Beskrivning
Wed, 19th Oct 2022 13:00
Imperial War Museum, Duxford
1962 Daimler Dart SP250 'B-Spec'
Comprehensive history & much recent expenditure
Estimate
£28, 000 - £32, 000
Buyer's Premium applies (subject to a minimum charge and VAT)
Lot details
Registration No: 728 BPY
Chassis No: 103939
MOT: Exempt
UK RHD example, fully restored in the early 1990s
Finished in striking Silver, with a contrasting Black interior
Large history file, with receipts dating back to the 1980s
Fewer than 10, 000 miles covered since 1979
The controversially styled Daimler Dart was introduced at the New York Motor Show in 1959 and had its European debut at the 1959 Earls Court Motor Show; the Dart name was soon dropped after the threat of legal action from Chrysler who had a car of that name within their Dodge division. Thereafter this new sports car was known as the Daimler SP250. Power was provided by the 2. 5 litre, Edward Turner designed V8 that soon became revered for the smoothness in its power delivery with 140bhp on tap. Independent double-wishbone front suspension at the front and half elliptical springs at the rear with a live rear axle kept the car on the road with stopping power supplied by hydraulic disc brakes on all four corners. The coachwork was constructed with glass-reinforced plastic providing a tough, strong, and lightweight shape that enhanced performance with exciting and non-traditional looks. The 120mph plus capability was recognised by the police and they were soon being used as high speed chase cars.
Supplied new in March 1962 to a Henry Ford Owen Esq of Grimsthorpe, the accompanying original ‘Buff’ folding logbook documents seven subsequent owners (all from the North of England). By 1979, '728 BPY' is understood to have covered some 70, 000 miles and was still in regular use, later selling to a Mr. Phillip Stephens of London who used the car sparingly and carried out some minor mechanical works. In the early 1990s, the roadster passed into the hands of Karl Zachau Esq. who embarked on a major restoration, with much of the work carried out by A&B Bodyworks of Lincoln, all of which is documented in the sizeable history file. Believed to have covered a mere 10, 000 miles in the last 40 years, the car was purchased by our vendor in 2019 - a well-known figure in 'Dart' circles who simply couldn't resist buying the car due to its "outstanding" chassis and potential. He set about improving the roadster which involved the removal of the engine, grinding of the crankshaft, and fitment of new shell bearings. Before reinstallation, the engine bay was fully detailed and new engine mounts were installed. Other works included a rebuild of the dynamo, a new water pump and ancillary pipes, a new petrol pump, fitment of an upgraded three-plate clutch and a new ignition coil and set of HT leads. Said to "drive superbly", the car benefits from a rack and pinion steering upgrade and was aesthetically improved with a host of new chrome-plated components.
Supplied with a UK V5C registration document, original ‘Buff’ logbook, a large file of receipts, and an unused full tonneau cover. Our vendor rates the bodywork, engine, electrical equipment and transmission as "Very Good', whilst he rates the paintwork and interior trim as "Good to Very Good". Just 2, 645 Darts were hand-built in Coventry during a five year production run, making them exclusive ‘in-period’ and good examples like this relatively rare in the collector market today.
