Steve Parker, our English man abroad, during his walk-a-about whilst down on the South Island of NZ spotted this SP grazing on a rally field in Christchurch, on the 7th March, although he hung about, alas he didn’t make contact with the owner.
It was surrounded by many other Daimlers. Although we are aware the SP was restored by Grant Tolley, however, overtime, lost track of its ownership. Subsequently, with the bit between their teeth Keith & Di Humphreys, donning their Sherlock Homes and Dr. Watson hats have successfully tracked down the current ownership to Kerry Durie. Saves a question; what year is it?
Which neatly brings me on to the fact that the current edition of pasSPort, the global SP250 owners’ handbook, is currently underway. If you are content with last years’ edition, we will not send you an updated copy. However, all new entrants will receive one. More importantly if you wish to support its publication, please send any donations or indeed amendments to Glyn Overy especially contact numbers etc as the trend, especially, here in the UK are telephone landlines becoming redundant. glynovery@talktalk.net
We are forward thinking for our planning for an SP250 day next year which will be based at the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden in Bedfordshire. https://www.shuttleworth.org/visit/before-you-visit/car-clubs The options are just a static visit where we park in front of the Museum hangars on a non-flying day when the cost is currently £12 per car or a flying day when the cost will be about £34 per person so there you have the options, please let Glyn glynovery@talktalk.net know of your preference and we go with the popular vote. The dates will be either in June or July (flying) Please do so soonest so we can arrange the date, as many car clubs are already booking. We are of the opinion that a flying day is better, nevertheless, more costly, with its action out on the airfield. We will be able to park close by the hangars.
There are a number of SPs changing hands presently either on a private basis or by auction, accordingly a number of new owners are ‘bagging a bargain’. It seems we have pulled back to the 2010/2012 pricing structure. No doubt with the warmer weather prices will firm up, however, we now have a fuel issue with which to content.
John Abel has added the ex-Piers Townsend race car to his stable, so now he has three SPs that have competed at Goodwood, the Duncan Black car, the ex-Trevor Crisp SP that won at Goodwood back in the early 1960s, before the Revival kicked in, and now the Piers Townsend car. John is hopeful that once the last two are race ready he will have three SPs for a Goodwood line up.
Please persevere with this clip for about 50 secs then the action happens……
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z-FG6zK2M8&t=82s
We are setting our sights on the Coombe Abbey for this years’ DLOC National Rally 24th – 28th June. https://www.dloc.org.uk/rally-2026 We are hopeful for a large gathering of SPs and for the dinner on the Saturday to have a couple of dedicated tables.
Alan Mason has been putting the finishing touches to the Spa trip in May; we have some 21 SPs barring any late issues and a total of 31 people dining. It sems to get more favourable each year.
As we are off to the Spa Classic, and to get us in the mood, I thought some action shots of SPs would help.
Are man caves an interesting aspect? Yes, especially if Steve Carr hides in one. See what he gets up to: –
inside; spare a gallon for Bryan!
outside: in its and his element
Here he breathes life into Bryan Ashworth’s racing SP, not content with 140 BHP, it now fires some 206 BHP at the rear wheels! Equal to about 250 BHP at 6100 revs, running through a Falcon 3.9 axle with a LSD that harnesses the power. And I always thought a bunch of bananas referred to the exhaust system – a bit of a tight fit! Bryan burns much rubber in promoting the SP in New Zealand – perhaps they are his spent tyres in the background! Love the roundel number, most appropriate.
For sale: A second-hand original soft top frame with its wooden bow bar £250 and an original EKCO SP radio with speaker and mounting box £200 – write to me
And Finally ………….
………………Australian SP historical action from the Farm
This SP owned by Hercules Motors, the Australian Daimler importers, was raced to considerable success by the Geoghegan Bros.
This, chassis no: 102552, scored wins at Warwick Farm in July 1961; again, in November ’61; Bathurst in April ’62. Ian Geoghegan was 2 minutes ahead of the Austin Healey driven by Bob Cutler. I am pleased to report this SP is still extant and in the ownership of Roger Anson in NSW. Ponders the question – never raced nor rallied when sold to its first owner? I seem to recall that Alan Hunt, the mainstay of the Daimler SP section for many years, was trackside and took a similar picture at Warwick Farm
Thought for the day: All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t harm! (its Easter)
