1959 Sunbeam Rapier Series II

Lot details
Registration No: 8183 AC
Chassis No: A3814187
Mot Expiry: Exempt

- In the current ownership since 1986

- c.11,200 miles only, overdrive gearbox fitted

- Two tone Deco Cream and Light Blue

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 the Singer Gazelle. A complete departure from the Sunbeam MKIII it replaced, it was a modern-looking two-door, four-seat Coupe. 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. Some 15,151 Series IIs had been produced by the time the model was eclipsed by the Series III in 1959.

The lovely concours-winning Series II on offer is one of the best we've seen for a while, being in almost as new condition with a recorded mileage of just 11,220 to date and three owners from new. The Sunbeam is finished in Deco Cream and Light Blue matched to a Cream-piped Light Blue interior. These days, '8183 AC' is powered by a 1750cc Rootes engine rather than its original 1494cc unit. It drives through a replacement overdrive gearbox. Recent maintenance has seen the radiator; fuel pump and filter; hoses and drive belts; all replaced with new items. The vendor has owned the Rapier since 1986 and currently rates the bodywork, two-tone paintwork, interior trim, engine and gearbox as all being in 'excellent' order. A time warp example of a much loved model.