Sunbeam Rapier mk iii - the underrated sporting 60s classic saloon!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ก.ย. 2024
- Drive this car yourself with a test drive at Drive Dad's Car - all details here: drivedadscar.com
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Sunbeam Rapier
The name ‘Rapier’ was used under two guises, from the mid 50s until the mid 70s, first as the ‘Series’ Cars of which this fits and then from the mid/late 60s as part of the Arrow cars range.
Rootes had a number of names under the Rootes umbrella and instead of doing as British Leyland did in the 70s where they stole sales from themselves, Rootes tended to use the opportunity of various brands to build shared platforms, cross brand technology and canny investments which could benefit more than one name or model.
Rootes recognised that the Minx was their ‘safe saloon’ and it was a steady choice for families - but what could they offer their customer who wanted a bit of spice in their life and the wind beneath their wings whilst getting that saloon benefit? Well, that’s where the Rapier came in.
I’m hopeful I’ll be able to get a Series 1 and 2 at some point, so I’m going to to largely skip over their development, but essentially, the Rapier offered something far more exciting than the Minx with which it initially shared an engine with.
As I mention later, Rootes like many American names, updated their models every few years so we quickly go from Rapier launch in the mid 50s to the Series iii we’re testing today, which launched in the autumn of 1959.
The convertible we’re testing here today was priced at £735 at launch - minus purchase tax and extras and there were just over 15,000 of the cars produced.
We spoke of the Rapier offering something a little more exhilarating than the Minx, but many today will see these at shows and not realise they had an incredible rallying history and a successful one to boot. At the time of this car being sold in 1960 they were riding high, being crowned number 1 british car at Monte Carlo for the third year running and number 1 British car at the Alpine Rally.
The car is fitted with the engine from the Alpine and If you read brochures, the engine is dubbed the rallymaster and was designed to play up to the rallying finesse of the car and was said to give a lively sports performance, but with the added benefit of reliability and economy.
The 1500 engine was giving 73 bhp and a whopping top speed of over 90 miles per hour. To give that some context, motorways had only just begun to appear at the end of the 50s so for the vast majority of owners, this power essentially gave them exhilarating performance far surpassing what was needed for Britain’s network of windy small roads.
Interestingly, they made some clever changes to the engine including fitting an 8 port ally head with increased compression ratio, a new sportier camshaft was fitted and redesigned valves.
The gearbox also benefitted from some tweaks and the changes made gave higher ratios on second, third and fourth gear with reduced angle of gear lever movement. This meant shorter lever travel and snappier changes - which you’ll see on our test drive really counts - even at lower, slower speeds - but was probably enormously beneficial when rallying or racing.
Rootes recognised the power and speed meant the suspension had to change and they fitted the car with fully indepedent front suspension with new, large capacity telescopic shock absorbers. The system, developed in a world where people were constantly greasing this, that and the other, was designed to be easy care and highly efficient.
The car, if you’ve never seen one before, is a fair size is 13ft, 6 and a half inches long and 5ft and half an inch wide. In modern money that’s roughly about 4.1 metres by 1.5 metres.
Good things never last for long and after being introduced in the autumn of 1959, the car was replaced by the Series 3a in 1961.
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It`s not the car looking elegant. It`s Steph looking elegant. 😎
Please,can we agree that both are very elegant 🙂
When I was looking for my first car in the late seventies, I looked at an early sixties Sunbeam Rapier, but I was put off by the handbrake location and the fact it seemed a bit of an old mans car to a seventeen year old. In the end I plumped for a 67 Wolseley Hornet. Great review of a lovely old car which I now regret not buying.
I was in the same position. I desperately wanted a 1725cc Rapier Fastback but couldn't afford one, or the insurance. I ended up with a Fiat 850 Sport Coupe, an absolute dog of a car that was always breaking down and leaving me stranded. Happy days.
@@koll789 I almost bought a Fiat 850! The insurance for my 67 Hornet was £34 a year tpft - which was two weeks wages!
I had a 1964 Riley Elf as my first car when I passed my test so very similar to you - the only difference was this was the late 90s, not the late 60s!
@@brianwillis9673 The insurance on my Fiat was £69, three weeks wages!
love her fashion style
Mr Phillips who lived next door to us had one of these in green. We thought it looked like a rocket ship in the early sixties and marvelled at it with our jaws open. I remember him opening the bonnet and explaining that it had twin carburettors. I had no idea what they were as a small child, all I knew was that it made it go FAST! My Dad had an Austin 10 at the time! Mr Phillips was well into the 'one-upmanship game'. Mrs Phillips was the first housewife in our street to have a front loading washing machine. Ooooooo!
Great video Steph.
I went to my first Motor Show (at Earl's Court,) as a kid, in the early 60s and this is one of the cars I really remember admiring. I have always thought it was a really good looking car. It still looks great today.
I had a mk5 in 1968 we had it tuned by Bob Freeborough a rally driver from the 60s and used to get the ton out of it going down the a5 from Towcester to Dunstable best car I ever had beautiful well done Steph
Not only a car show but a fashion show too. ❤️ All the best and happy new year from Sweden 🇸🇪.
While Jaeger was seemingly the contracted instrument supplier, along with Smith's for the lovely Clock, Lucas the Prince of Darkness was still the supplier of all Electrics on the Sunbeam and must have insisted on letting all aboard be aware of the fact by having his name on the amps clock. What a lovely car.
"Lucas the Prince of Darkness" 😂
Lucas, the Prince of Magical Darkness. Many a lad would use the lapse working electrics in their mode of transportation to engage in physical affection with their love.
@@Skooter-nw3cm
I owned a 1965 Sunbeam Alpine for two years. She never let me down, and was a blast to drive. To make the oil pressure come up after changing the oil, I had to floor her. It scared me to death the first time I did it. She did well getting me around in Tampa, Florida and then Iceland.
I dont know much about old cars but love this Ladies presentation.
Happy New Year to my favourite female car enthusiast!😊
If i could run a classic car it'd be one of these.
Happy New Year Steph. ❤ Love your outfits & presentation style!
x
Hi Steph - yet another great revue, and what a lovely car. Years ago, a colleague bought a fixed head version of this. Two door pillarless motoring, and he also had overdrive too. Thank you so much for all your work over the year, producing such interesting and fun videos. Looking forward to 2024 and everything that you show us then. HAPPY NEW YEAR Steph - thanks and take special care. X X 🙂
My Mum had one of these in the 1960s. It was a two tone green saloon (British Racing Green and light green). It was the first car I drove after passing my test. I loved that car - it looked great and drove better than a lot of other cars on the road. It was almost a poor man's baby Jag. Great review as always - really must visit that museum in 2024.
Great review, the angle of your close ups from the side to the rear showing off the fins made an impressive appearance. Splendid machine. Happy Hogmanay 👍👏👌
This series also saw use with a number of police constabularies; Northumbria, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire, to name some.
Nice little car as well.
Another great video from Steph! Happy New Year, looking forward to many more great rides in 2024! 🥳 🎉 🥂
Steph first of all you look fantastic,straight out of the AMAZING 60's. Not sure how old you are but you would have LOVED the 60's all these cars you feature as kids we used to see all the time. First thing we looked for as a kid was the SPEEDO and how fast it had on the clock. The Sunbeam Rapier is an "iconic" sports car and a beautiful design.
Carol Kirkwood is taken but there's always the lovely Steph.....oh, well, an old guy can still dream
Happy Newcastle Year to all from Australia. ❤️🙏
Really enjoyed that Steph, Happy New Year, looking forward to what 2024 brings. 😊👍
When I was 17 , not even past my driving test , the 1st car I looked at , advertised in the local press ( this was 1978) , was the later Sunbeam Alpine 1725cc , competitor to the MGB. The car was £200.00 , but unfortunately so was the insurance £200, so I had to pass on that one. There was only 7 insurance groups in those days and being a sports car for a 17 year old it gets loaded. Still bought Rootes car as my 1st, it was a Hillman Imp. Nice video , Steph and nice outfit to match
That’s a pity, those Alpines were so easy to drive with great steering feel that I learnt to drift on demand in one, second thoughts maybe you had a lucky escape.
Thank you for the interesting video, as always! That does look a good example. Happy New Year.
Just want to say thank you for always doing such a lovely job and being so smartly dressed. Just love that car
Thank you for your work, this keep history alive. This îs a very good thing. Happy New Year for You!
Lovely car! Happy New Year,Steph! Thanks for your amazing vids! 😘😘🥳🥳🎉🎊🎈
Great looking car, lovely outfit Steph.
Steph - “stylin” this morning !!!
A lovely presentation. Thank you
Love the traditional Welsh woven fabric top.. 😁The car too ofcourse.
Dad owned a Daimler Limousine and the dash, steering wheel had hints of that styling. The exterior was a mini version of Americana of that period. Love it!
Hi Steph,
FABULOUS OUTFIT!!!!!
Many thanks for all your enjoyable work , Happy New Year.. and on to '24..
Cordialement,
What an outfit , Steph ... ! Certainly brought the fireworks for the new year... Took me awhile to notice , there is a car too...
I drove that Minor Million in August ‘22 along with the Capri & MGB GT… the Minor got me hooked on them and helped introduce me to your channel as well as Furious Driving & Hub Nut… and after 15 months waiting I purchased my 1966 Minor last month… hopefully see you at a show in 2024!
Keep up the good work 😁👍
Love the channel x
Thanks for the videos Steph, regards for the season. Greg & Jenny, New Zealand.
I did already see you a few days ago when Ian was doing “The Granada Job”. I like your sixty outfit! Thank you for showing this Rapier and a Happy New Year! Cheers - Martin 🇬🇧🥰🇩🇪
The Rapier was an outstanding variable for Rootes in all its guises . I am not sure but I think I recognise this car as originally purchased in Greenock by a local vet ?? I kind of recognise the Reg . I think it was supplied by Church Bros .
I saw the reg on the car and thought if that is the original plate it will be a Greenock registered vehicle. My Dad had quite a few VS registrations over the years. I remember Church Bros I’m sure they had a garage on Johnstone Street.
This is one car that I have never driven, I used to own a scrapyard so I have driven most cars, I remember rolling a bubble car down a hill off road it didn't roll straight down because of its shape it rolled like a pendulum, the good old days of stupidity with bruises
Another great video Steph. Happy new year to you 🎊 🎉
In the late 60s, I worked at Rootes Motors in Barlby Road West London as a student. I was in the PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) Department, getting cars cleaned up for their new owners. We cleaned Hillman, Sunbeam , Singer and other Rootes Marques. I always liked the Rapier as a "shape" compared with the other cars and particularly the Soft-top.
Hi Steph The first thing I noticed was that the registration VS. It would have been originally registered in Greenock, Scotland. The local authority were responsible for issuing the docs. In the sixties my late Dad owned the next series of Rapier reg YHS760 colour metallic green, complete with overdrive in 3rd and 4th. It was even used to tow a Sprite major caravan. Happy New Year, Crawford
Mr Moores the local plant hire and builders firm owner had one of these,a hard top in grey with a red roof,red side flash and red interior. They were also very popular rally cars too. Lovely job Steph and a lovely outfit too.
love your outfit, a vibe to match a great car
A shout out to Welsh Woollen Industries. When I was at university every bedspread in the College used a similar pattern, but in a variety of colours!
My wife’s uncle was a serial Rapier owner culminating in an H120
He had 2 of the subject of your test Steph.
Nice review Steph. Aging well and the cars looking swell too. Have a productive 2024.
I remember all these British cars running in the wild when I was a young boy in the Netherlands.
That was a great review Steph, happy new year and I wish you a fantastic 2024
Good car your test Rapier. I couldn't see the tyres through the inner wings and the headlamps were solidly mounted in the front wings. My dream car when I was 16. I Ireally wanted the 1725 series 5 but I was the only person who did as Rootes only sold 3,500 of them between 1966 and 1967. Very rare now as Rapiers were full of unpainted sections, double skins and dead air box sections, especially the dropheads which shared Minx/Gazelle convertible bodyshells with extra bracing rails underneath.
Cool outfit. Great video. Always liked the shape of the Rapier.
Had one enjoyed it and the overdrive.
Hi Steph, Sending the Bestest wishes for a Great 2024 ❤❤❤.
Thanks for another great video. My Grandfather was always a big fan of Rootes cars, despite having owned a Daimler and a Riley, because they were so well made and a cut above the competition, and they drove so nicely. I have early memories of being hustled around in a Hillman Husky, which I loved. I've always had a soft spot for Rootes cars ever since, and so I was delighted to see you with this Rapier today. I absolutely love your videos, and look forward to them each week. Happy New Year to you Steph, can't wait to see what you'll be driving in 2024!
When I was a kid in the 1970s, these were definitely 'old and boring' cars driven by grandads and held no interest for me. However, in the mid-1990s I was stuck in a line of traffic alongside the wall of Greenwich Park trying to get home. Right in front of me, there was one of these being driven by what can only be described as a 'babe' (you can tell she made an impression!). The young woman driving it was stunning, but she was driving an old man's car which was playing with my head, but she looked so right in it. Ever since then, I have thought of these cars as quite glamorous as they probably did in the 1950s.
Nice outfit Stef.
Need to find a car to match.
I never liked these - even in their heyday - the styling is a bit fuddy-duddy. On the other hand I do really like your outfit. You'd look great on anybody's driveway! Happy New Year to you.
I’ve always liked these - so stylish. The rattles on this one would do my head in though.
This car has a lot of character.
Rootes usually put the handbrake between the seat and the door. They even did it on the Arrow cars which as far as I know never had bench seats. The Imp didn’t have it but nearly everything else they made did until the Avenger came out under Chrysler. I suppose this Rapier was just based on the Hillman Minx though and a lot of those had bench seats.
An excellent review as always Steph.
Great review of a car I have always liked. Any time i mentioned Hillman or any of the other Rootes cars, Ma would turn up her nose with the comment "You can have it!" Her first car was a 54 Hillman Minx that left much to be desired, although it was better than the 58 Vauxhall Velox that replaced it
Love your colorful outfits!
Looking very similar to the 'Singer Gazelle' we had in NZ....👍🙂🇳🇿
I had a 1961 IIIA back in '69 and I loved it. Used to go like sand off a shiny shovel.
I had the saloon version from 1967-1969. Reg 1905 MH. Sadly no longer on the road. It was really comfortable, powerful enough and turned heads. This is a great review!
These Rootes Group cars in the 60's were marvellous and so well built.
Names such as Humber, Sunbeam, Singer and Hillman were synonomous with quality.
I had a Singer Vogue from new in NZ in 1966 - 1725cc engine. I always regretted selling her, but it was in a good cause - to buy a house!! What could you sell these days to buy a house?
Such has been the devaluation of money.
I used to have a hardtop version. I bought it in about 1977 as a non-runner (blown head gasket) for £50. I basically stripped and rebuilt the engine on the seller's driveway in an afternoon. Very easy to work on. Then followed two years of pure enjoyment. Of course, now I wish I'd never sold it. And it was very sporty - a friend had an MG Magnette saloon. We could easily match each other - although I think I had the edge.
Very comfy for long journeys - mine had overdrive and I eventually fitted white wall tyres. Great car!
Hi steph hope you are well thank you for your hard work in 2023 all the best for 2024 😊
Thanks for the memories.....I had 2 of these in the 60's.....fun cars.
Hi Steff! Sheila van Damm would be proud of you and would love to have given you a very fast circuit of that estate road! 😃😃😃
The Series cars were always very well made and lasted for years! The right mounted handbrake continued in the later Arrow cars!
I had one of these 40+ years ago but a 1962 1600cc hardtop version. Bloody good car. The sound it makes going up through the gears really takes me back.
Nice outfit from “Dr. Zhivago “.
I remember reading a road test of one in an Australian car magazine. But being a test of a private import , I never saw one of those on the road in Australia but did see a few of the earlier pillar less Hillman coupes running, but usually with those special frameless windows not holding up well.
I too had a Rapier, mines was a series 3A. Like this car, mines didn't have the overdrive either. Had a factory radio but no clock. My Rapier was a hard top. I don't mind the hand brake by the drivers door, in fact my 1997 Holden Ute has the hand brake down by the door. Love it! But the Rapier on here brought back memories. Thanks for a great presentation Steph.
In the late 60's I had a 3B, loved the woodwork and Jaeger instruments. Really classy car. Had a Holbay engined Hunter in the 70's, that was fun but no class like the Rapier.
Thanks for a great overview. This was a most desirable car at that time, with the wow factor and the overdrive
Lovely!!!!!!!!!!! Now if you could find a Sunbeam Alpine Mk1...
Your looking very period for the age of the car great video happy new year steph
My second car was a 1959 fixed head Series 3 rapier (747 SPC). It had the Alpine carb set up and I suspect that it might have had a different cam, possibly the flywheel had been lightened as well as it didn't so much tick over as lump over. It was Grey over Green and it was pretty rapid for the day. As I had learned to drive in a Minx, everything was in a familiar place. I learned a lot about car control from it and had a lot of fun. I took my Mother and Aunt on a week's tour of Scotland in it (covering about 2000 miles in total) and it didn't miss a beat. Whilst staying in Inverness over breakfast we watched Neil Armstrong take his first moonwalk.
It had replaced a 1956 Wolseley 4/44 and was followed by a 1948 Armstrong Siddeley Hurricane (which was the drophead coupe), a very different kind of car. The Wolseley had a column change, the Sunbeam had a floor change and the Armstrong had a pre-selector (and a lovely HMV valve radio).
All three had a strong character, they looked and felt individual, something lacking where modern cars are concerned.
Another 'sleeper' you might want to look out for would be the first shape Rover 420, the only external give away is the very small bulge on the bonnet in front of the driver. We had the Saloon version in Goodwood Green (naturally!) and it was a very comfortable and quick machine, pretty much on a par with the contemporary Golf GTI so far as performance was concerned.
Wonderful first gear whine! A lovely old car. Great video, Steph!
One of my cousins had one. His was in dark grey with a black strip black interior and black roof. A really nice car although I can't recall the year. This one looks well preserved though I am wondering if all those wheels in the boot may be partly to blame for the rattling? Great review Steph, Happy New Year to you. 👍👍
An overdrive model would be an interesting drive... My Triumph 2500 had o/d on 3rd and 4th which really added to the driving experience.
I drove that actual car earlier this year, frankly only because for a reduced rate you could drive a second car (I'd really gone to drive a Rover P4). My impression at the time was much as you expressed in the video, I was really pleasantly surprised and impressed by what a good car it is. I found the engine smooth, responsive and very flexible and the steering nicely weighted and responsive. I think these Rootes cars fly under the radar these days and would make a great buy for anyone wanting a pleasurable and affordable classic
You know your old cars, many thanks, as a young man i always thought it was just a re named Hillman Minx, until my Father pointed out the special engine, and other up graded items, I'd love one now.
Great video thanks for sharing 👍.
The era when the ladies could still drive without removing their hat or getting their hairdo squashed.
When me and my family went to the UK in 74, dad swapped a Ford Anglia and 100 quid for a Rapier, was grey with a black roof, got us around the UK fro 3 months, was good car really, just enough room for 2 adults and 3 kids, tired to buy one here in Australia, but guy wouldn't sell it, nice to see the old classic
Happy new year, looking well even with one leg😅
Nice car
My Grandfather's car had the overdrive in 3rd and 4th gears I think his had the 1725cc engine with twin carbs from memory but being a such long time I maybe wrong.
A GREENOCK CAR ❤
There are several cars that I would love to have a drive in. It would be pointless for me to drive one I already have driven, or even drive one that I never have been [or never would] be able] to afford, so my choices would be the Reliant Robin, Austin Ruby, or the old Wolseley as prime choices, though it would be lovely to try the Series II Land Rover or one of the Morris Minors, both of which I am familiar with.
Perhaps I'll give myself a treat in 2024!
Love your videos, dear Steph. Have a Happy new year! Best wishes from George
Thank you for the metric Steph, it's really appreciated.
Another fab outfit - I recall seeing you and Matt in Ians video.
I hope that you might one day make a Rootes deep-dive sometime from your perspective/accumulated experience.
I drove one not entirely legally in the early 1960s. The steering went a bit light at speeds over 65mph on a bypass.
Good luck with the channel in 2024 👍👍👍
Steph, This is an excellent car, my brother owned a 1963 Rapier MK 3A it was a special tuned engine by George Hartwell with a close ratio gearbox, overdrive on second, third and four it was very rapid performance. I wish I had kept it when he passed away. great video, nice memories. Happy New Year. Bob
Lovely. I really wanted one of these, but they were so hard to find (used) for sale (in the 60s); but I did have the equivalent minx which was lovely and soft, also a Humber Sceptre and three Hunter Estates including the singer Vogue version. All excellent, and indestructible!
I've only seen the fixed head version of this car, 2 young lads on my town had a gold/ black highlights one a few years ago in pristine condition, it certainly used to turn heads, unfortunately I don't know whatever happened to that car. The performance for the era is pretty impressive, especially being a 1500 with only one carb fitted.
What a lovely car Steph, really eager to get going. It really should be allowed onto the open road at some point.
Happy New Year and have a great 2024!