Making its European debut at the 1959 Earls Court Motor Show, the Daimler SP250 was controversial from the start. Its body was fibreglass, its styling polarised opinion and it had a V8 engine which was unusual in Europe at that time.  Even its planned name “Dart” had to be changed following objections by the Dodge Corporation. It was in truth, the last roll of the dice for the financially weak Daimler Company who had eyes on the lucrative market in the USA for British sports cars.  Daimler was bought by Jaguar in 1960 who continued SP250 production and its brilliant Edward Turner designed 2.5 litreV8 engine was later used in the saloon.  SP250 ceased production in 1964 after a volume of some 2650 cars had been made.  The saloon continued until 1969.