I know it’s a little ‘off-piste’ from an SP250, however, it is well worth reporting, a Hagerty group company auctioned one of the rare Daimler Hooper DB18 drophead-coupes. Just one of six, it made an astonishing $212,800 (about £172,000) some way over its pre-sale estimate of $125/- to $175/- such a broad price range indicates how difficult such an appraisal for so a rare car. Seems at last Daimlers are coming in from the cold. https://www.broadarrowauctions.com/vehicles/am23_024/1952-daimler-db18-hooper-co-drophead-coupe
Elsewhere, in the motoring press the May edition of Classic Cars has Daimlers spread throughout as buried on page 22 is the revamped showroom of classic car dealer Dylan Miles https://www.dylan-miles.com/ now what has this to do Daimlers, well some 113 years ago it was established as G Stevenson, motor engineers later metamorphose into Stevensons Motors Ltd, and as such sold 40 SP250s between 1960 and 1964, 29 of which are listed in pasSPort only 3 are unknowns, a survival rate of 92.5% not bad going, the missing 3 might turn up.
Contained within the same magazine on pages 100 – 102 there is detailed article on the SP itself, entitled Eight Steps to Buying a Daimler SP250 an honest assessment of the model. It does discuss the pit falls of the chassis and its fibreglass body. Now with modern technology and parts all can be rectified, even upgrading an ’A’ spec.
The magazine concludes its Daimler journey with an article on Stephen Leckie, a man much about the highlands (of Scotland) who unwinds from his hectic workday schedule by restoring classic cars, amongst the many, he showcases his SP250.
The weekly motoring journal, Classic Car weekly dated the 15th March has a centre spread on the SP250 with its five steps of wisdom on upgrading the car by:- 1) fitting an overdrive or a 5 speed gearbox; 2) rack & pinion steering;3) converting the rear dampers to telescopic shock absorbers 4) a brake servo and 5) fitting an alternator. The guide also has a ‘what to look for’ when contemplating a purchase.
I was embarrassed as I noticed on page 8 to see I had been short listed as I of 7 nominees for an award as ‘the glue that holds together the club together’ I have yet to find out who proposed me, however, I thank them and all those who voted for me – I didn’t receive the accolade but I will continue with ‘the glue’ I do thank you all.
Are there spies in the sky? not so if you own a Tesla, they are all about you as you drive your Tesla, big brother Musk has his spies on you:-
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11948477/Tesla-staffers-accused-sharing-clips-unwitting-customers-recorded-cars-cameras.html you have been warned, if taking the mistress take the Bentley!
I take it all back, I shouldn’t criticise the Tesla so much without realising what fun one can have with it.
https://youtu.be/Qq5Q1qKW-1g
Seems the dream is fading with EVs, not only for their fast depreciation, but sales are plummeting, owners have experienced the shortfalls of owning an EV especially during the winter months – the old range anxiety has risen its ugly head. Whilst over in Germany as the vast subsidy on purchases has run its course, likewise, sales have plummeted. Meanwhile BMW are going full steam ahead with normal aspirated engines and no doubt VW and Mercedes Benz will follow suit then apply pressure on their government to delay the much dreaded EV rollout. Here, the loveys of the EV want our government to drop the 20% vat levy for commercial ‘top ups’.
Although there are significant signs in the market place that many high profile vehicles such as vintage Bentleys, Aston Martins and Jaguars are dropping in valve due to the current economic climate, amongst them currently are an abnormal number of SPs coming up for sale. This phenomenon happens once in a while, many of which are selling for either health or age concerns. Whilst the glamour vehicles were bought for their ‘investment’ value not so the SP, it was bought for its practicality and the burble sound of its V8. The trade isn’t damaged as it was in the 1990s as having learnt not to hold much stock but take vehicles on ‘a brokerage’ basis. Another reason why so many auction houses have proliferated.
Drive-it-Day (here in the UK) started off in 2005, as a celebration of the 1000 mile trial back in 1900, https://nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/thousand-mile-trial-1900/ and also to make the general public aware of the historical transport heritage in the UK. Nowadays it’s an excuse to showcase ones historical car and have some fun into the bargain, it is being held on the 23rd April so why not sport a charity plaque if out and about https://www.driveitday.co.uk/shop all monies are going to the NSPCC.
The publication pasSPort needs funding to get this years’ edition printed, if you have a business and wish to advertise, take a page and spread your word. Its costs have risen exponentially, it is near £5000. However, at £5 a time for a 1000 copies it‘s money well spent seeing as it binds likeminded enthusiasts together. Please send donations to Glyn Overy glynovery@talktalk.net – thank you
The modified valve gear assembly from Bill Holland and Steve Sannett of Petra Motorsport https://pentamotorsports.com/daimler-sp250/ have been fortified by means of a shaft system with CNC-machined aluminium roller rocker arms. The ratio is only slightly more than the OEM Daimler, but the roller bearings provide improved efficiency and total stability. The attached photo shows both the OEM and the custom setups.
That is a great modification – LCJ
And finally……
The new game in town is ‘potholing ‘or in other words trying to avoid them, whatever the case there is a warning
Thought for the day
This is either a forgery or a damn clever original (of a painting)
