Sunbeam was a long-lived British marque that was bought up by the Rootes Group in 1934 before eventually finding its way under the Chrysler Europe banner (of all things). They made cool little cars such as the Alpine, the Tiger, the Imp, and this Rapier Convertible (drop-head coupe, if you prefer). This Rapier appears to be a Series II version, based on the grilles and the two-tone paint scheme, but the Rapier’s styling didn’t change much from 1955 through 1967; and regardless of series, you’re unlikely to find one in the United States. Happily, our friend and Barn Finds reader T.J. did, and it’s on Marketplace in Daytona Beach. If you’re a fan of this august British nameplate, you may want to give this one a look.
The seller only includes four pictures in the advertisement, and this is the only one of the engine compartment. It apparently had some form of mechanical restoration four years ago, and is currently running, driving, titled, and insured. If the engine is original, it’s a 1494cc four-cylinder with two Zenith carburetors, which was enough to produce 73 horsepower and a 90 mile-per-hour top speed, in addition to fuel economy of over 30 miles per gallon (this one has overdrive). The Rapier was also a fairly successful works rally car in the late ’50s and early ’60s, finishing fifth in the Monte Carlo Rally in the year that this convertible was built. This was an exciting time for factory rally teams, and Sunbeam always seemed to keep itself in the mix, even though they rarely found their way to the top of the leaderboard. While this Rapier will probably never find its way to a timed rally, it will be a lot of fun on a winding road with the top down.
The interior looks as if it’s been treated to some new upholstery (nice stuff, too!), and Sunbeam graduated to a floor shifter in this generation Rapier. The horn ring confused me in my attempt to identify the series of this car; according to my sources, the Series III got a “full horn ring” compared to the Series II’s half ring. As you all know, however, a lot of changes can be made to a car over the course of 65 years. Not a big deal either way.
This picture proves that the Rapier indeed has a trunk lid, but little else. Still, if you’re in the Daytona area (you’re lucky this time of year!), you may want to jump on this one quickly. It’s priced at $10,500 and you’re unlikely to find another one in any condition.
Yet another car ad without enough pictures. “Come on, you got the camera out, click some pics!” This car, due to its uniqueness, needs to be shown…unless there are what I suspect, rust issues.
Always liked the design of this car. They only seem to pop up about once year. I recall seeing one (I think on Barnfinds) about 2 yrs ago – and also in Fla. I have a 63 Alpine. Someone once referred to Rootes as the “Pontiac of Britain” – a quality car for a decent price….
If your looking for one of these, I had one for sale om Facebook marketplace for years I finally got tired of trying to sell it so I basically gave it away to a father son, get it running YouTube video channel. they still have it. Mine was a 1958 Sunbeam Rapier convertible it had a fancy 2 carb, engine in it. never hear it run. the body was rusted out. but looked nice from a distance. I have a few photos of it from when I was selling it. I can send you.
Is the collector of these considered a Rapist??
The Pontiac of Britain would be Vauxhall, and back in the 1950s some USA Pontiac dealers sold a handful of Vauxhall Victors in USA..
The supply of west coast Sunbeams came through Kenosha Auto Transport in Richmond California. When damaged in transit cars were still salable, my Father would go there to see whatever they had for sale. My Mother once was given a new Hillman Minx to drive , which after having Cadillac and Chrysler and Hudson, she found to be wonderfully nimble as well as economical. I don’t think Dad even bid on these as the locals had a much bigger clientele and would pay more with less shipping expense. This appears to me to share the proportions and styling of the Hillman. I don’t think they were corporate siblings until the BMC disaster, were they?
Hillman never fell under the banner of BMC or British Leyland, Dave. They were part of the Rootes Group until Chrysler Europe bought them, and that was pretty much the end of Hillman.
My father bought a new Rapier, two – tone red & white, in 1958. Wildly impractical for a family with four growing boys aged 2 – 9. My mother absolutely hated the car, and threatened divorce over it. Dad traded it toward a 1959 Mercedes 220 S Cabriolet for himself, while getting a 1959 Dodge 3 seat wagon for Mom and the boys. Unfortunately, he had to give the Mercedes to his lawyer for fees incurred when Mom did divorce him in 1966. My older brother and I always loved the Rapier and the Mercedes, and spent the next 50 years wishing we still had them. This is the most intact Rapier I have seen in decades.
VERY rare here in the UK, the Sunbeam was basically the same as a Hillman Minx but on steroids, dual carbs, overdrive, maybe a brake servo? maybe disc brakes? they made a two door and a soft top Rapier, from memory!
My older sister’s first car was a Minx. It was miserable, no power, a stump puller first gear and a gearbox that sang like opera singer in any gear but top. It was a drop top (like this car) and if you weren’t careful when putting it up the pieces over the doors could take your fingers off. She finally got rid of it and got a big Healey, but it was easy to see why HIllman floundered in the US. With more power and an OD it’s likely a lot better car, but most pedestrian cars from this period were not Britan’s finest hour…
Same car, pretty sure @ Hershey-2 yrs ago, lots more info,, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr1cKjuKRqk
That’s absolutely the same car – thanks, Walt!