In the world of British barn finds, most of the cars we see pulled out of sheds and garages are MGs, Austin Healeys, and Jaguars. Rarely do we see a Daimler SP250 pop out of the woodshed, which the seller claims has been sitting since 1977. The SP250 was a slick bag of tricks, equipped with a 2.5-litre hemi-head V8 mill that an outstanding-for-its-time 140 b.h.p. This example even has what must be a near impossible to find removable hardtop. The Daimler is listed here on eBay for $8,999.
The SP250 had to have been a trip when it rolled onto our shores, taking cues from American design while still a decidedly British creation. If a British car meet was held in the 1960s, I have to imagine the MG Midget was quaking in its humble, pint-sized radials when an SP250 rolled up. The fascination with hardtops on convertibles is one I’ve always enjoyed, mainly because the factory-style hardtop is one of the hardest pieces of kit to find – and seeing a car like this emerge with such a rare accessory intact is sure to make some SP250 fans’ mouths water.
The body looks surprisingly solid, and while these listing photos are not nearly enough to make a judgement call on, all signs point to this SP250 being worthy of restoration. That’s why it’s slightly concerning that the seller claims in the listing that he’s willing to sell parts off of it, and that would be a terrible fate when you consider how long this car has been hidden away and managed to emerge mostly intact. I’m no bodywork expert, but that paint looks original to me.
Now, here’s a curious photo: a pair of bucket that seats that look like they’ve been recently reupholstered. This may suggest that the Daimler was under a restoration of sorts before the project hit a wall, or an owner lost interest. The seller doesn’t elaborate as to whether he found these in the car or in the garage, but it bodes well for potentially finding other useful spares in its hiding place. The price seems acceptable for an unusual sports car like this; do you think $9K is a fair ask for a project?
Hmm, this wouldn’t have anything to do with BFs SP250 now, would it? 2 in a week, must be a pretty popular car, no? No,, I’ll repeat my message not to sell the BFs SP, but people don’t listen. They buy new Kia Souls, for heavens sake. This makes the BFs one look pretty sweet, I doubt the staffs intent, but I all but guarantee there will be remorse after the sale, if you can live with that. Doesn’t hit you at the time, as as a younger person, so many other things need more attention, it’s when all those things are done and you have the time, I can hear it now, “I should have kept the SP”,,,It’s one of those cars that one just doesn’t see often.
Howard, Being an old timer I have seen a lot of cars I used to own become very desirable years later. I wish I still had my 63 XKE, 68 GTO, and 64 Malibu SS Convertible, to name a few. HOWEVER, scarcity does not always determine value. I appreciate British cars, but the SP 250 is just plain awkwardly designed (in my opinion). Other similar stories go with the lack of popularity such as the Edsel, MG midgets, and maybe even the Corvair. Life is shor…. I say sell it and move on.
Agree with what you say but including the MG Midget in the list doesn’t really make sense as they are still popular and available in many publications. I too wondered how many pints it took to design this car.
Hi 914, well, you may step on a few toes with that list, but I agree to an extent. I mean no disrespect, but it takes more than just an “appreciation for British cars” to understand what the SP250 is to someone who bleeds BRG. I read, in the late 50s, demand for British roadsters in the US went up a whopping 170%!! Which kind of bolsters what I’ve said all along. Hemmings did a great writeup on the SP250, and was a radical departure from a company known for limousines. It was the motor that was Britains own V8, designed and built in house. It has very little in common with “our” hemi. Originally, supposed to be a 4 door sedan, they went with a modified TR3 and fiberglass body, unheard of for the Brits at the time. When Jag bought Daimler in 1960, the SP was considered competition for the new E type and was dropped.
The cars you mention were still quite popular cars, appealing to a large number of people. SP250s only had a handful of followers that had some sort of connection, everyone else bought the cars you mention.
I don’t know why but I’ve always though these are but ugly. Just my opinion.
Bad lighting and mice infested .
Put it on a lift or on the trailer again and snap some underneath shots.
A video also works on a walk around showing interior, dash , engine , floor pan etc.
The no title doesn’t selling 9 grand pricing.
Compare to this: https://barnfinds.com/bf-auction-1959-daimler-sp250/
price is way out of line.
That front end reminds me of my ex wife…🤪
Money was burning a hole in my pocket 10 years ago and I passed on one in running condition but lots of rust for $18,000. Trunk floor was plywood, rot not rust. Owner believed it was original. Owner had bought it at a charity auction for $6000 10 years before.
The only part that can rust out on these is the frame. The entire body is fiberglass.
And yet, you married her…
About 10 years ago I found an almost identical SP250, complete with hardtop and wire wheels, in Hotchkiss, Colorado. I offered $5,500, but luckily the owner turned me down.
Beware of pricing like $8999 especially on Ebay. That is used car lot lingo. Why not just say $9000. That’s because people see the 8 first and subliminally its $8000 and change! Seems like a lot of money for a starting point car even though its rare. As someone else said in the comments, ‘rare doesn’t make it worth more’. These are interesting cars but I wouldn’t take it on. Of course, ‘beauty and wanting is in the eye of the beholder’. Go for it if it floats your boat!!!
How can you put a car like this away and forget about it??
Cheerio y’all. Is it ugly? Well fins ? White seats? Probably vynal. But the car may have a huge following in the u.k. That’s where I saw pieces of jag X K E ,s going going for 6 figures. But y’ all know the southern gentleman loves a challenge. Restore it