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Daimler Dart restoration

by Esmond Tearle

After a bit of a panic last month when we found that the calliper fixing bolts were no longer where they should have been, I was not looking forward to the quest of locating new ones. As it happened, after finding out that David Manners no longer stocked them, I placed a note on the forum at www.dlcentre.com which is basically where many of us Daimler nuts keep in touch. As a result of fellow enthusiast offering advice, I rang a man named Barry Thorne who deals in Daimler SP250 spares. He actually had the correct bolts in stock, and within a few days they had arrived.

Another stroke of luck came along soon after.

I had always intended to fit a stainless steel exhaust system to the car, but at over £440 they aren’t exactly cheap. I know that in theory, it should last virtually forever, but it’s still a big outlay given that there is still a fair way to go with the restoration.

Anyway, I received a leaflet from David Manners stating that to celebrate twenty-five years of selling Dart spares he was offering an aluminised mild steel system for £125.00 including VAT. My last Dart had the same mild steel exhaust it came with when I sold it ten years on, so I figured this was a chance too good to miss. I phoned and placed my order and asked about a fitting kit that is listed at another £47.00.

I couldn’t believe it that the system came with a basic fitting kit included!

Within twenty-four hours, a large white van stopped outside the house and there was my exhaust system well boxed and ready to fit. I reckon if it lasts me five years, which hopefully it will, then it’s a bargain. By then, hopefully I won’t be spending money on the car like I am now, and can then consider a stainless steel system when the need arises.

Another positive step for this month is a nice professionally furbished front calliper.

Basically, one was not quite up to scratch so it was decided to have this sorted out now rather than later. My local motor factors sent this away to a specialist company and it came back as good as new with new pistons and seals. Not cheap, but then things seldom are. The opposite calliper seems fine so there seemed little point in spending more money and having that reconditioned at the same time. However, if there is a slight imbalance between the two when the car is mobile, I will have it done then. Only a brake tester or driving the car will tell, so we will have to wait and see.

Thinking ahead to the bodywork, and the problems I know I will have trying to reshape the front wings to get the original curves back, I have done some research in relation to obtaining new fibre glass panels. The really from news is that they are readily available from David Manners, and they aren’t exactly an arm and a leg to buy. More on that, as and when.

So that’s it for another month. Not an incredible amount to report on, but things are moving in the right direction.

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