1962 Daimler SP250 vintage racer

      Up for auction is our 1962 Daimler Dart. This is a beautiful low mileage SP250 that was upgraded to be VSCCA and VRG compliant. It is a vintage racer certain to be at the front of the pack in any outing but here at Studebaker Central we have not found the time or money involved to race the car.  The car has not been raced in the last three seasons and it needs to be out there rather than in our collection so here is a great opportunity to get into an amazing vehicle.

      The original numbers matching engine was removed and stored; it goes with the car. We have too all of the original parts that were removed such as the windshield and wipers. the side windows and their risers. the original wire wheels. the cockpit cover and soft convertible top and the highly regarded removable hard top with a new glass. the bumpers. the heater and other small parts. In other words if you want to put this car back to a screaming street machine you could.

       But it was built to race and we suggest that the buyer does. I am a Studebaker mechanic and am not a racer but here's what I have gathered.  The Daimler hemi V8 that became the performance powerplant for this racer was built by legendary mechanic and racer Tivvy Shenton. Check out Tivvy's AutoCraft.    This $11000 rebuild has seen only two races. one of them the Pittsburg Vintage Gran Prix. The stock SP250 V8 put out about 140 horsepower; this one puts out more than 200. It is ready to go.

      Tivvy also fabricated a custom bellhousing to allow the use of a transmission taken from a 1960 Jaguar XKE and built for competition.

      The steering is TR6 competition direct mount rack and pinion. The back axle is Sunbeam Tiger. I believe MK III. the carbs are Jaguar e-type and the manifold has been ported at both ends. The oil passages were enlarged.

      This car came with disc brakes on all four wheels; pretty good for 1962. The brakes now use stainless pistons with carbon ceramic pads and braided stainless lines. It  uses a 280Z dual reservoir master.

      It uses a fuel cell which can be seen in the pictures.

      Sixty -four spoke wire wheels have replaced the easier to bend originals.

      The interior is original leather and is wearing. The roll bar was built as a bolt on. very strong. that can be removed.

      The dash is original and very nice.

      A couple of the pictures show the car in competition at Pittsburg and at Lime Rock. The car was featured in Grassroots Motorsports in their May 2002 issue.

      If you want to get out on the track. forget the Big Healeys and the Jaguars. I've watched this car race. This Daimler. under the proper guidance. nbsp;is an imposing force. But think about it because it is not a cheap car. I paid the extra fee to go to a ten day auction and give people a real chance to think about it and to talk to us.

      The title is listed as clear but as with all old cars in Connecticut there is no title. This is a bill of sale transaction.

      The car does. on nicer days. sit on the front lawn with a for sale sign. so we reserve the right to cancel the auction up until the time that bidding reaches the reserve.

      e-mail us with questions.

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