2.5 litre hemi Brit roadster build thread

(I posted this on the GRM site, and a few people recommended I post here too. I do buy this magazine occasionally, so I should have thought of this myself!)

The car is a B-spec 1962 Daimler SP250. It was bought new by my dad in 1962 and has 40,000 original miles on it. It hasn't turned a wheel under its own power since 1966.

I'm having a nut-and-bolt restoration performed on it by a Brit car specialist in Ontario; it's going to take a few years. I'll add pics as they come. I'm dependent on the restorer sending the pictures, since I'm a few provinces over - about 3000 kms away.

Loaded on the trailer, ready to go to the shop, May 2007:

Arrived at the shop. This picture gives you a good idea of how small it is (I'm 6'1"). I'm on the left of the car, holding a bunch of receipts from the glovebox (kind of cool, I have all receipts, including original bill of sale).

Looks a bit like a catfish, but you can't deny, the thing does have character. I've driven a few around and uhhh, you don't get ignored in this thing. Especially if you hear it. This is one of the nicest sounding V8s ever, IMO.

Yep, it's a V8. Yep, Lucas electrics. Yep, the entire wiring loom is being replaced!

Fins! This thing is low to the ground. If you're sitting it it, you could literally strike a match and light it on the road surface.

With progress, the frame is off, seats and everything ripped out: Bit nasty looking, but everything's being rebuilt, so no matter:

Everything is very solid under there. It's a big heavy frame, but there can be corrosion damage in the front crossmember. This one's fine.

Body's being prepped. It's getting a new gel coat, and there was a little accident damage from 1966 on the rear driver's side fender that can be repaired. It's quite strong glassfibre and fares well in collisions with modern cars, so I've heard.

The stage I'm at now. The frame was sandblasted to bare metal and painted with epoxy. I'm quite happy with this. I'd love to send more money and get more work done on it, but I'm getting the work done as I can pay for it.

More updates when I get them!

James 1962 Daimler SP250 100933

Some chassis and suspension details. Note, this is not intended to be a concours car. It looks nice, and I'm going for originality, but it's not perfect, especially in a few places where things won't be seen.

For example, the handbrake linkage isn't polished (seriously, people have done things like that). I just don't care. The car's for driving.

Extensive bodywork, over $11,000 worth, to break the driver's side door to fix accident damage from 1962, when my father left the handbrake off while opening a gate but forgot to set the e-brake. All of the panel gaps throughout the car have been made true (better than factory), the shell has been strengthened, and three coats of primer have been applied, with hand-sanding and skims of filler applied between coats.

Further accident damage from 1966, shortly before the car was put away, from where a fellow drove into my father in a parking lot and managed to drive away before getting caught. Well, it's finally fixed.

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The following are in sequence of priming and sanding:

A recent Toronto Star article on Howe Motor Works, who are conducting the restoration: http://www.wheels.ca/article/785310

Now, with paint!

Eight coats of Porsche Silver, three coats of clear.

Just got the pics right now, and I'm very happy with the way it looks!

Interesting. My dad utterly munched 2nd gear. First gear had been replaced, because he munched that. The transmission and axle really aren't up to the power of the car and the car was not driven gently.

Engine's together, been handported. New rings, pistons, bearings, etc. It was in quite good shape, just requiring a bit of machining, which was a pleasant surprise, since it hadn't been stored properly.

The engine was also crack- and pressure-tested and came out with flying colours. I think having only 40,279 original miles on it helped.

Finally, pictures from today. The body was put onto the chassis this morning.

It's starting to look like a car again :)

See? I knew this car would look glorious here on the Classic Motorsports site.

Thanks for sharing this with the community.

Looks great and how awesome to see someone restoring their fathers original baby... What a treasure!

Tom Heath wrote: See? I knew this car would look glorious here on the Classic Motorsports site. Thanks for sharing this with the community.

LOL.

And I seriously DO buy this magazine. I don't know why I didn't think of posting here.

Vince wrote: Looks great and how awesome to see someone restoring their fathers original baby... What a treasure!

Thanks!

Great car to begin with, a beautiful restoration job done by the shop, and a very nice photo essay of the rebuild process. Thanks for posting!

I've wanted one of these since I first saw a pic in the 80's. Mentioned it to my dad and he said he had one for awhile. This is a beautiful resoration.

Remember the nicest thing is how it sounds :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8dZGmQa8vc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmBepSwAtio

Not really a double comment unless they're both the same.

Nice to hear feedback, thank you!

If I ever become a Buddist monk and divest myself of all of my possessions, I'll keep you in mind.

(note, this probably won't happen)

Turning out beautiful, that is!

BTW, you know there's a really rare 4.5l version of this engine?

Oh yes, they've been shoved under the bonnet of these cars. Parts are hard to come by though.

While I am not really here....Nice car.