Some project cars show up so often that people barely notice them anymore. A Daimler SP250 is definitely not one of those cars. This 1964 example listed on Facebook Marketplace out of Cicero, New York stands out simply because most enthusiasts will probably go years without seeing one in person. The seller is asking $18,000 for what they describe as a rare final-year SP250 project that has been sitting in storage for quite a while and will need a full restoration. Thanks for the tip, T.J.!
The SP250 occupies a strange and interesting place in British sports car history. Built by Daimler and powered by a V8 often nicknamed the “British Hemi,” these fiberglass-bodied roadsters were unlike almost anything else coming out of Britain during the late 1950s and early 1960s. This particular car is a 1964 model, which the seller notes was the final year for the SP250.
According to the listing, the car is equipped with its V8 engine featuring side-draft carburetors along with a four-speed manual transmission. The seller says the engine does run, though it is currently out of the car because restoration work had already begun at some point. The ad doesn’t suggest the project is close to completion, instead describing it honestly as something that still needs major work.
The seller specifically mentions the car will require a complete interior restoration. They also state that the fiberglass body and frame are in good shape, though no additional details are provided beyond that. As always with long-stored projects, interested buyers would probably want to inspect everything closely themselves.
A few extra parts are included as part of the deal too. The listing says the car comes with additional brightwork pieces and a factory hardtop, which could be meaningful considering how uncommon these cars have become. The seller also notes that it is a wire-wheel car and says parts availability for the SP250 is still reasonably good.
One thing that gives the ad a little personality is how attached the owner seems to be to the project. They openly admit they hate seeing the car sit unfinished and mention that if it doesn’t sell soon, they may simply continue the restoration themselves. That kind of emotional back-and-forth tends to happen with unusual projects people have owned for a long time.
The SP250 has always lived somewhat outside the mainstream collector market. It’s not an E-Type Jaguar or Austin-Healey 3000, but that’s part of the appeal for some enthusiasts. The styling, fiberglass construction, and V8 drivetrain give it a character all its own, and rarity alone usually guarantees conversation anywhere one appears.
This one clearly isn’t being sold as a turn-key classic. It’s a restoration project, and the seller makes that very clear throughout the listing. But for someone looking for a less-common British sports car with an interesting drivetrain and some unusual history behind it, projects like this don’t appear every day.
Reminds me of going down to the little pub down by the river and eating catfish.
The nose reminded me of the Studebaker with the catfish nose. Isn’t this the time period, that Studebaker was selling Mercedes in their dealerships here in the United States. Maybe the designers were sharing ideas. I know a Studebaker model at that time borrowed the Mercedes grill for one of their models.
Lots of coin for that one that needs twice that much to restore it…
RUFF!!
There’s one of these that’s a nice driver that needs paint and interior that has wonderful patina coming up for sale at the lucky collector car auction on June 6 in Tacoma, Washington at LeMay Marymount
Luckyoldcar.com
There’s one of these that’s a nice driver that needs paint and interior that has wonderful patina coming up for sale at the lucky collector car auction on June 6 in Tacoma, Washington at LeMay Marymount
Luckyoldcar.com
I had a 1960 Austin Healey 3000 in very good condition and my friend had a Daimler SP250 that was neading a fairly expensive restoration and I would have swapped him my Healey for his SP 250 in a heartbeat, purely for it’s V8 engine and rarity! I must admit that only it’s mother would have loved it but I just wanted it!
It was voted the ugliest car at the 1959 New York Auto Show (no joke). Jay Leno has one, so check out the video of it on his YouTube. The engine has a wonderful exhaust note.
I can see that. Of all the British sports cars of the era, the SP250 was the least attractive.
“Note From Seller: Not sure if I Really want to sell this car, that’s why I’m asking about 3x what it’s worth. As noted in my ad, even though there’s no pictures it does have an engine, which is the main attraction for these cars as they are monumentally ugly. Reminiscent of the old Israeli Sabra though the Sabra was much better looking. As mentioned in the ad, I’m not interested in actually doing restoration work but would entertain trade offers involving a far more desirable Jaguar. (Or perhaps a Prius?) The current patina is congruent with the overall aura of an SP250 making this car nearly show-ready. As was mentioned I don’t need to listen to stupid remarks – I’ve heard enough already since I bought this POS. And I don’t deal with crazy wives because mine is forcing me to get rid of this eyesore.”
One word Ben…..Plastic
There’s one of these down the road from me sitting along side an old body shop place. Every year I think to myself NY is eating this car that someone would probably like.
Track down the owner of the property and find out who owns it. Maybe do an onsite auction…
Many years ago, when cars for sale were still listed in newspapers, I went to see a SP250 described as needing work. It was located in an area of old-money mansions, and was priced within my budget.
An elderly woman told me she was selling it for her son, and lead me into the overgrown back yard. I was hoping it would be just dusty, parked in the shabby coach-house. Nope. She pointed to what looked like a small junk-pile under a tattered tarp, only then mentioning it had been crushed by a large tree several years ago. I lifted the tarp to reveal the shattered fiberglass body. I had a quick look under the hood to see a small 4 cylinder Triumph engine. I looked a little closer….. The smashed Dart body was sitting on a rotten TR3 frame.
A guy had one of these many many years ago in our (then) little home town, parked alongside house behind a large wooden gate under a carport. One morning the owner backed out of the garage and noticed the gate was ajar. He got out of his daily driver to close it and, in his words, his heart sank to his shoes-it was gone. He went back in the house and called the cops who found it on their way to take a report at his house-apparently the skid marks seen on the streets leading away from his place indicated that not only did they not have a clue as to its power and couldn’t drive it, they scared themselves silly trying to handle it, then abandoning it some blocks away from the house..
Hmm .. i got this beater car .. i think that i can sell it after watching mecum. Around 20 grand sounds perfect..
I hope it gets restored but at this price the artwork is sticking around for a long time .
Fyi; These sell running needing restoration for less.
This is basically a parts car at this point. It would take 3x the money (18K!!!?) to get this old gal back on her feet and you would still end up with a car that is worth 40K tops and it pristine condition. British halo roadster restorations are not for the faint of heart or wallet.
The engine was used in the Daimler 2.5 V8 and V8250, both being insertions of the Daimler V8 power unit into a Jaguar Mk II chassis & body. This proved to be the most successful model of any Daimler ever produced. But the engine was not considered to be worthy of further development or deployment, being superseded by other designs with larger HP or CI, and so it just died off as a failed and obscure mechanical cul-de-sac.
I hate it when your finger slips and adds two extra zeros to the asking price.
In 70, after leaving the army at Ft Irwin, I went to buy a car. A 356, late model, low mileage spridget, an Alfa, maybe something im not remembering and one of these were all $1k. Drove em all. Sp250 was fun, engine was impressive and I walked around it a few times looking at it.i drove off in an Alfa Giulia.
If you want to hear one of these marvelous little Hemi V8s tach-up, check out the episode of Jay Leno’s Garage where he reviews his perfect Daimler SP250.
My parents bought a new SP250 the Summer of ’63. I just turned 18, and 6-months earlier had purchased a ’55 Speedster — so I knew how long it took for a car that looked like this to grow on you (just like the Speedster).
With that V8 power I would borrow that Daimler a LOT — it definitely spoiled me.
A friend had 2 (now down to 1 in a garage next to mine) It needs total restoration also, but in much better shape than the one featured here. He would happily accept $18K for his. Stating parts are plentiful is a lie. I mean, if you are buying brake parts ok. But my buddy waited 2 years for the rear main crankshaft sealing rings. (Not a seal) He found a source for parts back in the New England area from a restorer that is trying to retire. The parts from him are reasonably priced. But not sure how long he is going to be around. A few parts are unobtainium in new. So used parts are the only way to go. These were SCCA class national champs for a few years running in the ’60s. Poor door hinges and latches were common. Cool cars with the ugly nose. Jaguar bought out British Daimer as they needed more production facilities. The SP250 was faster than the XKE. So the SP250 was killed. Ih, I almost forgot. Working on the engine was fun. It was well designed and interesting in the fact that the camshaft sits so high in the block. That the pushrods are almost horizontal! These engines love to rev!
No way was an SP 250 faster than an E Type Jaguar! The Daimler topped out at 122 mph and the Jag at 149 mph.
Daimler originally named it the Daimler Dart, but ran into copyright infringement claims from Chrysler, so it became the SP250.. A fiend of mine bought one that needed a new top and when he put the new top on it he couldn’t open the doors. It was not uncommon for the doors to come open on turns. Faster than an E-type? The Jaguar 3.8 XK i6 had 265 bhp and the Daimler 2.5 V8 had 140 bhp, so I don’t think so. It might have FELT faster with the self opening doors and the cowl shake, but definitely not faster. The Daimler 2.5 V8 was an Edward Turner design (he of Triumph Motorcycle engine fame) and a larger 4.5 L version was used in the Daimler Majestic Major and the stretched DR450 Limo version. Neither quite matched the bhp of the venerable XK engine.
The incredible Mr. Limpett
I guess he’s going to restore it then, because nobody in their right mind will pay 18K for this project. You’ll spend 30K to get it really nice, only to have it be worth maybe 40K. I’d buy one finished already for 42K.
What is the VIN or body #?