Daimler 2.5 V8 / V8-250 History
A Jaguar Mk2 fitted with Daimler's 2.5-litre V8 (1962–1969) — the first Daimler on a Jaguar platform and the best-selling car in Daimler's history.
Photo: “1966 Daimler V8 250 1” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
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Launched late in 1962, the Daimler 2.5 V8 was the first Daimler built on a Jaguar platform: essentially a Jaguar Mark 2 fitted with Daimler's own Edward Turner-designed 2.5-litre V8 (the SP250 engine), plus the traditional Daimler fluted grille, distinctive wheel trims, and revised interior details. It was the first Daimler with a unit (monocoque) body and the last to use a Daimler-designed engine.
From October 1967 a lightly facelifted version was renamed the V8-250, with slimmer bumpers, an alternator in place of the dynamo, and a negative-earth electrical system. Around 17,620 were built between 1962 and 1969 — making it the best-selling model in Daimler's history — before the Jaguar XJ-based saloons replaced both it and the Jaguar Mk2.
Generations
2.5 V8 · Original
Photo: “1966 Daimler V8 250 1” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
The original Mk2-based saloon with Daimler's 2.5-litre V8, fluted grille and unit body; launched late 1962.
1964 Photo: “Daimler 2½-litre V8 (1964) (51337406767)” by Andrew Bone from Weymouth, England / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1966 Photo: “1966 Daimler V8 250 1” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1967 Photo: “Daimler 250 V8 1967 (54132315394)” by Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
V8-250 · Facelift
Photo: “Daimler V8-250 (1968)” by SG2012 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Renamed facelift from October 1967 — slimline bumpers, alternator and negative-earth electrics; the run's final form.
1968 Photo: “Daimler V8-250 (1968)” by SG2012 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1969 Photo: “1969 Daimler 250 V8 (32147783762)” by Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Body styles
- Saloon
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