Registration - VYJ 705

Chassis No. - 104153

M.O.T. - Exempt

Odometer - 18,000

‘VYJ 705’ was a late enough example of the SP250 to benefit from the model’s desirable C specification. Its pleasant-looking Royal Blue paintwork is complemented by grey leather interior trim, and it rides on Minilite alloy wheels which have apparently been part of its specification since the Daimler was resprayed some 20 years ago. The car has an attractive history for, although the V5 states there have been three former keepers, the first two were in fact husband and wife, while the third was the brother of the current owner, who had retained the two-seater from 1991 until his death earlier this year. Apparently the V8 engine, four-speed manual transmission and running gear are all original, and the vendor’s current view of the car is that while its engine, transmission and bodywork are ‘good’, the paintwork is ‘average’ and the upholstery ‘poor and in need of refurbishment’ – hence the seat covers visible in the photos. She is now offering the car complete with contrasting grey-coloured hard top.

Daimler launched their new sports car at the 1959 New York Auto show. It was clothed in a tough fibreglass body and built around a traditional cruciform-braced ladder-frame chassis. By 1960, Daimler was in Jaguar’s hands and the so-called B specification SP250s featured a much stiffer frame, equipped with additional outriggers and a strengthening hoop between the B posts. The C specification model of 1963 brought additional creature comforts. The jewel in the car’s crown was its engine, a silky smooth 2.5-litre V-8 unit designed by Edward Turner. With 140bhp on tap and a low all-up weight, the Daimler’s performance was strong and the sound was one to savour.

In summary:

• Desirable C specification model
• Rides on Minilite alloy wheels
• Comes complete with hard top