Lot 78: Sunbeam Rapier Fastback
The Sunbeam Rapier had always been Rootes answer to the gentleman's sports saloon and 1967 saw the unveiling of a new fresh look. Codenamed Arrow , the new Rapiers were based on the Hunter floorpan with a body styled by Roy Axe, some say along the lines of the Plymouth Barracuda, a fact denied by the designer. Using the brilliant 1,725cc 5-bearing Rootes engine developing 88bhp thanks to its twin Strombergs and mated to a 4-speed gearbox with overdrive, they were good for 103mph and 060mph in 12.8 seconds. Very respectable performance for the day. In all just over 46,000 were produced. This Linwood-produced car was purchased new by a Mr Harris from his local Sunbeam dealer in Bristol. The accompanying original invoice shows that he paid £1,493.29 and collected it on 14th May 1973 having wisely spent extra having it Ziebart treated a factor no doubt partly responsible for its current superb condition. He religiously maintained the car as a full main dealer service history attests and following his death the car passed to an owner in the West Country. It was then offered for sale in 1990 by The Armada Garage in Plymouth. They sold it for £2,250 with 52,000 miles on the clock, stating in their advert that it had been garaged all of its life and was in the most amazing condition. It has subsequently been re-waxoiled in all of its box sections and had a new clutch and stainless steel exhaust fitted. Now with just 59,000 miles showing, the headlining remains spotless, as do the seats and carpets and the vendor informs us that it drives really well with no rattles and shows a surprising turn of speed. MOTd until August 2012, there are very few of these models still running on the road and virtually none in such a lovely original state.
| Auction |
Collectors Motor Cars Brightwells Auctioneers and Valuers, The Imperial War Museum, Duxford |
|---|---|
| Type | Car |
| Lot Number | 78 |
| Outcome | SOLD |
| Hammer Price | £3500 |
| Hammer Price (inc premium) | - |
| Year | 1973 |
| Condition rating | |
| Registration number | MHW 948L |
| Mileage | - |
| Chassis number | L3190823157 |
| Engine number | L3190823157 |
| Engine capacity (cc) | 1725 |
| Engine - cylinders | |
| Number of doors | 2 |