Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Daimler SP250 Dart

He did sound the death knell for the engine certainly.

However Jaguar had owned Daimler, and the V8 engine, for several years by the time Donald Stokes came on the scene.

My understanding is that they had already decided to phase it out as they embarked on a one model policy with the XJ6.

The larger V8 would certainly have been an interesting engine. If only.

I've never heard of one being developed privately or used in a Special, which seems a shame really. Unless anyone knows differently ?

Another although larger sports saloon of dubious looks and of same period was the Jensen CV8. It also had a V8 and fibreglass body styled on the preceeding 6 cylinder 541R, no weight saving though as it was so thick. One of the few cars with a published 0-120 time (29.5 secs)

I owned a Mk II, CYK 23C originally bought by singer Susan Maughan (Bobby's girl). Chrysler 383 (6.3 litre, 330 hp V8), driving skinny cross plies through Torqueflite 3 speed auto and embracing Austin Westminster front suspension



Testament to the thickness of fibreglass was the effort needed to lift that massive bonnet. Lost count of the number of times I bashed my head on the "beak". It did have four wheel disc brakes, Selectaride rear dampers, LSD and Panhard rod for when things got a little scary though

Interesting to note that the Dunlop rear calipers offered poor hand braking, a situation apparently no better 50 + years on with current Morgan rear disc brakes.

As a car enthusiast who was about when the Dart was available new, I dont remember it having a particularly good reputation as a car or being sought after. Both the TR4 and the big Healey were more popular. The Dart was aimed at the US market, hence the V8, but didnt succeed there

The problem with growing old is that we end up thinking sentimentally about cars that in their day we didnt think a lot of.

Very true the rose tinted spectacles go on I think when we reminisce.
My wife ran an MGB GT about 20 years ago and TBH I have had more fun driving a tractor than I ever did it, very over rated IMHO.

People too......

Well you should have got her a V8...…...

Why ? she was happy enough with it

Had a Dart in the early 80's, very strong engine often used by early drag racers, but in the Dart the TR gearbox was it's weak point. I recall the Police models were all autos as they wanted something to catch up with those miscreants on the early M1, probably also stronger than the manual.

Mine was certainly fast once eased off the line, I'm told 80 in 2nd, 110 in 3rd and 130 in top was possible and I couldn't possibly comment! Proved to be very fast cross country transport.

I agree not everyones cup of tea, but to me one of those cars that is actually better looking in the flesh.

I recall that when the Jag engineers, who had been used to driving the E type, first got hold of a Dart they nearly died as the handling was so poor compared to the E type.

I wonder what the little V8 would have been like in an E Type....and in the Triumph Stag?