- Seller: Ann C (Contact)
- Location: Edgewater, New Jersey
- Mileage: 16,000 Shown
- Chassis #: 1A7339BW
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 305cui V8
- Transmission: Automatic
Daimler is Britain’s oldest automotive manufacturer and was once one of the country’s premier brands. They were even the official automobile of choice for the British Royal Family. These days, many of you may not be aware that the brand existed or that its name was still being used on British automobiles not that long ago. We had the joy of reviving a Daimler SP250, and it was a fun car. So, when this 1965 Daimler V8 2.5 Saloon came in, we were happy to have the opportunity to find a good home for it. You don’t often see these cars, especially here in the United States.
After losing its endorsement from the Monarchy in the 1950s, Daimler struggled to find its place in the market. Seeing the success of Triumph and MG in the sports car market, especially in the United States, Daimler decided to enter the sports car arena. They developed their own hemispherical-head V8 engine to fit in a sports car. The engine was smooth running, provided solid performance, and offered the kind of growl you’d expect from an American Muscle Car. The engine was initially used in their sports car, the Dart or SP250, and later in their saloon cars.
While not as stately or opulent as their older vehicles, these V8 Saloons are well-built and nicely appointed. This one is going to need some interior work. Thankfully, it’s intact and appears to be original. Jaguar owned Daimler by this point, so the interior is shared with the Jaguar Mark 2, which should make finding trim easier. Incredibly, the woodwork looks to be in decent condition overall.
The V8 2.5 and the Mark 2 are nearly identical, with the Daimler essentially being the more upscale option. The most significant difference is the engine. The Daimler V8 is a great engine, but finding parts to repair it can be a bit challenging. While service parts are available, items such as water pumps and coolant hoses can be tricky and/or expensive to find. That won’t be much of an issue with this example, though, as its original engine has been replaced with a Chevrolet 305 V8. The Chevy might lack the character of the Daimler V8, but it offers similar power output and weighs about the same, so it should provide a comparable experience. And it has the added benefit of being affordable to repair and maintain. The seller notes that the engine runs as is, but that this is a project car.
The seller has had this Daimler since 2011 and has put a few thousand miles on it. At some point during its life, it was used in movies, which might not add value, but definitely makes it a bit more interesting! Daimler is one of those brands that deserves more recognition than it typically gets. While these later examples are more Jaguar than Daimler, they are fun to drive and relatively rare. This one needs some work, but would be a great project. Please take a closer look at the professional photos below (high-resolution images available here) and feel free to leave any questions you have in the comment section.
Bid On This Auction
Jeffrey's car bid $2,250.00 2025-06-30 13:26:09
Escargot42 bid $2,000.00 2025-06-28 09:13:09
Sco3racyn bid $1,500.00 2025-06-27 13:17:33- Jeffrey's car bid $600.00 2025-06-25 12:39:24
Anders bid $500.00 2025-06-25 10:42:39- Jeffrey's car bid $200.00 2025-06-25 09:39:09
Even though our British cousins are probably cringing and loyalty violated, for us Yanks, this makes the most sense. Here you have the beautiful designs, inside and out, and the best we had for power, a SBC. The Brits may not see it that way, stiff upper lip and all, there is something to be said about what powered these cars originally. Practically a masterpiece all its own, to be tossed aside like a bag of rubbish? Quick, the smelling salts, mate. Pretty sure the Daimler was not quite a Caddy to them, but it was surely a Buick or Olds, more so now with the SBC, and no shame in that. Someone did a nice job here.
Hi Howard.
I bought the car in 2011 to work on the film, Pan Am. They needed RHD cars. I had no issue with a newer motor under the hood (I believe it had been replaced in the ’90s). Worked out well having a newer engine and a classic exterior!
No Daimler engine? A 305? I don’t want to call this car worthless, but…
Went to the trouble of swapping in a Chevy V8 and chose a 305! LOL!
Had it on hand I imagine.
No idea why it was replaced. I bought her in 2011 and had been replaced prior. Was a + for me.
Seller couldn’t be bothered to air up the tires before taking the photos? The interior looks like the car was not left outside, but current location is not ideal. Reminds me of an ad I read for an old Volvo years ago that ended with the statement, “easy to mow around”.
I guess it was easy to mow around. They cut the lawn the morning of photos.
What’s the red car in one picture?
2017 Jaguar F-type convertible. Yes, I’m a glutton for punishment. She’s my 7th Jag.
Daimler seats were different, almost a split bench in front and much narrower pleats, this has worn out Jaguar seats, it is still showing up as UK registered and last on UK roads in 1984!
There’s a plaque showing that the entire car has been redone in the ’90s. I bought her in 2011 and hadn’t made any of those changes.
Its your car and descion(s) Ann. Do what YOU want to do with it. This is still America.
Having been involved with an SP250 restoration. I have a deep appreciation for that stock Hemi 2,500 cc V8 engine. Designed I believe by the same guy who designed the Ariel Square 4 engine. When working on the engine it is cool to see almost horizontal push rods, as the camshaft is very high in the block. The engine is very beefy in the right areas and was good for realitivly (for the times) high RPM on a regular basis. In England the SP250 was called the British Corvette because of the V8 and fiberglass body. Just like the Jag, I love the design of the front half and hate the design of the back half. (the XJ Jag body style hits me the same way) I understand the reason for the engine swap. And the 305 really isn’t a power upgrade. Although the transmission probably is.
I’ve often wondered what that engine would be like in a Super 7 kit. I suspect modern I4s make quite a bit more power, these days, though.
Edward Turner, of Triumph motorcycle engine fame, designed the 2.5 Hemi engine for the Daimler Dart and also a 4.5 version used in the DQ 450 Majestic Major and the DR 450 Daimler limo. The dart name ran afoul of the Dodge Dart name registration and Daimler had to change the name to the SP250. The last V8 Majestic Major and Limo were marketed in 1967 as I believe was the Jaguar bodied Daimler 250 with the Turner designed 2.5 V8.
Thanks Phil!
This Saloon is certainly safer than the ones you’d find in the Old West. No one’s going to yell “draw” while you’re enjoying the local rot-gut then the barkeep drops behind the bar. As for this car, since they went the SBC route, why didn’t they go whole-hog and drop a 383 stroker in it?. Not only would it still have the old British charm, it would be a lot more fun to drive.
The SBC would completely change the character of the car, but understandable on this side of the pond where restoration costs of the original 2.5 would be very expensive, even if you could find someone to competently do it. At least the car survives. And yes, if going the SBC route, there would have been better options.
Rust everywhere you can see, and likely where you cannot, an interior that needs a total rebuild and a sunroof that fits worse than a WALMART toupee. No thanx!
I love these cars. Just so elegant and majestic. In true England fashion its raining as they make the videos. The 305 v8 is a bummer and I would rather have the original engine but this may be a fun car to tinker with. Rust is there and with any British car rust is the achilles heal. But if bought for a good price this could be a fun project to work on.
My route with this car would be because of the hideous folding fabric sun roof go the Vicarage Carriage company conversion. So it becomes a convertible chrome wire wheels, the Edward Turner V8 type engine fitted. I think dark blue paint with pale blue interior. My only criticism of the VC conversion is it becomes a two door which is as it should be but using the saloons front doors without lengthening them looks not quite right. However can only dream. Keep smiling regards too all Roger.