|
Daimler SP250
|
1959 - 1964 |
Country: |
|
Engine: |
V8 |
Capacity: |
2548cc |
Power: |
140bhp. |
Transmission: |
4 spd. man with overdrive
opt. |
Top Speed: |
120 mph. |
Number
Built: |
2648 |
Collectability: |
|
|
After World War II, Daimlers gradually became more personal,
and more sporting, their mid-1950s products being known
as Conquest, Conquest Century and Sportsman.
After a management
upheaval, there was yet another change of marketing emphasis.
Even so, the launch of a completely new, fast, two-seater
sports car, in the spring of 1959, was a complete break
from Daimler traditions.
The engine was designed by Edward Turner, a noted motorcycle
designer from the BSA Group; he had taken charge at Daimler
two years previously, and his first task was to produce
a range of new power units.
His motorcycle work was not
only respected, but successful, so it was no surprise
to see that he incorporated much the same valve gear in
a smooth, light, and compact V8 of 2548cc, which developed
140hp at 5800 rpm.
Compared with any previous Daimler engine, it produced
exceptional torque, and was as smooth as any sleeve-unit
ever had been.
At first, the new sports car, shown
for the first time at the New York exhibition, was
called the "Dart", but there were immediate objections
from US manufacturer Dodge who were already using the
name for their own cars.
With the threat of legal action
looming, Daimler decided to simply call their new sports
car the SP250. The SP250 had a conventional separate
chassis frame, modeled on the Triumph TR3A frame of
that period, and it used the same front suspension
components.
The rigid rear axle was sprung on half-elliptic leaf springs.
Behind the engine was a TR-like four-speed manual transmission,
with optional overdrive, but purchasers could option an
automatic transmission.
Girling disk brakes were fitted
all round, and because the kerb weight was less than a
tonne, the car could sprint to 60mph in 10.2 seconds and
top 120mph flat out. The SP250's body shell was made from
fiberglass, the first time this had been attempted by
Daimler. The use of fiberglass did, however, cause Daimler
some teething problems as the inherent flexibility caused
quality and refinement problems.
The SP250 was designed to appeal to export markets - most
particularly the USA - but never sold in the hoped-for
quantities, nor was it ever profitable to its makers.
Daimler, in fact, were taken over by Jaguar in 1960, who
persevered with the SP250, eventually developing two improved
versions of it, all with the same styling.
The 'B-Specification'
was phased in during 1961, in which previous extras such
as the bumpers, the heater, and the adjustable steering
column, along with a stiffer body shell, were all included. The 'C-Spec' cars which followed had similar detail changes,
but a proposed restyle was canceled, and the last of 2648
SP250s was built in 1964. |