The Daimler Dart, officially renamed the Daimler SP250 after trademark objections from Dodge, remains one of Britain’s most distinctive sports cars. Launched in 1959, it paired bold fibreglass bodywork with a brilliant 2.5 litre V8 designed by Edward Turner, better known for his Triumph motorcycle engines. With around 140 bhp, disc brakes on all four wheels and a lightweight chassis, the Dart delivered lively performance that surprised many larger-engined rivals. Its styling, with its wide grille, pronounced fins and low stance, was controversial then and highly recognisable today.

One of the Dart’s most interesting chapters came through police service. The Metropolitan Police used SP250s as high speed pursuit cars, particularly to catch café racers and speeding motorists on Britain’s new motorways. That gives the car a genuine cultural edge beyond the usual weekend classic narrative. Only about 2,650 were built, making surviving examples highly collectable and often carefully maintained by enthusiasts who value originality, reliability and period-correct upgrades.

For owners and restorers, Automotive Superstore is a practical place to source the essentials that help keep classics enjoyable on Australian roads. While some Daimler-specific components require specialist sourcing, quality oils, filters, ignition parts, batteries, workshop consumables, cleaning products, tools and accessories all play a major role in preserving a car like the Dart. It is a charismatic reminder that great performance can come in an unconventional package.