1960 Daimler SP250 Dart
Well-presented with history file dating back to new

Registration No: 79 AXP
Chassis No: 101410
MOT: July 2024

• Well-travelled car, having been on road trips and rallies to Europe nearly every year from 2000 - 2017
• Subject to complete engine overhaul, respray, interior, hood and more in 2012 by Russ Carpenter and Bryan Purves
• One of the most impressive and interesting to read history files we have seen, with original logbook, maintenance sheets, numerous hand-written maintenance and travel logs dating back to when the car was new

The futuristic Daimler Dart was introduced at the New York Motor Show in 1959 and had its European debut at the 1959 Earls Court Motor Show; the Dart name was soon dropped after the threat of legal action from Chrysler who had a car of that name within their Dodge division. Thereafter this new sports car was known as the Daimler SP250. Power was provided by the 2.5 litre, Edward Turner designed, V8 that soon became revered for the smoothness in its power delivery with 140bhp on tap. The coachwork was constructed with glass-reinforced plastic providing a tough, strong and lightweight shape that enhanced performance with, some might say, exciting and non-traditional looks. The 120mph plus capability was recognised by the police and they were soon being used as high-speed chase cars.

Jaguar had bought Daimler in 1960, and was immediately concerned about chassis flex. Due to this, the ‘B Spec’ variant was introduced. This consisted of additional outriggers on the chassis and a strengthening hoop between the A-posts. Additional improvements included an adjustable steering column.

‘79 AXP’ was first delivered on 26 July 1960 to Mrs Gweldoline Hilda Stock of Greystone, Kent and presented in ‘Ivory’. From new, Stock kept copious records of all expenditure, including comprehensive hand-written logs of the car’s maintenance and history with the use of Shell ‘Motor Car Maintenance Log Books’. Included within are monthly logs of works undertaken, service details (including oil changes at 1000 mile intervals), mileage covered and much more. There are 5 of these; one each year from 1960 through to 1964 with two further ‘motor car expenses’ logs, one with hand-written details on expenditure from 1967 through to 1970 and another that continues from 1970 through to June 1972, before the car was believed to have been taken off the road.

In 1991, the car was purchased through Performance Cars of Haslemere to a John Hearnden. Performance Cars reportedly purchased the vehicle directly from Mr Stock after it had been seen in his garage. They restored the car, respraying it in its original Ivory, replacing the interior including leather seats, hood, tyres and radiator. At this time, they upgraded the chassis to ‘B Spec’ with genuine parts from Barry Thorne along with most of the optional extras that were available - wire wheels, front and rear bumpers, front with overriders, tonneau, windscreen washer, cigarette lighter, heater, badge bar, spot and fog lamps.

After a 5 year ownership, ‘79 AXP’ would change hands to its next owner, a Mr A Hodgson of Livingston, West Lothian. Hodgson would reignite the fastidious history trend with another hand-written ‘Car Log Book’ dated from 10 August 1996. This particular logbook details various places the car travelled to, with mileages, details of the fuel used with fuel stations, incidents with the car, repairs and maintenance. This log gives some insight into the car’s life, spending much time in various parts of Scotland, Cumbria, Yorkshire, Sheffield for the ‘Norwich Union Classic Car Rally’ and as far as the Isle of Man for the Manx Classic on multiple occasions.

The car’s next change of ownership would be to Alan Chater of Weymouth, who purchased the car on 18th March 2000 and drove it from Scotland all the way down to Dorset. Pleasingly, Chater would continue the log and his long drive home would be a sign of things to come, as he details his trip on the MSA Euroclassic to Budapest shortly after his purchase. Remarkably, further trips the following years through France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Norway and more follow on an almost yearly basis.

In 2012, the car was subject to a complete engine overhaul and upgrade with Russ Carpenter in January. This included the block re-bored and re-faced, crankshaft re-ground, replacement pistons and bearings, camshaft re-profiled, modified tappet chest, modified valve guides and seals, stainless steel exhaust valves and much much more at a total cost of £5,357. In August that same year, the car was then sent to Bryan Purves for a full respray in its original Ivory and rechrome, rewiring works, replacement windscreen glass, hood with frame, carpets and instrument panel at a cost of £10,804.

This restoration, however, was not for show, as the following month he would depart to France in September and the almost yearly trips would continue until June 2017. In total, nearly every year for a period spanning 17 years, ‘79 AXP’ departed on a European trip of some form.

Still retaining its original registration ‘79 AXP’ and benefiting from various improvements including overdrive, rack and pinion steering, electronic ignition and an alloy radiator, this well-travelled Dart comes accompanied with an extremely impressive history file. Notably, as well as the hand-written logs aforementioned, included is the original buff logbook from new, an original maintenance sheet along with numerous ‘check up’ maintenance sheets dating from the car’s 10,000 mile service through to its 40,000 mile service in January 1965, an impressive collection of MOT certificates dating back as far as 1966, tax discs back to 1963, a mountain of invoices and receipts spanning the car’s entire lifetime, numerous communications, literature, past registration documents and much much more. The current V5C document displays 3 former keepers which we believe to be accurate.

For more information, please contact:
Andreas Hicks
andreas.hicks@handh.co.uk
07929 363573