Lot details
Registration No: 168 UXD
Chassis No: B3063358DDH50
Mot Expiry: None

Announced at the London Motor Show of 1955, the Sunbeam Rapier was the first of a new range of Rootes cars that was soon to include the Hillman Minx and Singer Gazelle. A complete departure from the Sunbeam MKIII it replaced, it was a modern-looking two-door, four-seat saloon. Standard equipment included leather trim and overdrive and the cars were finished in a selection of attractive two-tone colour schemes. The bodies were built by Pressed Steel, shipped to Thrupp & Maberly in London for painting and trimming and then moved to the Rootes plant at Ryton-on-Dunsmore for final assembly. Though initially a little underpowered, the Rapier had inherently excellent handling and was quickly adopted for rallying. Indeed the launch of the Series II version took place at the end of the 1958 Monte Carlo Rally in which Peter Harper's Works Rapier had finished fifth overall. By the time the MKIIIA was announced in 1961, many improvements had been made to the car, including an increase in engine capacity to 1592cc.

'168 UXD' is a right-hand drive 1962 Sunbeam Rapier IIIA of interesting provenance - ie it is a Ryton-built recreation of the Rootes team Rapiers of the period, and was first supplied to Rootes Director Philip Langford who owned it for 27 years. The second keeper, David Astle, campaigned the Sunbeam on the Monte Carlo Challenges of 1990 and 1994, as well as the 2002 Rally of the Tests, while the third keeper, Robert White, used it for the 2004 Liege Rome Liege event. The Rapier was prepared and serviced ready for the 2005 season, at which point it was acquired by the current owner via our Stoneleigh Park sale of that year. These days it is said to be in "generally good running order" and to have retained its original specification throughout, with the exception of a few spares and such modern safety enhancements as Recaro seats, Willans rally harnesses and a Safety Devices rollover-bar. With their commodious interiors and sharp handling, Rapiers are well suited to long distance historic rallies. '168 UXD' provides a rare opportunity to buy one with nigh-on continuous competition history.