An unusual departure for a firm more noted for its stately limousines, the SP250 sports car was Daimler's final fling before its acquisition by Jaguar.

Aimed at the North American market and launched in 1959, the SP250 (originally entitled Dart) employed a separate ladder-type chassis on which sat controversially-styled fibreglass coachwork manufactured by Daimler themselves.

Four-wheel disc brakes were an unusual feature at the time but unquestionably the car's biggest virtue was its magnificent 2.5-litre V8 engine.

An outstandingly flexible unit, the smaller of Daimler's two Edward Turner designed V8s produced 140bhp, an output good enough to propel the SP250 to a top speed of 125mph.

In keeping with the demands of its intended market, automatic transmission was available as an option.

In the late 1950s, the Metropolitan Police had a major problem with what were called, 'Café Racers'.

Groups of youths on motorbikes would gather together at a local café, put a record on the juke...