Daimler SP250
And now for something completely different.
This strange beast is a Daimler SP250. It was produced by the Daimler company (owned by Jaguar) in 1963 as an attempt to grab some of the American market for British sports cars. Yes, I know it’s ugly, but there is something about its looks that fascinates. That ridiculous grille, for instance - is it really just a huge, cheesy grin?
Underneath the fiberglass body there lurks a hemispherical head V8 designed specifically for this car. So it performed well and was often used in competition. But it failed in its primary task, never really catching on in the States. By 1968 production had almost ceased and the SP250 was confined to history as a quirky but interesting aberration of a normally-conservative marque.
If nothing else, the design is brave. It was as though the company wanted something that built upon the tradition of the open sports car but introduced new elements like the pointed wings at the rear. And the result is a car so homely that I, for one, can’t help but like it.
Homely? Man that thing is so ugly only its mother could love it.
By Mad on September 19th, 2006 at 6:19 am
Doesn’t that make you feel sorry for it?
By Clive on September 19th, 2006 at 6:28 am
No, it needs putting in a sack and drowning
By Mad on September 20th, 2006 at 5:59 am
You are so cruel, Mad…
By Clive on September 20th, 2006 at 6:17 am
I grew up riding shotgun in a sp250. As my dad left all sorts of ashamed drivers in the weeds. People had no clue what just left them in its dust. Untill posibly we stoped for a bite and they would pull in as we were leaving,again to stomp another Porshe or something. As a youngster I thought all dads drove like that.Or had the wheels to. anyway …patrick usa
By patrick on November 26th, 2006 at 8:36 pm
Well, this Dad, yours truly, has always driven like that. I just wish I’d had a Daimler SP250 to do it in…
By Clive on November 27th, 2006 at 9:31 pm