1961 Daimler SP250 Dart - the quickest I've driven!
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- Опубликовано: 27 авг 2024
- This outstanding B Spec Daimler Dart SP250 came to us from Aberdeenshire with a warranted mileage of just 70K and an outstanding history back to new including the original bill of sale. The Daimler has had just four owners from new, has been subject of a major restoration to a top class condition with a fully documented engine rebuild by Daimler V8 specialists just 1000 miles ago. Adding further to the desirability of this car, it does have its correct, original factory engine. The 5800 WY was supplied new by Tunniclffe’s of Ilkley and even the original delivery note from Daimler to the supplying dealership is in the history file. The car was ordered new by a Ronald Wilson Esq in Ilkley on the 25th April 1961 costing just £1098 six shilling and ninepence!
The first owner kept the car 27 years and kept all invoices and documentation of early service history. Within the first three years of ownership services were carried out at 6623, 7763, 9142, 10097, 13311, 14571, 16690, 18325, 20654, 21724 and 23430 miles on the 11th August 1964. Records in the history file confirm a speedo change at 24232 miles so from service history dating from October 1964 we know the Dart was serviced at 24697, 25731, 26530, 27465, 27946, 30015, 33233, 35261, 36437, 37800, 42232, 43736, 48111 and 49326 miles in July 1969. The wonderful original typed invoices make fascinating reading and meticulously detail exactly what work was being carried out on the car. From 1970 to 1988 the Daimler was unused and was later sold on by the owners family. The Dart was then owned by a Yorkshire-based brewer who kept the car for two years before selling it to the third owner in Tadcaster.
5800 WY stayed in Tadcaster with its third owner for 23 years and was subject of a major restoration. During the late 1980's and 1990's the Daimler Dart was regularly on the Yorkshire show and rally scene. Paperwork and trophies with the car confirm it attended events to include The Yorkshire Evening Press ‘York Historic Vehicle Rally' in 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992. The Daimler also attended The Yorkshire Thoroughbred Car Club Rally at Lotherton Hall in 1993, S.Y.M.T.E.S 1994 Rally, DLOC International Centenary Rally in June 1996, Harewood Classic also in June 1996 and Tadcaster Classic Car Show in 1997. From 2003 to 2013 the Daimler was then unused and changed hands to its fourth owner in Aberdeen.
Having had ten years off the road, the most recent owner put the Daimler through an extensive program of work. The most significant was an engine rebuild to include re-bore, new pistons, new bearings, crankshaft rear oil seal modification, re-profiled camshaft, new hydraulic tensioners, rebuilt cylinder head to unleaded specification, overhauled oil pump, oil pump shaft bush modification, new core plugs, timing chain and full detailing and balancing on completion. The engine rebuild was completed in 2015, total recorded mileage from new at this stage being 68587. Further work included complete engine replacement hose set , replacement heavy duty stainless steel hose clips, all new ignition items, re-conditioned wiper motor, brand new full wiring loom, all new switches were removed, detailed and cleaned, a replacement stainless instrument panel fitted, a new heater matrix, re-conditioned and powder coated heater box, fully rebuilt carburettors and all engine bay ancillaries and parts removed and polished as required. Further cosmetic detail work included re-chroming bumpers, over-riders, badge bar and ashtray. Since completion of this work the Daimler has covered less than 1000 miles and has attended several shows and rallies and has picked up some further silverware winning second in class at a recent event. The most recent owner has kept up to the fabulous history with 500 digital photos on file, covering step by step the restoration work carried out with pictures of the various rallies the car has attended.
5800 WY has arrived with us in exceptional order and the condition certainly matches the impressive history and provenance. The Daimler presents superbly with lovely fitting doors and gaps. The paint finish is excellent with a deep, gleaming finish and chrome work is first class. The interior trim is beautifully presented and has aged superbly, the hood is excellent, so is the boot area and the engine bay is show standard. The underside of the vehicle is excellent with a strong chassis. On the road performance is sensational. The wonderful V8 engine is impressive and the four speed gearbox, 3 of which have synchros changes up and down smoothly with unusually strong synchromesh on second and third gear. The Dart handles superbly with its upgraded rack and pinion steering. Brakes, suspension, cooling and electrical systems are all in great condition.
I know this particular car inside out ! It belonged to my late younger brother Paul from 1987 until his untimely death from oesophagul cancer in 2013. I see it still carries the oversize ,large capacity stainless steel expansion tank located between radiator header tank and engine block. My late father and I spent two days carefully designing and manufacturing this , before having it welded and polished in Leeds . But where are the Borrani wheels ? The manual gearbox came from the south coast having been substituted for the original autobox in the early 90's : the autobox was original equipment when the car was delivered new to an Ilkley Doctor in 1961.The auto box was exchanged for the manual box which had originally been fitted to a Dart owned by a severely disabled Royal Naval officer who had suffered life changing injuries on HMS Sheffield in the Falklands War in 1982.and could no longer manage a manual box.,I still have have the receipts for this work by D Beales..
The chassis had received some finely tuned straightening by Naylor Brothers in Bradford in the early 80's .
Still a nice car nevertheless, which was known in the family as the 'Cardboard Special'
It lived for 26years in the august company of its senior sibling, my 4.6litre Majestic Major 2 seater special, a veritable Dart eater, and still is to this day .
Sorry I didn't reply at the time. Very interesting indeed. Majestic Major is a beast!
thank you the man from Yorkshire, I appreciated your review of this video and the whole presentation, again thanks 😃😃
I love a guy who Knows how to shake a car down. subscribed!
Thank you
Jay Leno has one, it's a dark blue, the lines are a bit more subtle than this one in red. One of the great British sports cars, best British engine ever made.
Thanks. I love his channel.
That sounds absolutely amazing!
It does!
awh this used to be our car miss it!
Great car, I'm not surprised you miss it.
@@Classicandsportscar1my dad redid the whole engine, his lockdown hobby!
What a car!
Beautiful!
They should have used that Engine bored to 3.5 litre in the E Type and XJS too instead of the 3.8 / 3.6 !
Wind Sock for the mic!
Likewise knew mine inside out in rebuilding and had for some years before being used on honeymoon in 1975 - days when parts were still available Browns Lane, Coventry. I've no idea where the car is now... So smooth right up to 6000rpm in 2nd, 3rd or 4th with that hemi BSA design engine. 165 or 185 Goodyears for nearly all its time with me on TR style steels. Hardtop, soft top & tonneau. If your SP250 has steel main bearing caps - it may be mine!
Interesting. I bought new old stock TR6 wheels for mine in 1981
By the way it says 19 comments but I can't see a single on, where are they ?
Not any play in steering .. well cool...
Why is the speedo needle not moving?