1962 Daimler SP250 Dart 'Metropolitan Police car'

For sale by auction on Saturday 29 August 2015 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
Introduced at the New York Motor Show of 1959. the Daimler Dart
was a V8 powered sports car with controversial styling. The Dart
name was soon dropped after the threat of legal action from
Chrysler who had a car of that name within their Dodge division.
Consequently. this new sports car was known as the SP250. Power was
provided by the 2. 5-Litre Edward Turner designed V8 that soon
became revered for the smoothness in its power delivery. with
140bhp on tap. Independent double wishbone suspension at the
front and half elliptical springs at the rear. with a live rear
axle. kept the car on the road with stopping power supplied by
hydraulic disc brakes on all four corners. The coachwork was
constructed with glass reinforced plastic providing a tough. strong
and lightweight shape that enhanced performance with exciting and
non-traditional looks. The 120mph plus capability was recognised by
the police and were soon being used as a high speed chase cars.

This dart- number 13 of 26- has been recently restored to a high
standard under the stewardship of the senior archivist for the
Metropolitan Police Museum. Mr John Dorset. who is. incidentally. br/>the owner of number 26. Having served in the Lewisham borough. its
first owner on the buff log book is the Metropolitan Police
followed by a number of enthusiasts before the car fell into
disrepair prior to its rescue by the current vendor. who has spent
the past 18 months ensuring the car is bought back to its former
splendour and presented as new.

The specialists amongst you would have noticed a few
non-original parts but anything that is not 100% correct is purely
due to improving the driving experience. including two wing mirrors
rather than just one and rack and pinion steering. along with
non-original seats which are infinitely more comfortable and can
recline unlike the originals. however. they have been trimmed in
the correct Daimler style. Present though. is the working Winkworth
bell. original Police speedometer. two interior mirrors. original
radio in the glove box and other original essential items
associated with a high-speed pursuit police car. The odometer
reading. as we have been educated is irrelevant. due to the fact
that the Metropolitan Police would regularly remove and
re-calibrate these before installing them in the next available
car.


It has covered just 20 miles since the finish of the restoration
and so would need the inevitable running in and odd adjustment. An
ideal opportunity to own a piece of English heritage. restored with
enormous attention to detail. this SP250 is also offered with a
photographic log of the restoration. heritage certificate. original
buff log book and various bills. putting the new owner in
illustrious company with fellow Dart police car
owners. 

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