Daimler SP250 Dart
Daimler had built a reputation for itself for manufacturing conservative luxury saloons. But 1959, it manufactured a sports car for the lucrative American market. Initially the car was called the Dart but later, because of several objections from Chrysler it was titled the SP250.
The styling of the car received a divided opinion. Some people did not quite like the fish-like face of the glass-fibre bodied two-seater roadster. But the engineering under the bonnet was something to be admired. There was a 2548 cc V8 engine that gave excellent flexibility and 120 mph (193 kmph).
When Jaguar took over Daimler in 1960, the SP250 was reworked with a stiffer chassis and stronger bodywork. However jaguar concentrated more on fulfilling the demand for the 1961 E-Type and the Mark 2 saloons. Hence the SP250 fell by the wayside in 1964.