1964 Daimler Dart SP 250 – Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden 2021
In 1964, a Daimler sports car with a V8 engine and fiberglass body was still an unusual sight on British roads. The Daimler Dart SP 250, originally launched as the “Dart,” combined advanced engine design with unconventional styling. It was Daimler’s bold attempt to enter a market long dominated by established roadster names.
Technical Details
The 1964 Daimler SP 250 was manufactured by the Daimler Company, which had been under the ownership of Jaguar Cars since 1960. The SP 250 was powered by a 2,548 cc V8 engine featuring hemispherical combustion chambers, designed by Edward Turner. The engine produced approximately 140 bhp (SAE gross), making it one of the more powerful British sports cars in its class during the early 1960s.
The compact V8 was mounted at the front and drove the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission. The SP 250 used a separate ladder-type chassis, with a fiberglass body mounted on top—an uncommon material choice among British manufacturers at the time. By 1964, the chassis had been strengthened compared with early production versions to address concerns about torsional rigidity.
Suspension consisted of independent front suspension with coil springs and a live rear axle located by semi-elliptic leaf springs. Braking was provided by hydraulic disc brakes on all four wheels, offering competitive stopping power. With a kerb weight of roughly 940 kilograms, the SP 250 achieved a top speed close to 190 km/h (approximately 120 mph), supported by strong acceleration due to its favorable power-to-weight ratio.
- Manufacturer: Daimler Company
- Model Name: Daimler Dart SP 250
- Year of Manufacturing: 1964
Design
The SP 250’s fiberglass body allowed flowing shapes and prominent detailing. The front featured a distinctive grille flanked by sculpted headlamp housings, giving the car an appearance that differed markedly from contemporary Jaguars or Austin-Healeys. The long bonnet and compact cockpit followed traditional roadster proportions, but the surface treatment was more expressive.
Chrome accents outlined the grille and bumpers, while the rear incorporated modest fins and rounded tail lamps. The fiberglass construction enabled lighter weight and resistance to corrosion, though it also contributed to early criticism regarding body flex before structural improvements were introduced.
Inside, the SP 250 offered a more refined presentation than many sports car rivals. The dashboard was typically finished in wood veneer, housing round instruments in a symmetrical layout. Leather upholstery and polished detailing reinforced Daimler’s reputation for quality craftsmanship. The cabin was compact but oriented toward comfort as well as performance.
Historical Significance
The Daimler SP 250 was introduced in 1959 as Daimler’s first and only postwar production sports car. The model sought to broaden the brand’s appeal beyond traditional luxury saloons. Its V8 engine distinguished it from most British competitors, which typically relied on inline four- or six-cylinder units.
After Jaguar acquired Daimler, the SP 250 remained in limited production. By 1964, the model had reached its final development phase, incorporating chassis reinforcements and incremental refinements. Production ended that year, with approximately 2,600 units built overall.
The SP 250 occupies a unique position within British automotive history. It represents an intersection between Daimler’s engineering ambition and Jaguar’s corporate stewardship, as well as an early example of fiberglass body construction in a British production sports car.
Quirks and Pop Culture
Originally named the “Dart,” the model was renamed SP 250 due to trademark conflicts in export markets. The early styling divided opinion, with some critics regarding it as unconventional compared with more restrained British sports cars of the period.
The V8 engine, however, earned consistent praise for its smoothness and performance. Its hemispherical combustion chamber design was unusual in the segment and contributed to the car’s strong power delivery. Today, the SP 250 is recognized as a distinctive alternative within the classic British sports car landscape, appreciated for its mechanical individuality and limited production.
Display and preservation:
The vehicle was exhibited at the Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden in 2021. This event, held annually in the spa town’s Kurpark and along the Kaiserallee, is one of Germany’s most picturesque classic car gatherings. In 2021, the 44th edition featured 300 vintage vehicles from 80 different brands, including rare models. The event embraced a 1970s theme, showcasing over 40 vehicles from that era. An innovative highlight was the “automobile fashion show,” where models presented current fashion trends while riding in open-top classic cars through the park. The event concluded with the traditional Concours d’élégance, awarding 120 prizes across 15 categories.
Conclusion
The 1964 Daimler Dart SP 250 combined a 2.5-litre hemispherical-head V8 engine, four-wheel disc brakes, and a lightweight fiberglass body mounted on a reinforced ladder chassis. Producing around 140 bhp and capable of approximately 120 mph, it offered competitive performance within a distinctive design framework. As Daimler’s sole postwar sports car and a rare British V8 roadster of its era, the SP 250 remains a notable and unconventional chapter in 1960s automotive history.
