Daimler needed new models and in 1956 asked Triumph engineer Edward Turner to design a V8 saloon. Turner went to Jack wickes and together they produced the 2½-litre V8 engine with hemispherical alloy head, and Wickes produced designs for a sedan. However the Daimler thought sales of sports cars held more promise on the American market and they dropped the idea of a V8 sedan in favour of a sports car. Jack Wickes also drew up the SP250 body design, fabricated out of fibreglass on a box steel chassis; a steel-bodied prototype was also produced. Launched at the 1959 Motor Show, the SP250 had disc brakes on all four wheels. The SP250 sold poorly, chassis flex and controversial looks counted against it, and the high price was also bad for business. The SP250 was revised as the version B in 1960 with strengthened chassis, and as the version C in 1963 with improved equipment. Production ended in 1963 after 2643 were sold.