daimler’s final fling before its acquisition by Jaguar. Aimed at the North American market and launched in 1959, the SP250 employed a separate ladder-type chassis on which sat controversially styled glassfibre coachwork manufactured by Daimler themselves. Four-wheel disc brakes were an unusual feature at the time, but unquestionably the car’s biggest virtue was its 2.5-litre V8 engine. An outstandingly flexible unit, the smaller of Daimler’s two V8s produced 140bhp, an output good enough to propel the SP250 to a top speed of 125mph. In keeping with the demands of its intended market, automatic transmission was available as an option. The model survived Jaguar’s 1960 take-over, benefiting from its new owner’s attention that resulted in the much-improved ‘B’ version. Introduced in April 1961, the SP250 ‘B’ boasted a stiffer chassis and thicker glassfibre coachwork while its ‘C’ replacement, introduced in April 1963, differed only in detail. Sadly, the Jaguar E-Type’s arrival meant the SP250’s days were numbered and production ceased in 1964.
Owned by The Daimler Company until 1965, so presumably retained for the use of higher management or experimental purposes, this SP250 was purchased in November 2002 by the current owner, who immediately commenced a complete ‘body off’ professional rebuild. Work carried out included cleaning and powder-coating the chassis, while the bodyshell was stripped, re-sprayed in Riocca Red metallic and fitted with a new body kit. The seats, dashboard and door panels were re-covered in genuine cream hide and new red carpets installed. All the chromework has been re-plated to highest standard and the chromed wire wheels and tyres are new, as is the matching hood, hood bag and tonneau cover. Re-sprayed but not re-trimmed, the original hardtop comes with the car.
On the mechanical side: the engine was dismantled, re-bored and fitted with new pistons; the crankshaft polished and re-shelled; the oil pump overhauled with new gears, etc; the camshaft, cam followers and timing chain tensioner renewed; and the cylinder heads reconditioned and converted to unleaded compatibility. The gearbox brakes and steering have been overhauled; a complete new clutch and associated hydraulics fitted; the radiator re-cored to a higher specification; and a Pacet electric fan and new hoses fitted. Additional upgrades include an electronic ignition conversion to the distributor and a stainless-steel exhaust system.
Freshly MoT’d and serviced, ‘6219 RW’ has covered 67,094 miles from new and is presented in superb condition. All parts invoices are available and the car also comes with old-style logbook, current MoT and Swansea V5. All in all, this is probably the best example currently available and represents outstanding value for money. 

Bonhams. Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia, 20 Apr 2009. RAF Museum, Hendon www.bonhams.com (Copyright © 2002-2009 Bonhams 1793 Ltd., Images and Text All Rights Reserved)