My dad bought one in New Zealand in 1961. It was "second hand" with 900 miles on the clock; the original owner was a short overweight accountant who sold it because he couldn't reach the pedals (his belly hit the steering wheel first). This car was my life as I grew up through my school years. I was the only one whose small hands and skinny arms could reach up from underneath to the nearly-impossible bolt that held the oil filter on. I knew how to tune the SUs to perfection, listening to the sound balance on the intakes at idle through a vacuum hose! You are right, though - the William Turner-designed 2548cc hemi-head V8 was a sheer gem. The car would pull from 4 mph (200 revs) to 120mph (6000 revs) IN TOP GEAR without complaining. And the sound! We did a panic stop from nearly-flat out once, when a truck turned in front of us in the distance - when the cloud of smoke dispersed there were two arrow-straight black lines - the Girling disks were that good. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! Ours was red, so of course it was faster than your one!
Beauty is in the eye f the beholder - I have always loved the look of the SP250! Factor in the sound of the engine and the ride it creates on a back road with the top down, how can you not love the car! I'm fortunate enough to own one, and wouldn't consider trading (or selling) it. It's sporty, it's reliable, it's refined, and It puts a huge smile on my face every time I'm behind the wheel!
You and me both, Tim. In 1961 my Mom sent my Dad out to buy a second car thinking he'd show up with a VW beetle but instead, he brought home this fabulous intensely LOUD fast amazing sports car with a V8, that actually had a back seat so the 3 of us kids (ages 6,4 and 2) could ride in it! From then on, our weekends were spent in our garage learning how to tune it, navigating for him in road rallies, watching him compete in hill climbs, or graduating to flagging for SCCA and eventually Formula 1 races at Watkins Glen. It was the beginning of a life on a race track and each and every one of us kids was hooked. My brother still owns that car and would never sell it either. There isn't a single one of us that doesn't have a broken-down sports car or 2 or 3 in our garage today.
I owned a late Dart in the UK and the tester is right: the little V8 is an absolute gem. I used the Dart as a pleasant open tourer and left the mad stuff to the Healey BN “M” model I owned. Neither of these cars cost me the fortunes they command today and as the grandson of a garage owner, I could indulge a little more favorably when picking out trades that came in for the Jaguars we sold.The Dart was quirky but unique and a classic many covet today.
Having had an early dart for many years . I never had the door fly open. Certainly there was some chassis flex, as when fitted with the factory hard top in the winter there was a noticable difference! When compared with the triumph tr of the period, because of the wonderful Turner designed v8 engine and all round disc brakes wind up windows and a good sized boot it was a far better car. So I would call it a very comfortable fast touring car of the period and also quite economical .
I love those Darts a proper quirky English car , I personally have a 1932 Ford Roadster ( original steel body ) that I fitted a 4.5 Daimler Hemi to , I converted it to Stromberg 97 carbs ( Traditional Hot Rod Carbs , made in England ) I also converted it to a T5 transmission which makes it a joy to drive , my red line in 7000 but I rarely get it up that high . Thanks for reviewing the Daimler Dart . Edward Turner , the Engine designer was a genius .
I once rode in a Daimler Dart that had a small block Chev 350 put in it. It could do wheel spins in each of the four gears from a stand still. It was the most frightening and thrilling experience of my life. Also why did the presenter not note that it had a fibreglass body? Surprising for the day.
I once got a lift in one of these, when I was a student, which was fitted with extra-soft tyres. In low clouds, scud, rain and mist I was hurled down Welsh country lanes without the tyres ever releasing their grip. Totally impressed with tyres, car, and driver . . .
Hey Jack, there is a guy out here in Australia, who had one of these and he significantly modified it for classic tarmac races (eg. Targa Tasmania) and the car proved itself to be a real weapon. He then did the same thing with an old Jensen CV8 and again it too was incredibly successful. So, I guess like many things you can make it work if you throw the right engineering and money at it. A side not to the Daimler/Jag story. Given that Jaguar bought out the Daimler company, and hence had that lovely little V8, they installed it into the MK 2 body (as I am sure you are aware), and again it just worked so well. Many years ago I got to drive both a Daimler 250 and a 2.4 Mk2. The Daimler felt better to drive and was so more relaxed. The Mk2 with its Moss box was not all that pleasant.
Ah, Jack... I had one of these back in the day. Traded for it straight-up for a TR-3B (that's the good one with the 2.2 engine and all-synchro gearbox) that had a bunch of period extras - Lehman side curtains, proper cloth top and tonneau, Lucas driving lights in the grill. The SP250 was a B model, I was told, and was a bit stiffer than the first ones, especially with the hardtop fitted. The roll-up windows and hardtop made it MUCH better in the winter than the TR (I lived in St Louis, MO at the time and it got cold and wet in the winter). I confess the catfish front end never appealed to me, but I removed the front bumper and the chrome grill and enlarged the opening a bit, which made it better. But this car was a real highway flyer, especially mine as it had been fitted with overdrive. After I re-cored the radiator and fitted an oil cooler, it would run 100mph all day and still deliver 20mpg. In those days (1963-ish), that was some serious motoring. Plus it had a large boot! Met my first ex-wife when I was driving the Daimler...but I never blamed the car for that mistake (she really was lovely, with a glorious bottom)!
Thanks for another great video. When I first became aware of these cars as a teen in the 60s, I thought the styling looked like a TR3 and TR4 got stuck in a malfunctioning Star Trek transporter and they got merged. :) Because of our love for V8s, IMHO, his car would have been quite a bit more successful if the styling was a more pleasing to the eye - I think it could have been seen as an early Cobra or Tiger.
Great video Jack. I had a school friend who turned up in one of these after he left school. If I remember rightly, it had a fibreglass body so the power to weight ratio was really good. At a time when driving from Colwyn Bay to Chester on the old A55 normally took about an hour, he held the record for doing it in half that time. Of course, in those days there were no speed cameras 😉
Fabulous!!! I've always loved these cars from the very first moment that I became aware of them - which was around the time they were introduced. I love the highly individual styling and the engine - and the sound..... really, what's not to like?
Daimler made a 4.5 litre version of that SP 2.5 litre V8 for use in the larger Daimler Majestic Major, just imagine how a Dart would have performed with a 4.5 litre engine under the hood! I used to rebuild SP250 engines back in the day, I got a reputation for reliable economical work and I did quite a lot of them. The V8 engine inside is like a 1960's Triumph motorcycle engine only better with a beautiful forged steel crank and super strong forged steel connecting rods, (in comparison to the iron crank and aluminium connecting rods of the motorcycle engines) which is hardly surprising as both engines were designed by the same man Mr Edward Turner, a man who in my opinion was an engine God and who ought to be worshipped by British motorcycle enthusiasts the world over in special Biker Churches 😋
@@retiredbore378 what Triumphs did you have then with steel connecting rods?, none of mine did nor any of the hundreds I worked on back in the day, they had steel big end caps, is that where you are getting confused?
Russ carpenter drag raced a rail with the Daimler 2.5 v8 Supercharged and running nitro it went 7.2 seconds at 180mph in the 1/ 4 mile in the 80's And another brit called Robin read also raced a rail with a bored out to 2600cc Daimler v8 running a super charger and nitro. In 1992, he ran a 6.81 at 189mph. So the bases of the engine had very good strength and engineering.
when I was a kid in the 70s my dad used to specialise in Jaguar & Daimler repairs. I always preferred the E-Type over the Dart in every way. now almost 60, I prefer the more excentric styling of the Dart even with that trout-pout
I've always liked these cars. I knew a guy at uni in the late 1960s who had one. And then, here in Australia in the late 1970s, one of my co-workers and his wife had one each. It was the beginning of the 20th century, Jack. The beginning of the 19th century was 1801.
I'm a Kiwi, who owned a Dart for several years, during my early twenties. I'm mid seventies, now. I was also a mechanic. It's basically a Triumph TR 2 or 3? chassis and transmission, with the already mentioned V8 motor. Clothed in a fibreglass body.. Performance wise. They were pretty much the next thing down from an E Type. But they tended to be a bit fragile. The Diffs, were prone to breaking their crown wheel carrier bearing mount. The gearbox, was prone to breaking the cluster shaft, I think? The chassis of mine developed a bad crack, amid ships. If you shod them with Radial Tyres, They had a habit of cracking the steel wheels.. The fiberglass had a habit of developing cracks. Often people. Fitted them with Mag wheels to stand radial tyres. As you pointed out. Rack and pinion Steering was fitted. Some people fitted Toyota Celica five speed all Sychro gearboxes. If you wanted it to be faster than an E Type. Apparently the 4.5 litre from the big Daimler saloons, was the same external size, and I'm told. Pretty much bolted straight in. I had lots of fun and some very quick trips Shhh,! around the country. But I don't think that they were really a very good vehicle.
I may be in a minority but I have always liked the Dart. I get why some did not like it''s looks but that engine is the ace perhaps not by American standards but I don't think you would need anymore power. Great review Jack even if you were a little squashed! 👍✍
Alway liked this car, very quirky styling, not quite british not quite American, very good engine though, my father had one briefly in the day, loved it to bits, for me the catfish grill works fine.
The dart had very large overriders fitted to the front bumper. these were spaced in very closely , giving it a rock guppy appearance. I f you take those off, and the badge bar and the extra lights you will find the looks are a lot cleaner. The clip up filler and the GB badge & Daimler script also make the car a lot more cluttered looking. Check out 451 EWU. A very good looking car.
I had one too, an automatic 'G' reg, if I remember correctly. Had to get rid of it as it was costing me a fortune in servicing with the brakes continually rusting up and rusting on the side lights on top of either front wing. The lighting fixture was welded on to the wing and mine corroded badly at the join. Shame as it was a lovely car otherwise.
Great to see an old British sports car on the channel. These and the MGs, the TRs, the XKs, the Healeys etc, they’re really endearing cars. Everyone should have one in their garage !
Like 2 cars fused together! Shame design not resolved better & engine used more. Looked a great & well loved example, good to see & hear it. Thanks Jack! 🙏🙏
The police have had some cool car's over the years! When I was at school they drove Cosworths.... Imagine seeing them in a little sports car seems quite funny! Great stuff as always Jack buddy 👍
1974, 18yo, I was caught speeding by cops in one of two (I found out later) supercharged Vauxhall saloons, on the outskirts of Edinburgh. These were not ordinary cars. I had a MK1 GT Cortina, tearing up the road trying to get to the TV for 9:00pm. Must've been doing 70mph in a 40 limit when they shot past as if I was standing still. It really did put me in a daze. They asked where I was going at such a speed, I told them. I wanted to get back for Monty Python's at 9:0'clock. They laughed...said 'We thought Monty Python was driving'. Booked, then let me go. When the court summons arrived they said I'd been going slower than I had been. Can't remember the speed they said, but unusual to be given such slack. Good result all things considered.
I knew an ex traffic superintendent who remembered these well. The biggest problem that they had apparently was that in those days policemen had to be over 6ft and burly. Getting in and out was a bit of a problem he reckoned.
Never forget seeing one of these rolled in a saloon race (NZ International motor racing weekend, mid 60s). The guy crawled out from underneath it, no roll cage or belts in those days. Fortunately it landed in a heavily grassed area.
I had one of the last ones sold in the US for a while. I loved it. Fast, smooth, and really quite comfortable for me even thought I'm a bit over 6 ft tall with a 34 inch inseam and long arms. It's one of maybe 3 cars I regret selling.
The engine was designed by Turner who also designed the Triumph motorbike engines. My MK II Daimler Jag was a delight, but my 3.8 was a beast. Before the 70 limit came in, I watched the fuel gauge go down like a minute hand at just over 130 mph (143 clock - they were always fast).
Curves where there should be straight lines and straight lines where there should be curves…..it’s a challenge to like. Not pretty at all but in lovely condition with a great engine. A near miss I’d say. Nice video as always Jack. These off the wall cars make great content and do remind us all of their existence… I think the Dart is the ginger step child of the 60’s car world though 😮
Greetings from Tucson, Arizona USA. I was in school in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1962 when I first saw the SP 250 and fell in luv and I still want one.
It's a shame your mic doesn't do justice to the exhaust note. It is the best sounding V8 ever, but I am biased because I grew up with one in the family. I came close to buying one earlier this year but threatened divorce stopped me!
Had the chance to drive one and loved it! A sporty tourer that could munch miles on Austrian mountain passes. BTW - when Jaguar overtook Daimler the put this engine in the MK2 and that was a real gem!
I was just a poor summer intern in 1979 at Ford Motor, Co., Body Engineering; but, (1) there was a couple of guys there who regretted parting with the British, 2 Seater autos of their youth. (2) Some internal, door side intrusion panels would have stiffened the body of the Dart with more hard core hinges & latches. (3) The Ford Fairmont had an upgraded, royal cousin, the Mercury Zephyr ('78 to '83). There were interior upgrades, added noise insulation, and other options ?? But one of the tricks they did on the Zepher underside of the chasis was to add spot welded channels that piggy backed the Fairmonts sheet metal. It had plenty of holes to keep weight down. I think that happened in 2 places & maybe 2 more with just flat braces. So 20 to 30 pounds could have fixed the problem. SEE "Monte Carlo" Braces & Bar to stiffen front end.
Ugly? Ever since I was a kid, I thought this was a great-looking car - always wished I could own one. And that V-8 - great sound as well as performance! I look at the 250/Dart this way: luckily she was pretty, and she made good music as well!
Father of a school friend of mine restored one of these in the 90s. Remember getting a ride in it one time. He was a copper so the police link kinda makes sense now lol
there was one in Schenectady New York, late 60s-70s, Bone, Ivory in color. we call the motor a Chrysler 383, it was a headturner. I had Land Rovers, MGBs, and BSAs, made me learn mechanics
Being retired I have often wondered how I could own a V8 and not have to pay ridiculous road tax. This would be the perfect answer. I think that it is certainly a strange car but one I could live with just for that engine. Great video. Thank you for making and sharing.
My grandfather had one of these from new (111CPE I think I remember). My brother and I used to drive around the private roads at his house. Grandpa's dictat was 'start off in fourth', some engine!
I drove ogeae a few years ago. Owner knew all about the bumpsteer and we had to avoid one badly maintained country lane. Absolute hoot to drive though and I loved the chunky gearchange - didn't the gearbox come from a tractor?
Exellent review of a car often overlooked. Oddly, cars like this are rarely given the beans these days, or even driven briskly. So performance and handling are less key. Careful with the script... Beginning of the 20th Century, not the 19th. As to the royals changing to R-R, I am told that that was in part due to the behaviour and vulgarity of Lady Docker. I have never read that in an authoritative book or journal, but it makes sense. The engine was also used in the V8 250, in a Jaguar saloon body. I am told it was quite the best Mk2 variant, although not sold as a manual. The Majestic Major engine (a 4.5 litre version of the V8) was apparently tried in a Jaguar saloon and tore the tarmac off the roads ... But Sir Bill spiked the project (according to legend) because it humbled the 3.8 XK lump. There are many versions of that story; all differ from the others and all are credible. Another excellent review. Personally I hate this car, but how dull life would be if we all admired the same things!
In about 1965 I had a “Spotters Guide to Automobiles”. In that guide was the Daimler SP 250. I fatally saw one (in your video) for the very first time.
You’re absolutely right about it all being about the engine. I loved the looks but it was uncomfortable and road holding pretty awful. I had mine rebuilt but fell out of love when I found that the engine was from a saloon. Not very different but not original. Crazy but I loved the engine noise!
Hello, that Dart has such a distinctive appearance and I remember them from the old days. The interior is very well done. The owner enjoys it, I'm sure.
I've had a couple of these, a lovely drive. On that one those spots and mesh guards do nothing for it. Also painted wires look better in my humble opinion. I think they're great cars but you want a B or c spec. Oodles of torque, just leave it in top, it'll even pull away from a standstill at idle.
I love these little cars! While I never owned one, your description is spot on. When Jaguar bought out Daimler (for the engine) and the chassis was strengthened, the death knell was delivered by the introduction for the E-type. Sir William saw no profit in having both the SP 250 and the E-type competing side by side. If memory serves me correctly, both cars were very close in price and the Jag was 10 times the car! Still, drop the front bumper (an option) and the car is so ugly it's cute! I did get the chance to drive one with the rack and pinion steering and it did put a smile on my face. They only made about 2,600 of these little V-8 Hemi powered cars. Here in the States you see them occasionally at the British car shows and they always bring a smile. Thanks for showing us this car.
...at the beginning of the 19th century... This would have been 1800 and so on. What you mean is the beginning of the 20th century, don't you? But indeed the company started at the end of the 19th century. Very nice video and I like this car (maybe because it is not a beauty but has some character).
A friend of mine put one of those V8 lumps in a Mk IV Cortina, which was quite some sleeper. It's not so much that it was insanely powerful (lively, but no match for a Sierra Cosworth, for instance) but it was incredible tractable, including being able to pull from 10mph to 110mph all in 4th gear.
So glad you took my advice and gave the Daimler Dart a review. Bucket seats next time.😊 Probably best described as a sports tourer, unless your too big to fit in it!
In 1980, my then current boss had one of these. I got a ride in it on the day I bought his MG Midget that the Dart replaced. And yes, I had the passenger door open on me in mid turn - much too my surprise. According to him it was normal, lucky to have me along to pull it shut so he didn't need to stop. A very quirky car, not what I would consider as a replacement for a good MGB as far as a touring car.
This Dart looks like a growling piranha ,with that sweet small and remarkable V8 under the hood! 👍 Such an interesting History! Thank you Jack Sir for the informative and entertaining Content as always✌
I remember when these first came out. I think the lines have aged well. But like so many cars of those days, ones like this seemed to just fade away. This one is a very classy example. Thanks for the video.
Jack, that is a beautiful car! I had a number of small British sports cars.... Vitesse, GT^ and a Sunbeam Alpine, but coveted the Dart, which I could never get my hands on. I now live in Africa and 4x4 territory.
I'm very surprised its FAT sister the Daimler Majestic Major has not been mentioned. It had a 4.5 litre Daimler Hemi V8 in it, and even for its size it was breathtaking re its speed. Edward Turner really did the magnificent job on these two engines. I've seen a 2.5 litre fitted to a Rover P6, that was an exceptional car.
A classic, old British sports car, and as you say Jack, "personality" it has a lot of that. -- The 2.5 V-8 sounds wonderful and works wonderful. They are rare in the US, I may have seen one once. -- It's distinctive, and in it's own class, stylish and a fast car too.
As it happens I saw one of these only yesterday locally while driving through Tavistock only in my similarly maligned Sc430! I always wondered why Daimler didn't restyle the front-end....
I had a Daimler 250 saloon a few years back, great engine, I saw one in a top fuelled dragster at Goodwood, it was making 1400 bhp, I spoke to the owner, the only change he’d made was fit TR6 flat top pistons, he’d done the maths and the crank could take 2000 bhp!, over engineered or what!!!!, no wonder they ran forever with the standard 140bhp 😁
I've always been attracted to quirkiness, still am, ask my wife! I owned a C spec SP250 in the 1970's and toured thousands of miles in her, both in the UK and abroard. Yes, the engine is a gem, creamy smooth, torquey and seemingly un-burstable. I do remember that the cooling system was stretched at times and one particular incident of going around the Rue Peripherique in Paris, in a traffic jam with the temperature gauge practically hitting the top stop, but with heater on full we managed to keep her from boiling. Fond memories, and my one enduring regret is in not having kept my Daimler, in my opinion she was a characterful gem!
Nice, thank you. I recall from that era that Daimler also made another car with a V8. The Daimler Majestic Major looked like the typical staid barge that the company was known for. Except it had a 4.5 litre V8, of 200+ bhp, that made the car into an absolute humdinger, faster accelerating than the Jaguar Mk10. As for Jaguars, I never worked out how Jaguar managed to sell any of their asthmatic Mk2 2.4's ( until they fitted a much reworked cylinder head, as I recall, and it became the 240 ), when there was the Daimler version of the Mk2 with the 2.5 V8 as here.
@@Suprahampton I is said that Jaguar evaluated a Daimler version of the Mk X/ 420G, fitted with the 4.5L Majestic Major engine, but chose not to after the Prototype noticeably outperformed Jaguars own 3.8L engines. Remember the 4.5 V8 was rated at "220hp", whereas the Jag 3.8 was rated at 265hp
Great review remember a Dart visiting us at school and very rare and quite cool. A Daimler was seen as superior to a Jag and probably equivalent to an Armstrong Siddely.
Neat car, saw one racing in the States in a local vintage series, not super fast but had presents. Disk brakes all four corners in the late 50's/early 60's? Had to look it up, yes it has Girling Discs on all four wheels.
When I was a kid, oh, about 1959 or '60, a teacher at the local high school (where my dad taught too) drove into our yard one sunny day with a spanking brand new maroon SP250. My dad had no idea what it was and did not really care given cars were just about as interesting as Snapper vs Lawnboy lawnmowers or Wonder vs Pumpernickle bread. But, me? Well, I collected bubble gum cards by the scores from baseball to football to cars. And I had a Daimler card, a rare and probably worth 25 cents SP250! Anyway, the teacher really was not a friend of my dad, and even at that young age, I assumed this rather wealthy young, braggadocio bachelor stopped by to impress. And my dad was not, which surely disappointed that proud new owner. He never returned. PS Even back then I thought these were ugly. But, now? Uniquely homely but with so so much character. I am sure somewhere in the quantum multiverse I too own one. In British racing green like the one here. :)
The engine was designed by Edward Turner who designed the Triumph Speed Twin 500 cc motorcycle. He used the cylinder dimensions, valve angles, etc from the Speed Twin for this engine,
I've only spotted two of these in my region of Ontario, Canada. Both between 2011 and 2017. The first one was the same colour as this example. It was too far away for me to examine so I was left scratching my head thinking through a list of what it is NOT. The choices of grill (snout) and tail fins, etc. just got in the way of making a conclusion based on anything I'd seen before. I do remember hearing the name "Daimler" used in TV shows of the 60's and 70's with police or toffs, e.g. "Bring 'round the Daimler," and knowing it would be a substantial car.
Edward Turner's 2.5L Hemispherical Head V-8 - this chap also designed Triumph motorcycle twin cylinder engines in the 50s, and I have heard the pistons from the 650cc Bonneville are used in this engine
Not quite. It is four triumph twin bike engines shoved together. Turner engines won Grand Prix bike races, he was moved from Triumph to Daimler and had to come up with a new engine.
I'm sad to say that the first time I ever became aware of this car was through Jay Leno's UA-cam channel. I say sad, because I was really quite taken with this car and it's quirky design and feel my Dad (who was first Generation Canadian born from Parents who immigrated from Shropshire just before WW2) who was captivated by British cars didn't inform me of it. Dad drove a Triumph TR3 which we sold when I was 5yrs old in 1972 just before my Brother was born. Anyway, back to the little Daimler, the chassis was originally taken from a TR3 I believe and that Edward Turner 2.5L Hemispherical Head V-8 was just a jewel of an engine one that should have found it's way into cars like the Triumph GT6 and the TR250 instead of the 2.5 6cylinder engine that Triumph was exercising at the time (one notably down on power from the 2.5 from the TR5). Can you imagine a sub 10 sec 0-60mph from the factory Triumph GT6, or a TR250 with a low slung V8 hurtling it down the road in the late 60's? As always Jack, a fantastic review, how about a TR3 or any of the others in Triumph's series of sports cars? I would have loved to had been an engineer in the mid 60's plotting to put a supercharged Turner 2.5L V8 into an early GT6 with a stiffened frame and compared it to the American 260ci and 289 ci V8's in the TVR Griffiths of the era. I seriously have dreams like this.
Excellent review of a car that had always puzzled me. I caught a fleeting glimpse of DB5 in one shot…the tail lights (not the wings), but only for a moment. Otherwise, I agree it looks more catfish than coach.
I have been enjoying Dart motoring since I was a teenager. Great cars & compare very favourably with any sports car of the era. Best road test by Mick Walsh in Classic & Sportscar headline 'Shock Horror it's a Great Car'
My dad bought one in New Zealand in 1961. It was "second hand" with 900 miles on the clock; the original owner was a short overweight accountant who sold it because he couldn't reach the pedals (his belly hit the steering wheel first). This car was my life as I grew up through my school years. I was the only one whose small hands and skinny arms could reach up from underneath to the nearly-impossible bolt that held the oil filter on. I knew how to tune the SUs to perfection, listening to the sound balance on the intakes at idle through a vacuum hose! You are right, though - the William Turner-designed 2548cc hemi-head V8 was a sheer gem. The car would pull from 4 mph (200 revs) to 120mph (6000 revs) IN TOP GEAR without complaining. And the sound! We did a panic stop from nearly-flat out once, when a truck turned in front of us in the distance - when the cloud of smoke dispersed there were two arrow-straight black lines - the Girling disks were that good. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! Ours was red, so of course it was faster than your one!
Beauty is in the eye f the beholder - I have always loved the look of the SP250! Factor in the sound of the engine and the ride it creates on a back road with the top down, how can you not love the car! I'm fortunate enough to own one, and wouldn't consider trading (or selling) it. It's sporty, it's reliable, it's refined, and It puts a huge smile on my face every time I'm behind the wheel!
You and me both, Tim. In 1961 my Mom sent my Dad out to buy a second car thinking he'd show up with a VW beetle but instead, he brought home this fabulous intensely LOUD fast amazing sports car with a V8, that actually had a back seat so the 3 of us kids (ages 6,4 and 2) could ride in it! From then on, our weekends were spent in our garage learning how to tune it, navigating for him in road rallies, watching him compete in hill climbs, or graduating to flagging for SCCA and eventually Formula 1 races at Watkins Glen. It was the beginning of a life on a race track and each and every one of us kids was hooked. My brother still owns that car and would never sell it either. There isn't a single one of us that doesn't have a broken-down sports car or 2 or 3 in our garage today.
I owned a late Dart in the UK and the tester is right: the little V8 is an absolute gem. I used the Dart as a pleasant open tourer and left the mad stuff to the Healey BN “M” model I owned. Neither of these cars cost me the fortunes they command today and as the grandson of a garage owner, I could indulge a little more favorably when picking out trades that came in for the Jaguars we sold.The Dart was quirky but unique and a classic many covet today.
Having had an early dart for many years . I never had the door fly open. Certainly there was some chassis flex, as when fitted with the factory hard top in the winter there was a noticable difference! When compared with the triumph tr of the period, because of the wonderful Turner designed v8 engine and all round disc brakes wind up windows and a good sized boot it was a far better car. So I would call it a very comfortable fast touring car of the period and also quite economical .
I love those Darts a proper quirky English car , I personally have a 1932 Ford Roadster ( original steel body ) that I fitted a 4.5 Daimler Hemi to , I converted it to Stromberg 97 carbs ( Traditional Hot Rod Carbs , made in England ) I also converted it to a T5 transmission which makes it a joy to drive , my red line in 7000 but I rarely get it up that high . Thanks for reviewing the Daimler Dart . Edward Turner , the Engine designer was a genius .
I have a 1928 Chev with a 2.5 Daimler hemi.. under construction, running a small supercharger and a th700
I once rode in a Daimler Dart that had a small block Chev 350 put in it. It could do wheel spins in each of the four gears from a stand still. It was the most frightening and thrilling experience of my life. Also why did the presenter not note that it had a fibreglass body? Surprising for the day.
Very true and an omission on my part!
But the steering wheel is on the wrong side!!
I once got a lift in one of these, when I was a student, which was fitted with extra-soft tyres. In low clouds, scud, rain and mist I was hurled down Welsh country lanes without the tyres ever releasing their grip. Totally impressed with tyres, car, and driver . . .
Hey Jack, there is a guy out here in Australia, who had one of these and he significantly modified it for classic tarmac races (eg. Targa Tasmania) and the car proved itself to be a real weapon. He then did the same thing with an old Jensen CV8 and again it too was incredibly successful. So, I guess like many things you can make it work if you throw the right engineering and money at it.
A side not to the Daimler/Jag story. Given that Jaguar bought out the Daimler company, and hence had that lovely little V8, they installed it into the MK 2 body (as I am sure you are aware), and again it just worked so well. Many years ago I got to drive both a Daimler 250 and a 2.4 Mk2. The Daimler felt better to drive and was so more relaxed. The Mk2 with its Moss box was not all that pleasant.
Ah, Jack... I had one of these back in the day. Traded for it straight-up for a TR-3B (that's the good one with the 2.2 engine and all-synchro gearbox) that had a bunch of period extras - Lehman side curtains, proper cloth top and tonneau, Lucas driving lights in the grill. The SP250 was a B model, I was told, and was a bit stiffer than the first ones, especially with the hardtop fitted. The roll-up windows and hardtop made it MUCH better in the winter than the TR (I lived in St Louis, MO at the time and it got cold and wet in the winter). I confess the catfish front end never appealed to me, but I removed the front bumper and the chrome grill and enlarged the opening a bit, which made it better. But this car was a real highway flyer, especially mine as it had been fitted with overdrive. After I re-cored the radiator and fitted an oil cooler, it would run 100mph all day and still deliver 20mpg. In those days (1963-ish), that was some serious motoring. Plus it had a large boot! Met my first ex-wife when I was driving the Daimler...but I never blamed the car for that mistake (she really was lovely, with a glorious bottom)!
Cars & Chicks, Chicks & Cars.
"she really was lovely, with a glorious bottom!" Was that in reference to the car, or the lady?
It would be great to see a picture of it! The Daimler is to some "challenging", but I do like it.
If it's got tires or tits, it's going to be a problem at some point.
@@savage22bolt32 //
Thanks for the laugh.
Thanks for another great video.
When I first became aware of these cars as a teen in the 60s, I thought the styling looked like a TR3 and TR4 got stuck in a malfunctioning Star Trek transporter and they got merged. :)
Because of our love for V8s, IMHO, his car would have been quite a bit more successful if the styling was a more pleasing to the eye - I think it could have been seen as an early Cobra or Tiger.
Great video Jack. I had a school friend who turned up in one of these after he left school. If I remember rightly, it had a fibreglass body so the power to weight ratio was really good. At a time when driving from Colwyn Bay to Chester on the old A55 normally took about an hour, he held the record for doing it in half that time. Of course, in those days there were no speed cameras 😉
Yes, they were a fibreglass bodyshell, and a pretty good quality and strength one too, when compared to other manufacturers. 😁
Fabulous!!! I've always loved these cars from the very first moment that I became aware of them - which was around the time they were introduced. I love the highly individual styling and the engine - and the sound..... really, what's not to like?
Daimler made a 4.5 litre version of that SP 2.5 litre V8 for use in the larger Daimler Majestic Major, just imagine how a Dart would have performed with a 4.5 litre engine under the hood! I used to rebuild SP250 engines back in the day, I got a reputation for reliable economical work and I did quite a lot of them. The V8 engine inside is like a 1960's Triumph motorcycle engine only better with a beautiful forged steel crank and super strong forged steel connecting rods, (in comparison to the iron crank and aluminium connecting rods of the motorcycle engines) which is hardly surprising as both engines were designed by the same man Mr Edward Turner, a man who in my opinion was an engine God and who ought to be worshipped by British motorcycle enthusiasts the world over in special Biker Churches 😋
He is !
There are at least a couple of Darts that have been converted to the 4.5 litre engine. here's one. ua-cam.com/video/fCHesXjOJT0/v-deo.html
@@ruongluesteve many thanks for the link
@@retiredbore378 what Triumphs did you have then with steel connecting rods?, none of mine did nor any of the hundreds I worked on back in the day, they had steel big end caps, is that where you are getting confused?
They should have used that engine in the Stag and in most Jaguars
Russ carpenter drag raced a rail with the Daimler 2.5 v8
Supercharged and running nitro it went 7.2 seconds at 180mph in the 1/ 4 mile in the 80's
And another brit called Robin read also raced a rail with a bored out to 2600cc Daimler v8 running a super charger and nitro.
In 1992, he ran a 6.81 at 189mph.
So the bases of the engine had very good strength and engineering.
when I was a kid in the 70s my dad used to specialise in Jaguar & Daimler repairs. I always preferred the E-Type over the Dart in every way. now almost 60, I prefer the more excentric styling of the Dart even with that trout-pout
I've always liked these cars. I knew a guy at uni in the late 1960s who had one. And then, here in Australia in the late 1970s, one of my co-workers and his wife had one each.
It was the beginning of the 20th century, Jack. The beginning of the 19th century was 1801.
I'm a Kiwi, who owned a Dart for several years, during my early twenties. I'm mid seventies, now. I was also a mechanic. It's basically a Triumph TR 2 or 3? chassis and transmission, with the already mentioned V8 motor. Clothed in a fibreglass body.. Performance wise. They were pretty much the next thing down from an E Type. But they tended to be a bit fragile. The Diffs, were prone to breaking their crown wheel carrier bearing mount. The gearbox, was prone to breaking the cluster shaft, I think? The chassis of mine developed a bad crack, amid ships. If you shod them with Radial Tyres, They had a habit of cracking the steel wheels.. The fiberglass had a habit of developing cracks. Often people. Fitted them with Mag wheels to stand radial tyres. As you pointed out. Rack and pinion Steering was fitted. Some people fitted Toyota Celica five speed all Sychro gearboxes. If you wanted it to be faster than an E Type. Apparently the 4.5 litre from the big Daimler saloons, was the same external size, and I'm told. Pretty much bolted straight in. I had lots of fun and some very quick trips Shhh,! around the country. But I don't think that they were really a very good vehicle.
I may be in a minority but I have always liked the Dart. I get why some did not like it''s looks but that engine is the ace perhaps not by American standards but I don't think you would need anymore power. Great review Jack even if you were a little squashed! 👍✍
The biggest problem I think they have is that the steering box is susceptible to damage.
Alway liked this car, very quirky styling, not quite british not quite American, very good engine though, my father had one briefly in the day, loved it to bits, for me the catfish grill works fine.
The dart had very large overriders fitted to the front bumper. these were spaced in very closely , giving it a rock guppy appearance. I f you take those off, and the badge bar and the extra lights you will find the looks are a lot cleaner.
The clip up filler and the GB badge & Daimler script also make the car a lot more cluttered looking. Check out 451 EWU. A very good looking car.
I love the looks! The styling is the best thing about it imo...even moreso now when cars are so bland and generic
I always liked the look of the Dart too . . . I wish there were cars around today that looked this distinctive..
I've owned a 1969 Daimler V8-250 saloon for 16 years and driven it 50,000 miles. The engine is a delight!
I had one too, an automatic 'G' reg, if I remember correctly. Had to get rid of it as it was costing me a fortune in servicing with the brakes continually rusting up and rusting on the side lights on top of either front wing. The lighting fixture was welded on to the wing and mine corroded badly at the join. Shame as it was a lovely car otherwise.
Great to see an old British sports car on the channel. These and the MGs, the TRs, the XKs, the Healeys etc, they’re really endearing cars. Everyone should have one in their garage !
I agree! I have one in mine 😁. '72 MGB GT, near mint cond, punching out 130 HP now, feels like 🎄🎅 morning every time I hop in
Jack, I’m surprised that you didn’t highlight the Darts unique built construction i.e. it’s body is fibreglass !
My first car as a young lad. Quite tricky to drive as you rightly say but the engine was great. He had a certain charm . Wish I had kept it 😮
Like 2 cars fused together! Shame design not resolved better & engine used more. Looked a great & well loved example, good to see & hear it. Thanks Jack! 🙏🙏
I quite like the look of this one, lovely interior and at only 5'6" I would fit in it.
It certainly divides opinion.
The police have had some cool car's over the years! When I was at school they drove Cosworths.... Imagine seeing them in a little sports car seems quite funny! Great stuff as always Jack buddy 👍
When I was at school in Enfield North London the police had these Daimler SP250.
The SD1 V8 Jam Sandwich was old bill motors in my youth
@@79devo Jam sandwich.... Now I haven't heard that term for a police car in a long time!
1974, 18yo, I was caught speeding by cops in one of two (I found out later) supercharged Vauxhall saloons, on the outskirts of Edinburgh. These were not ordinary cars.
I had a MK1 GT Cortina, tearing up the road trying to get to the TV for 9:00pm. Must've been doing 70mph in a 40 limit when they shot past as if I was standing still. It really did put me in a daze. They asked where I was going at such a speed, I told them. I wanted to get back for Monty Python's at 9:0'clock. They laughed...said 'We thought Monty Python was driving'. Booked, then let me go. When the court summons arrived they said I'd been going slower than I had been. Can't remember the speed they said, but unusual to be given such slack.
Good result all things considered.
I knew an ex traffic superintendent who remembered these well. The biggest problem that they had apparently was that in those days policemen had to be over 6ft and burly. Getting in and out was a bit of a problem he reckoned.
Never forget seeing one of these rolled in a saloon race (NZ International motor racing weekend, mid 60s).
The guy crawled out from underneath it, no roll cage or belts in those days. Fortunately it landed in a heavily grassed area.
I had one of the last ones sold in the US for a while. I loved it. Fast, smooth, and really quite comfortable for me even thought I'm a bit over 6 ft tall with a 34 inch inseam and long arms. It's one of maybe 3 cars I regret selling.
always been curious about these
what a beautiful noise
thanks for the look
The engine was designed by Turner who also designed the Triumph motorbike engines. My MK II Daimler Jag was a delight, but my 3.8 was a beast. Before the 70 limit came in, I watched the fuel gauge go down like a minute hand at just over 130 mph (143 clock - they were always fast).
Curves where there should be straight lines and straight lines where there should be curves…..it’s a challenge to like. Not pretty at all but in lovely condition with a great engine. A near miss I’d say. Nice video as always Jack. These off the wall cars make great content and do remind us all of their existence… I think the Dart is the ginger step child of the 60’s car world though 😮
Bruv really did review the fish car. 🤣🤣🤣 Love the green colour🙂
Greetings from Tucson, Arizona USA.
I was in school in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1962 when I first saw the SP 250 and fell in luv and I still want one.
It might not be very good...but i think it's very pretty to look at .. i like it a lot
It's a shame your mic doesn't do justice to the exhaust note. It is the best sounding V8 ever, but I am biased because I grew up with one in the family. I came close to buying one earlier this year but threatened divorce stopped me!
Had the chance to drive one and loved it!
A sporty tourer that could munch miles on Austrian mountain passes.
BTW - when Jaguar overtook Daimler the put this engine in the MK2 and that was a real gem!
And with the lighter engine (than an XK), the saloon car handled better.
@@street-level
Yes, and was also significantly faster too.
I still dream about having the 4.5 litre version in an E-type...
That is one I always wanted. Not many around here in the states. Not wort a ton but rarely do they change hands
I was just a poor summer intern in 1979 at Ford Motor, Co., Body Engineering; but, (1) there was a couple of guys there who regretted parting with the British, 2 Seater autos of their youth. (2) Some internal, door side intrusion panels would have stiffened the body of the Dart with more hard core hinges & latches. (3) The Ford Fairmont had an upgraded, royal cousin, the Mercury Zephyr ('78 to '83). There were interior upgrades, added noise insulation, and other options ?? But one of the tricks they did on the Zepher underside of the chasis was to add spot welded channels that piggy backed the Fairmonts sheet metal. It had plenty of holes to keep weight down. I think that happened in 2 places & maybe 2 more with just flat braces. So 20 to 30 pounds could have fixed the problem. SEE "Monte Carlo" Braces & Bar to stiffen front end.
Saw myself at 2.03 coming through other way
Great video as usual
Ugly? Ever since I was a kid, I thought this was a great-looking car - always wished I could own one. And that V-8 - great sound as well as performance! I look at the 250/Dart this way: luckily she was pretty, and she made good music as well!
I always liked it, anything good enough for Penelope Pitstop, is good enough for everyone 😀
Intriguingly charming in its own idiosyncratic ways. Despite its odd styling, it does make it quite striking and distinctive. Thanks and God bless.
Father of a school friend of mine restored one of these in the 90s. Remember getting a ride in it one time. He was a copper so the police link kinda makes sense now lol
there was one in Schenectady New York, late 60s-70s, Bone, Ivory in color. we call the motor a Chrysler 383, it was a headturner. I had Land Rovers, MGBs, and BSAs, made me learn mechanics
Being retired I have often wondered how I could own a V8 and not have to pay ridiculous road tax. This would be the perfect answer. I think that it is certainly a strange car but one I could live with just for that engine. Great video. Thank you for making and sharing.
When I was growing up in England I deampt of owning a Dart but neer happened. I really enjoyed your review thanks Jack
Good to see a pristine Dart. Something you nearly never seen here in The Netherlands. It is still a very odd car, but also shows some appeal
My grandfather had one of these from new (111CPE I think I remember). My brother and I used to drive around the private roads at his house. Grandpa's dictat was 'start off in fourth', some engine!
I drove ogeae a few years ago. Owner knew all about the bumpsteer and we had to
avoid one badly maintained country lane. Absolute hoot to drive though and I loved the chunky gearchange - didn't the gearbox come from a tractor?
Exellent review of a car often overlooked.
Oddly, cars like this are rarely given the beans these days, or even driven briskly. So performance and handling are less key.
Careful with the script... Beginning of the 20th Century, not the 19th.
As to the royals changing to R-R, I am told that that was in part due to the behaviour and vulgarity of Lady Docker. I have never read that in an authoritative book or journal, but it makes sense.
The engine was also used in the V8 250, in a Jaguar saloon body. I am told it was quite the best Mk2 variant, although not sold as a manual.
The Majestic Major engine (a 4.5 litre version of the V8) was apparently tried in a Jaguar saloon and tore the tarmac off the roads ... But Sir Bill spiked the project (according to legend) because it humbled the 3.8 XK lump. There are many versions of that story; all differ from the others and all are credible.
Another excellent review.
Personally I hate this car, but how dull life would be if we all admired the same things!
The Daimler V8 250 was made with a manual gearbox but only for a limited time and they are rare cars
In about 1965 I had a “Spotters Guide to Automobiles”. In that guide was the Daimler SP 250. I fatally saw one (in your video) for the very first time.
You’re absolutely right about it all being about the engine. I loved the looks but it was uncomfortable and road holding pretty awful. I had mine rebuilt but fell out of love when I found that the engine was from a saloon. Not very different but not original. Crazy but I loved the engine noise!
Hello, that Dart has such a distinctive appearance and I remember them from the old days. The interior is very well done. The owner enjoys it, I'm sure.
Jack, thank you for yet ANOTHER magnificent video you are DEFINATELY at the top of your game !
Wow, thanks!
Dear Jack I am no fan boy but I DO recognise top class content ! You are the Boss and have a most winning personality ! Bless you, my Man !
They were raced lots in New Zealand and Australia in the 1960s - One actually won a 6 hour race at Bathurst, doors flying out all the way!
I've never seen a Daimler Dart SP250 in the USA. However it's an interesting car with a good story. I would love to own this car!
I have a right hand drive one in the US and I am looking to sell it.
@@gordonhill2112 I am not interested in a right hand drive. Thanks for the offer.🙂
The Daimler Dart Club used to meet at the White Lion in Cobham Surrey on Thursday evenings. I saw them many times.
I've had a couple of these, a lovely drive. On that one those spots and mesh guards do nothing for it. Also painted wires look better in my humble opinion. I think they're great cars but you want a B or c spec. Oodles of torque, just leave it in top, it'll even pull away from a standstill at idle.
Just to confirm that it is a B-Spec car and the doors have never sprung open!
@@stevenbrown9691 Never happened to either of mine either, one B spec the other C spec. Nice cars if you like to be a bit different.
I love it, an acquaintance of mine had one, he had it worked over and it went like a cut cat!
I love these little cars! While I never owned one, your description is spot on. When Jaguar bought out Daimler (for the engine) and the chassis was strengthened, the death knell was delivered by the introduction for the E-type. Sir William saw no profit in having both the SP 250 and the E-type competing side by side. If memory serves me correctly, both cars were very close in price and the Jag was 10 times the car! Still, drop the front bumper (an option) and the car is so ugly it's cute! I did get the chance to drive one with the rack and pinion steering and it did put a smile on my face. They only made about 2,600 of these little V-8 Hemi powered cars. Here in the States you see them occasionally at the British car shows and they always bring a smile. Thanks for showing us this car.
The E-Type was about 50% more expensive than the Daimler, at least in the Uk it was.
@@stevenbrown9691 About 25% less in the US.
Jay Leno own's one and did a great job of restoring it. Interesting baby Hemi V8.
...at the beginning of the 19th century... This would have been 1800 and so on. What you mean is the beginning of the 20th century, don't you? But indeed the company started at the end of the 19th century.
Very nice video and I like this car (maybe because it is not a beauty but has some character).
Cool! Thanks for the ride
Quentin Willson has one of these. The V8 engines are very, very strong and very tuneable. Drag racers loved them.
Wonderful little car haven't seen one in years at the start of the test my eyes didn't know where to look odd angles everywhere by end I love it 😁
Interesting car. Some are going to say that this is sacrilege but they look much better without the front bumper...
3:38 Police Dart, with that great big bell that I remember seeing on Wolseleys. Probably not as effective a warning as two-tone, but full of class.
Great video! There's very little out there about this intriguing little car and this satisfied my curiosity about it. 👍👏
A friend of mine put one of those V8 lumps in a Mk IV Cortina, which was quite some sleeper. It's not so much that it was insanely powerful (lively, but no match for a Sierra Cosworth, for instance) but it was incredible tractable, including being able to pull from 10mph to 110mph all in 4th gear.
So glad you took my advice and gave the Daimler Dart a review. Bucket seats next time.😊 Probably best described as a sports tourer, unless your too big to fit in it!
In 1980, my then current boss had one of these. I got a ride in it on the day I bought his MG Midget that the Dart replaced. And yes, I had the passenger door open on me in mid turn - much too my surprise. According to him it was normal, lucky to have me along to pull it shut so he didn't need to stop. A very quirky car, not what I would consider as a replacement for a good MGB as far as a touring car.
"At the beginning of the nineteenth century...." Daimler was even further ahead of his time than I supposed!
I was at the 1959 NY auto show as a youngster. I must have seen it but don't remember. I do remember the beauty contest winner that was there.
My mum and dad had a Spec A that was upgraded to a Spec B. I can just about remember it. They loved it and always regretted selling it.
Looks beautiful in that red with the wires.
This Dart looks like a growling piranha ,with that sweet small and remarkable V8 under the hood! 👍
Such an interesting History!
Thank you Jack Sir for the informative and entertaining Content as always✌
I remember when these first came out. I think the lines have aged well. But like so many cars of those days, ones like this seemed to just fade away. This one is a very classy example. Thanks for the video.
Jack, that is a beautiful car! I had a number of small British sports cars.... Vitesse, GT^ and a Sunbeam Alpine, but coveted the Dart, which I could never get my hands on. I now live in Africa and 4x4 territory.
I'm very surprised its FAT sister the Daimler Majestic Major has not been mentioned. It had a 4.5 litre Daimler Hemi V8 in it, and even for its size it was breathtaking re its speed.
Edward Turner really did the magnificent job on these two engines. I've seen a 2.5 litre fitted to a Rover P6, that was an exceptional car.
Such a great looking car had fabulous sound
A classic, old British sports car, and as you say Jack, "personality" it has a lot of that. -- The 2.5 V-8 sounds wonderful and works wonderful. They are rare in the US, I may have seen one once. -- It's distinctive, and in it's own class, stylish and a fast car too.
As it happens I saw one of these only yesterday locally while driving through Tavistock only in my similarly maligned Sc430! I always wondered why Daimler didn't restyle the front-end....
I had a Daimler 250 saloon a few years back, great engine, I saw one in a top fuelled dragster at Goodwood, it was making 1400 bhp, I spoke to the owner, the only change he’d made was fit TR6 flat top pistons, he’d done the maths and the crank could take 2000 bhp!, over engineered or what!!!!, no wonder they ran forever with the standard 140bhp 😁
I've always been attracted to quirkiness, still am, ask my wife!
I owned a C spec SP250 in the 1970's and toured thousands of miles in her, both in the UK and abroard. Yes, the engine is a gem, creamy smooth, torquey and seemingly un-burstable.
I do remember that the cooling system was stretched at times and one particular incident of going around the Rue Peripherique in Paris, in a traffic jam with the temperature gauge practically hitting the top stop, but with heater on full we managed to keep her from boiling.
Fond memories, and my one enduring regret is in not having kept my Daimler, in my opinion she was a characterful gem!
Nice, thank you. I recall from that era that Daimler also made another car with a V8. The Daimler Majestic Major looked like the typical staid barge that the company was known for. Except it had a 4.5 litre V8, of 200+ bhp, that made the car into an absolute humdinger, faster accelerating than the Jaguar Mk10. As for Jaguars, I never worked out how Jaguar managed to sell any of their asthmatic Mk2 2.4's ( until they fitted a much reworked cylinder head, as I recall, and it became the 240 ), when there was the Daimler version of the Mk2 with the 2.5 V8 as here.
The MK2 or S-Type with the 4.5 V8 would be interesting
@@Suprahampton I is said that Jaguar evaluated a Daimler version of the Mk X/ 420G, fitted with the 4.5L Majestic Major engine, but chose not to after the Prototype noticeably outperformed Jaguars own 3.8L engines. Remember the 4.5 V8 was rated at "220hp", whereas the Jag 3.8 was rated at 265hp
Great review remember a Dart visiting us at school and very rare and quite cool. A Daimler was seen as superior to a Jag and probably equivalent to an Armstrong Siddely.
Beautiful V8 sound, among my favourite sounds, including a Harley Sportster and a toddler giggling.😊
Not exactly Patrician tastes...
What a beautiful sound. I must be the odd man out as I've never found them ugly.
Neat car, saw one racing in the States in a local vintage series, not super fast but had presents. Disk brakes all four corners in the late 50's/early 60's? Had to look it up, yes it has Girling Discs on all four wheels.
Great looking car, even better in police livery
Years ago I was overtaken by a Daimler Dart on the M5 motorway. Its number plate was FU2.
When I was a kid, oh, about 1959 or '60, a teacher at the local high school (where my dad taught too) drove into our yard one sunny day with a spanking brand new maroon SP250. My dad had no idea what it was and did not really care given cars were just about as interesting as Snapper vs Lawnboy lawnmowers or Wonder vs Pumpernickle bread. But, me? Well, I collected bubble gum cards by the scores from baseball to football to cars. And I had a Daimler card, a rare and probably worth 25 cents SP250!
Anyway, the teacher really was not a friend of my dad, and even at that young age, I assumed this rather wealthy young, braggadocio bachelor stopped by to impress. And my dad was not, which surely disappointed that proud new owner. He never returned.
PS Even back then I thought these were ugly. But, now? Uniquely homely but with so so much character. I am sure somewhere in the quantum multiverse I too own one. In British racing green like the one here. :)
The engine was designed by Edward Turner who designed the Triumph Speed Twin 500 cc motorcycle. He used the cylinder dimensions, valve angles, etc from the Speed Twin for this engine,
At 5:08 you can see the chassis flex where the door meets the rear wing/fender. Neat car though, sweet engine what with those front mounted SU carbs.
I spotted one a couple years ago but what's going on with the fleet - Ferrari, Lotus, Pug et al ?? 🙏
I've only spotted two of these in my region of Ontario, Canada. Both between 2011 and 2017. The first one was the same colour as this example. It was too far away for me to examine so I was left scratching my head thinking through a list of what it is NOT. The choices of grill (snout) and tail fins, etc. just got in the way of making a conclusion based on anything I'd seen before.
I do remember hearing the name "Daimler" used in TV shows of the 60's and 70's with police or toffs, e.g. "Bring 'round the Daimler," and knowing it would be a substantial car.
at least the fiberglass body didn't rust away on our Ontario salt-ways like other British cars, eh?
Edward Turner's 2.5L Hemispherical Head V-8 - this chap also designed Triumph motorcycle twin cylinder engines in the 50s, and I have heard the pistons from the 650cc Bonneville are used in this engine
Not quite. It is four triumph twin bike engines shoved together. Turner engines won Grand Prix bike races, he was moved from Triumph to Daimler and had to come up with a new engine.
I love quirky looking cars. It has a nice exhaust note. I would love to have one. The chances of seeing one over here in the States.
I'm sad to say that the first time I ever became aware of this car was through Jay Leno's UA-cam channel. I say sad, because I was really quite taken with this car and it's quirky design and feel my Dad (who was first Generation Canadian born from Parents who immigrated from Shropshire just before WW2) who was captivated by British cars didn't inform me of it. Dad drove a Triumph TR3 which we sold when I was 5yrs old in 1972 just before my Brother was born. Anyway, back to the little Daimler, the chassis was originally taken from a TR3 I believe and that Edward Turner 2.5L Hemispherical Head V-8 was just a jewel of an engine one that should have found it's way into cars like the Triumph GT6 and the TR250 instead of the 2.5 6cylinder engine that Triumph was exercising at the time (one notably down on power from the 2.5 from the TR5). Can you imagine a sub 10 sec 0-60mph from the factory Triumph GT6, or a TR250 with a low slung V8 hurtling it down the road in the late 60's? As always Jack, a fantastic review, how about a TR3 or any of the others in Triumph's series of sports cars? I would have loved to had been an engineer in the mid 60's plotting to put a supercharged Turner 2.5L V8 into an early GT6 with a stiffened frame and compared it to the American 260ci and 289 ci V8's in the TVR Griffiths of the era. I seriously have dreams like this.
I was going to bring up the Edward Turner link but you beat me to it!!
@@couttsy222 Sorry my Friend, you can call it next time and I'll keep quiet.
@@canucklehead0 -- I'll hold you to that 😁 🤣😂🤣😂
Excellent review of a car that had always puzzled me. I caught a fleeting glimpse of DB5 in one shot…the tail lights (not the wings), but only for a moment. Otherwise, I agree it looks more catfish than coach.
I have been enjoying Dart motoring since I was a teenager. Great cars & compare very favourably with any sports car of the era. Best road test by Mick Walsh in Classic & Sportscar headline 'Shock Horror it's a Great Car'