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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » 2.5 litre hemi Brit roadster build thread

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Nov. 24, 2010 9:27 a.m. Sofa King Reader

I had never even heard of this car before! Very cool!

I can see why the responses in the UK may be less enthusiastic than here. The design sort of looks like someone took a classic British roadster and tried to Americanize it circa 1957. I think there was a post here a couple of weeks ago where someone customized an MGB by adding tail fins. Not quite with the same result, but now I think I see where that guys inspiration came from.

The engine note on the you tube video is great! Doesn't sound like 140 HP. I am surprised how deep the tone sounds. I would have expected something different from cylinders that must be tiny. Hmmm ....My '99 Miata is a Hemi, makes 140 HP .... but sure doesn't sound that good!
Nov. 24, 2010 9:37 a.m. PS122 Reader

I want one for my den! BTW - never realized that the SP250 was 'glass...
Nov. 25, 2010 3:28 p.m. wspohn Reader

The appearance on these is an ...acquired taste, but then that is also the case with my Jensen CV8.

The chassis is pretty horrible, and I say that having owned many, many Triumphs, which share the frame and suspension details with the Daimler, although varying in detail.

The cars leak, the fibreglass cracks (I still own the CV8 and have owned and raced an early TVR, so I know whereof I speak when it comes to British fibreglass) and parts are now a problem, as is the case with many orphans.

The engine is a real little jewel, though.

So all in all, just what a hair shirt British sports car fan needs for enjoyment! Looks like you are doing a bang up job - I'm sure it will be better than it was when it was new by the time you finish!
Nov. 25, 2010 7:54 p.m. spnx New Reader

True, but I would disagree with you on one key point.

The engine was used in Jaguars, so parts aren't a problem for that.

Also, the projected production run was ~9000 cars, so there are large numbers of spares. 1300 or so are listed in paSPort, the owner guide, there are probably 1800 left worldwide on the road. I like those odds.

David Manners really does have a ton of parts for the car. It's really not an issue at all. From the online catalogue. Not bad for an extinct car company. http://www.jagspares.co.uk/Manners/CarSection.asp?CarModel=DART&imageField.x=2...

Trim is hardest to come by, since the cars are hand-assembled.
Nov. 25, 2010 8:57 p.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

Remarkable. I've only ever seen one in person, and it was memorable for that engine note alone. Oh, and count me in as someone else who never knew they were fibreglass. (I said I saw one, not touched one.. ) I see basket cases for sale in Hemmings every once in awhile.
Nov. 26, 2010 8:30 a.m. wspohn Reader

Yup, the Daimler 2.5 (Jaguar) would be a great source of spares, although almost none made it over here, so you'd need to source from England.

My buddy had two SP250s and had tracked down a Majestic 4.5 version but never got around to mating the two. Do you know if anyone has?
Nov. 26, 2010 12:56 p.m. spnx New Reader

Is he not in pasSPort? If not, he should be.

There are two owners listed in there with 4.5 litre modifications. PM me if you want their details, I don't want to put them up here.

There is another in New Zealand with a non-running 4.5 that his father built, the link is here: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3835872/1962-daimler-p250

(I'm not crazy about the bonnet mods on that one.)

And apparently there was another one racing in the United States that did very well in vintage until someone thought to take a closer look at the "2.5" litre engine
April 13, 2011 1:15 p.m. spnx New Reader

I went to the shop last week. The car is doing well.
April 13, 2011 1:16 p.m. spnx New Reader

My dad went through three sets of tires in four years, so this set only have a year worth of wear on them - but the car's been stored since 1966.

I'll be going with radials, rather than crossplies.

For scale (that's me!)

The wiring harness is laughably simple compared to a modern car:

I love the view down the bonnet:

New leather interior and carpeting:

Nice, clean panel lines (this is the door that was broken in half to set straight):

Shiny generator cover.

I have some interesting pictures of other cars from the shop, including two cars that finished the Peking-Paris Rally, and have returned for rebuilds. I was happy to find them there.
April 13, 2011 1:16 p.m. spnx New Reader

Trailer queen 1968 Charger. It will never be driven on a public road again. Even the fuel tank has three coats of clear and SS straps. In my mind, it's no longer a car.

When I got my other car back from a bare metal restoration, I was out that weekend doing handbrake slides on gravel roads. But that's me.

XK120 being restored. Nice to see something that required more money being invested in bodywork than my car. It made me feel a bit better. Lots of work with the English Wheel required on this one.

Nice old Chrysler:

Various things under tarps. Identify them if you will.
April 13, 2011 3:34 p.m. TR8owner Reader

There will always be an England.

I love any British car with a V8, especially a made in the UK V8.
April 13, 2011 3:45 p.m. spitfirebill SuperDork

Love that Daimler V8 engine!
April 15, 2011 2:15 p.m. spnx New Reader

I love it too.

Funny, I just realized today that HEMI is trademarked!

I think it's only in block capitals though. Really, there's no reason that any company isn't able to make a car with hemispherical combustion chambers, which of course, can then be called a hemi.

Although I think Alfa came out with an "8V" because they thought that Ford had ownership of "V8".

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