HA! Made you look!
I bet this isn't the type of "Hemi Dart" you were expecting. I know I'd never heard of this little beast before today.
The Daimler Dart was a sports car built by British manufacturer Daimler in Coventry.
It was launched at the 1959 New York Motor Show, and its greatest success was in the North American market. It had a fibreglass body, four wheel Girling disc brakes, and a 2.5 litre Hemi-head V8 engine designed by Edward Turner. The car was described as a 2+2, but the bench-like rear seat offered very limited leg room unless the front seats were pushed fully forward.
Daimler were soon forced to drop the Dart name when threatened with legal action by Chryslers Dodge division, the car was then renamed the Daimler SP250.
The original A-spec version could do 120 mph (193 km/h), but the chassis, a 14-gauge ladder frame with cruciform bracing based on the Triumph TR3, flexed so much that doors came open, marring its reputation. Bumpers (fenders) were originally an optional extra.
B-spec
Jaguar bought Daimler in 1960, and were immediately concerned about the chassis flex. They brought out the B-spec version with extra outriggers on the chassis and a strengthening hoop between the A posts. There were also other detail improvements, including an adjustable steering column.
C-spec
There was a C-spec version introduced in 1963 with some additional luxuries as standard equipment.
2,645 were produced in total (all specs).
Jaguar built a prototype replacement (known as the SP252) with a neater body style but decided not to proceed with production.
Ogle Design produced a coupé version called the SX250, but this was not taken up by Daimler and the body design was later used for the Reliant Scimitar.
SpecificationENGINE: V type, eight cylinder, water cooled, OHV, Bore 3 in (76 mm), Stroke 2.75 in (70 mm), Capacity 153 cubic inches (2547 cc) Single high camshaft operated valves through short alloy pushrods. Double heavy duty valve springs. Aluminium alloy hemispherical cylinder heads. Stiff 5 main bearing crankshaft, dynamically balanced. Compression ratio 8.2:1 Twin SU carburettors. bhp 140 @ 5800 rpm. Max Torque 155 lb·ft (210 N·m) at 3600 rpm. SU electric fuel pump.
IGNITION: Coil and distributor with auto and vacuum control.
LUBRICATION: Submerged gear type oil pump. Full flow filter. Sump capacity 1.75 US gallons.
COOLING SYSTEM: Pressurised radiator with fan, pump and thermostat control.
TRANSMISSION: 4 speeds with synchromesh on top three ratios. Provision for overdrive. Automatic optional.
REAR AXLE: Hypoid bevel 3.58:1
STEERING: Cam type.
SUSPENSION: Independent front with coil springs. Half elliptics at rear. Oversize dampers.
BRAKES: Discs on all four wheels, hydraulic operation.
See also: Daimler 2.5 & 4.5 Litre V8 Engines
Optional extrasThe following items could be ordered to fit on the standard car:
Wire wheels
Adjustable steering column
Hard top
Front and rear bumpers
Windscreen washers
Heater
Fog lights
Seat belts
PerformanceA car with hard top tested by The Motor magazine in 1960 had a top speed of 123.7 mph (199.1 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 8.9 seconds. A fuel consumption of 25 miles per imperial gallon (11 L/100 km; 21 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1,489 including taxes.
I bet this isn't the type of "Hemi Dart" you were expecting. I know I'd never heard of this little beast before today.
The Daimler Dart was a sports car built by British manufacturer Daimler in Coventry.
It was launched at the 1959 New York Motor Show, and its greatest success was in the North American market. It had a fibreglass body, four wheel Girling disc brakes, and a 2.5 litre Hemi-head V8 engine designed by Edward Turner. The car was described as a 2+2, but the bench-like rear seat offered very limited leg room unless the front seats were pushed fully forward.
Daimler were soon forced to drop the Dart name when threatened with legal action by Chryslers Dodge division, the car was then renamed the Daimler SP250.
The original A-spec version could do 120 mph (193 km/h), but the chassis, a 14-gauge ladder frame with cruciform bracing based on the Triumph TR3, flexed so much that doors came open, marring its reputation. Bumpers (fenders) were originally an optional extra.
B-spec
Jaguar bought Daimler in 1960, and were immediately concerned about the chassis flex. They brought out the B-spec version with extra outriggers on the chassis and a strengthening hoop between the A posts. There were also other detail improvements, including an adjustable steering column.
C-spec
There was a C-spec version introduced in 1963 with some additional luxuries as standard equipment.
2,645 were produced in total (all specs).
Jaguar built a prototype replacement (known as the SP252) with a neater body style but decided not to proceed with production.
Ogle Design produced a coupé version called the SX250, but this was not taken up by Daimler and the body design was later used for the Reliant Scimitar.
SpecificationENGINE: V type, eight cylinder, water cooled, OHV, Bore 3 in (76 mm), Stroke 2.75 in (70 mm), Capacity 153 cubic inches (2547 cc) Single high camshaft operated valves through short alloy pushrods. Double heavy duty valve springs. Aluminium alloy hemispherical cylinder heads. Stiff 5 main bearing crankshaft, dynamically balanced. Compression ratio 8.2:1 Twin SU carburettors. bhp 140 @ 5800 rpm. Max Torque 155 lb·ft (210 N·m) at 3600 rpm. SU electric fuel pump.
IGNITION: Coil and distributor with auto and vacuum control.
LUBRICATION: Submerged gear type oil pump. Full flow filter. Sump capacity 1.75 US gallons.
COOLING SYSTEM: Pressurised radiator with fan, pump and thermostat control.
TRANSMISSION: 4 speeds with synchromesh on top three ratios. Provision for overdrive. Automatic optional.
REAR AXLE: Hypoid bevel 3.58:1
STEERING: Cam type.
SUSPENSION: Independent front with coil springs. Half elliptics at rear. Oversize dampers.
BRAKES: Discs on all four wheels, hydraulic operation.
See also: Daimler 2.5 & 4.5 Litre V8 Engines
Optional extrasThe following items could be ordered to fit on the standard car:
Wire wheels
Adjustable steering column
Hard top
Front and rear bumpers
Windscreen washers
Heater
Fog lights
Seat belts
PerformanceA car with hard top tested by The Motor magazine in 1960 had a top speed of 123.7 mph (199.1 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 8.9 seconds. A fuel consumption of 25 miles per imperial gallon (11 L/100 km; 21 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1,489 including taxes.
