Robert Grinter is still in need of a chassis to restore a customer’s SP – Can you find one in the back of your garage?
Hard on the heels of the trip to the Spa Classic a number of its participants headed south to the Sarthe circuit at LeMans, where the intrepid brother and sister duo, Morgan & Louise swapped classics this time for a TR to give their crash helmets yet another ride around yet another circuit. It seems they all meet up in a bar later – where else to lay the dust!
Meanwhile, Kent based SP owner Neil Horton was an official entry in his TR3 engined Peerless, and was enthusiastically willed to win his heat. He started 35th on the grid and had an blistering start and by the end of the first corner he was 10th. Neil ended up 31st out of 83 starters with Ferrari 250s and a Lister Knobbly following the Peerless home! Neil’s flat out speed is just 117 MPH, he gained on many through the Porsche Curves where the Peerless clued to the rain soaked road swept sure footed Lotus Elites to the side. No wipers were needed, just Rainx!. The Peerless ran faultlessly throughout its three heats. And Neil…. not down to earth yet, just still sitting on Cloud Nine! His best lap time time being 6.15 minutes, a Peerless record.
There is but a sad tale to this event in that I was informed, by email, of a French registered SP upside down at the side of a road when on its way back from LeMans – we are checking on the driver’s well-being. A number of Dutch classic car enthusiasts stopped to help.
Whilst all this was taking place on the continent some 18 or so SPs were touring the byways of Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, three days of intense map reading or getting lost as the case may be! Later dining each night at the base camp hotel near the historic Suffolk town of Bury St. Edmunds. Many staying at the hotel while those living locally joined in the days’ runs. The furthest member had travelled down from Sheffield! to partake in this annual junket. When I was at a filling station ‘topping up’ a customer on another island pump came over and said “ Cor, the old coppers had these up in town (London) but the bu**ers still couldn’t catch me, still got the ‘bike though” with that he smiled, disappeared into the shop to pay his bill. Well, we do know that classics of all makes bring back memories of one’s youth.
I was pleased to note that driving up, through the lanes, on the hottest day of the year thus far, 96f the upgraded cooling system fitted to my SP didn’t bat an eye lid, just acknowledgement that it was hot outside. I have a bespoke sealed system fitted – larger profiled radiator and associated accessories to keep it cool.
Hopefully no one is complaining with this heatwave – so unusual for us however, it prolongs the ability to use the SP in its true fashion – top down. With this in mind do remember the SP250 day which is being held in conjunction with the Bromyard Motoring Festival (HR7 4BS) on the 26th and 27th July with the SP specific day on the Sunday the 27th. For further information please contact Glyn Overy- details in pasSPort or come back to me.
Now here is an opportunity to display your SP in the magnificent setting of Blenheim Palace at the Salon Prive Event on Saturday 30th August, some 1500 vehicles are expected. If so the DLOC would like you on their stand. Book direct: www.salonpriveconcours.com/car-clubs/ then let Nick Thompson, who is hosting and collating the DLOC display, on nthompson5555@icloud.com the cost is £50 a ticket . Pack a picnic.
Just as I sent out the June newsletter, the July Edition of Classic & Sports Car hit the bookstalls with its write up on Vee for Victory the ‘Great British V8s’, wherein Martin Buckley showcases 10 of our best V8s with comparisons; the SP is pitched against the Morgan. The SP is described as a strangely loveable sports car that was redeemed by its delightful engine: a throaty yet silky-smooth and superbly flexible 2.5 litre V8, designed by Edward Turner to be one of the best of its kind in the world. Martin continues his excellent write up with the fact that Daimler lost out in the US market as it lacked a backup service organisation, the Daimler brand being little known at that time and to this day there is much confusion between the two Daimler brand names, that of England and that of Benz. The article then compares the 4 ½ litre Majestic Major with an S2 Bentley the Majestic Major shines with its top speed of 123 mph while the S2 runs out of steam at 113. All in all a good read – I will leave you either to hunt a copy or ring Haymarket Publications’ back order desk.
Classic Car Weekly of the 18th June also ran a write up on the SP with their centre spread article on ‘How to catch a Sharp Dart’ – Overlooked for decades, this charming roadster makes a cost-effective alternative to an early E-type – for now at least…
This is a very much what to look for approach article if considering an SP and the various upgrades that are worthwhile. Such as an alternator; overdrive or a modern 5 speed gearbox; steering – rack & pinion; rear lever dampers for modern uprights; and lastly a servo.
I have noticed a number of owners although keen on the patina of their cars are having the bodies taken off to have the chassis reconditioned and upgraded. It must be remembered that the chassis was a cost effective component bought in by Daimler from GKN (Guest, Keen and Nettlefold) and are at 60 years old at least. They were spot welded whereas nowadays seam welding is the norm. They were built to a price rather than longevity, with the result that brackets being spot welded allow water egress which in turn – blow and weaken the chassis structure as a whole
Who needs to listern to Classic FM when we have this music ….. 8 cylinders in unison
https://youtu.be/6jbQvhT3WVQ?si=hfN6IVipgmAtQ6Y8
https://youtu.be/IJBy_VoItm4?si=8JgJ91WwT-HjQw4V
And Finally……….
Neil (Steve McQueen) Horton being interviewed beside his Peerless.
I will continue next month with more of Neils exploits.
Thought for the day:
Fashions fade, Style is Eternal. (The SP certainly has style)
