Sunbeam Rapier III
Overview
| Produced: |
1959-1961, 15368 produced. |
|---|---|
| Types: |
Saloon,2 doors,4 seats Convertible,2 doors,4 seats |
Sunbeam first introduced its two door, Hillman Minx based Rapier in 1955. The new model looked modern and attractive and featured a pillar-less side window arrangement. Throughout the models development the Rapier found favour amongst "sporting motorists" and achieved some successes in rally events around Europe.
Sunbeam continued to develop and improve the Rapier and introduced a Mk III version in 1959. The Mk III now had an alloy cylinder head, front disc brakes and a close ratio gearbox. In 1961 the model was updated yet again and became the Rapier Mk IIIA. The Mk IIIA had a new 1.6 litre engine which developed 80bhp and improved performance.
Engines
| Capacity | Config | Model | Bore/Stroke | CR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1494cc | S4 OHV | Hillman S4 OHV | 79mm x 76mm |
Auction Sales History
| Lot Num |
Description | Auctioneer | Date | Hammer Price | Hammer Price (inc premium) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 225 | Sunbeam Rapier Series III Rally Car | Bonhams | 16 Sep 2011 | £20000.00 | £23000.00 |
| 108 | Sunbeam Rapier Series III | Brightwells Auctioneers and Valuers | 13 Jul 2011 | Not sold | |
| 33 | Sunbeam Rapier Series III | H&H Sales Limited | 13 Apr 2011 | Not sold | |
| 50 | Sunbeam Rapier Series III Works Rally Car | H&H Sales Limited | 1 Oct 2010 | - | £21645.00 |
| 542 | Sunbeam Rapier Series III Saloon | Bonhams | 11 Sep 2010 | £9200.00 | £10580.00 |
| 505 | 1960 Sunbeam Rapier Series III Competition Saloon | Bonhams | 11 Jul 2008 | Not sold | |
| 215 | 1960 Sunbeam Rapier Mk III Three Position Convertible | Coys | 30 Apr 2006 | £6587.00 | - |
| 020 | Sunbeam Rapier MKII Saloon | H&H Sales Limited | 21 Feb 2004 | £17500.00 | - |
| 021 | Sunbeam Rapier MkII (1959) | H&H Sales Limited | 14 Feb 2001 | £2600.00 | - |
| 261 | Sunbeam Rapier (1960) | Cheffins | 8 Apr 2000 | £700.00 | - |
Books
| ISBN | Title | Publisher | Buy this book |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870642120 | Practical Classics on Sunbeam Rapier Restoration | Brooklands Books |
|
| 1588500233 | Sunbeam Rapier,Alpine 1955-65 Owners Workshop Manual | Brooklands Books |
|
Magazine Articles
| Title | Pages | Options | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article |
Good sports |
70 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars February 2011 | |||
| Good sports - These sporting tin-tops earned rally and race accolades in their late-Fifties and early-Sixties heyday. Time to discover which stirs the emotions best today. MG Magnette vs Riley One-Point-Five vs Sunbeam Rapier. | ||||
| Article |
Worth the wait |
44 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Monthly July 2009 | |||
| Worth the wait- Martin Rhode spent years looking for a Sunbeam Rapier - then spent a few more restoring it.. | ||||
| Article |
Buying Power - Sunbeam Rapier Series 1-5 |
28 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 5 February 2009 | |||
| Buying Power - Sunbeam Rapier Series 1-5 - Rootes' Sunbeam Rapiers are far more than the Hillman Minx in a posh frock some people image. They are stylish, well-built and even the lowest spec model will whisk you at 80mph. Nick Larkin reports. | ||||
| Article |
Buying Power - Sunbeam Rapier |
24 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 27 January 2005 | |||
| Buying Power - Sunbeam Rapier - The Sunbeam Rapier was Rootes badge-engineering at its best, a definite step upwards from the Hillman Minx and Singer Gazelle. RICHARD GUNN guides you through buying one of the most affordable rally legends. | ||||
| Article |
Run to the Hills - Sunbeam Rapier |
16 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics May 2004 | |||
| Run to the Hills - Sunbeam Rapier - Surrey is a county packed with history and charm. What better way to explore it than in a convertible Sunbeam Rapier? Carlin Gerbich is your guide. | ||||
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