The Sunbeam-Talbot 90 was produced by Sunbeam-Talbot (Rootes Group) in the United Kingdom from 1948 to 1954. After that, it was known as the Sunbeam Mk III until 1957. It was a peppy car in a variety of body styles, and if the seller’s drop-top is a MkIIA convertible, it could be one of the rarest of the lot. A restoration has been started on a fairly solid body and the car runs. Now it’s up to someone else to take up the work and bring it to a conclusion. Bravo to Barn Finder Zappenduster for this tip!
Some of the engineering and bodywork was borrowed from pre-World War II models. So, the 90 was not a brand-new car, but new enough to be different from its predecessors. Early examples used a 1,944-cc engine, while later versions increased to 2,267-cc, and horsepower peaked at about 77. Unless you’re into 1950s English cars, you might not have heard of the Talbot 90. So, this is a much rarer vehicle than a Triumph of the same era.
We’re told this S-T 90 has been stored inside for most of its life – and the indicated mileage of 41,000 tends to support that. It seems to be complete, and if it isn’t, I’m not sure where you’d be able to find parts. Thanks to work on the part of the seller, the little car starts and runs without much effort. Some brake work has been done, it was treated to a tune-up, and the 90 has been fitted with new tires. The floors have been cleaned and painted, so perhaps rust isn’t a big factor.
The seller says he/she owns four of these cars, but retirement and the liquidation of his/her shop have necessitated the sale of this vehicle. There is no title, and the Sunbeam has been out of the CA DMV system for ages. If you were looking to do a restomod, the seller says the frame will support a Chevy small-block and automatic transmission. Located in Camarillo, California, this piece of unfinished business is available here on craigslist for $3,600.
I’m an older British car guy and I haven never seen one of these. It’s a very sharp looking saloon and since practically nobody knows what it is, you can restore it (economically) to a fun driver and not destroy any perceived value. The price is extremely reasonable for a running and very complete car. Interior is easy without worrying about originality. It’s my kind of project. It’s very Morris-Minorish!! Regardless of how it is restored, this car will turn heads and bring smiles!!
I bought one, same colour, in 1961 while living in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). I owned it for 3 days, Friday, Sat, and Sunday before trading it in on Monday. Beautifully engineered like all Rootes vehicles, however, it was an absolutely dead loss car that couldn’t pull the skin off a rice pudding!
I love your power analogy!!!!
The price is right and these are getting hard to come by, especially the coupe. This one is rough for sure, so lots of expense and work ahead for a new owner. Hopefully someone will save it, but an SBC? You’d need to add disc brakes, etc. The car would no longer be a Sunbeam Talbot.
I drove one in 1959…just after the Alpine had won the big rally in Switzerland….I remain, most favorably impressed ! great car
You can see one regularly in the TV series Father Brown.
Sould be gone at that price !
Back in the early 1970’s I bought a $50 Rambler from the back lot a local car dealer, sitting next to it was one of these Sunbeams. I knew it was rare then and even more so today. Probably could have gotten that one for $50 bucks as well.
I have a 1600 Toyota twin cam and matched 5 speed trans which would probably fit perfectly in this rig. Too bad it’s in California. I’m in northern Vermont. Not a good transportational fit. Oh well……………….
If I were able to buy it the first thing I would do is get it sorted out so that it drives better than it did when new, and if it is still as dead as last Christmas’ turkey then although I’m very much a purist, in this case a 1600 Twin Cam Toyota sounds good to me. With that engine and gearbox it would be a very nice little tourer.
I wonder if KIP MOTORS is still in business?
Seems like they used to have a lot of parts for British cars such as these –and also Humbers, Hillmans etc.