Daimler SP250 C

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Aimed squarely at the American market, the Dart was launched at the 1959 New York Motor Show but soon renamed SP250 after Chrysler trademarked ‘Dart’ for Dodge. It featured a quirky GRP body of curves, bulges and fins.

Built on a traditional ladder chassis with independent coil-and-wishbone front suspension and leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle, it had modern disc brakes and four-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh. What really grabbed the attention though was the magnificent 2.5-litre Hemi-head V8 designed by Edward Turner; a lightweight marvel of refinement and flexibility emitting a fabulously fruity exhaust note.

In initial ‘A’ series form the car was criticized for an over-flexible chassis but Jaguar’s improved 1960 ‘B’ spec boasted a stiffened frame, thicker bodywork and other improvements. In ‘63 the further improved ‘C’ series featured improved trim and a heater. Production finished in 1964 after just 2,645 examples had been sold, mostly to America.

Ordered in February 1963 by Walker & Ward of Cheltenham in Mountain Blue, this early ‘C-spec’ car was registered in May ’63. The car has been in its current father and son ownership since 1983 although has recently sat unused in dry storage for the last 5 years or so.

The car starts, runs and drives and bar the paint flake (typical of Mountain blue) remains in surprisingly original and sound condition. After its slumber, some remedial works to the clutch and carbs were required along with fitment a new ignition switch.

7032 DF is a highly original example of this rare and fruity V8 which could be lovingly restored to its former glory or simply used and improved over time. The history file contains the V5C, old style V5 and one old MOT dated June 2002 showing just 53,686 miles with but a few covered since then.