1963 Sunbeam Rapier

Sold for $8,250 at 2016 RM Sotheby's : Hershey.
The Sunbeam Rapier was in production from 1955 through 1976. Built by the Rootes Group, they underwent several revisions over the years. By 1961, the Series III variant was at the height of production and its success in racing competition. They were the primary rally car for the Rootes Group and its competition division.

This particular example is a Series IIIa Rapier, which was nearly identical to its predecessor. The changes were mechanical and included an aluminum cylinder head, stiffer crankshaft, larger diameter connecting rod bearings, modified oil and water pumps, larger front anti-roll bar, revised clutch, and more. The result was a more powerful and durable vehicle.

This particular example has been given a restoration. It has a light blue upholstery with blue carpeting, a wooden dash, Jaeger instrumentation, four-speed gearbox, Playmate radio, and Smith's Fresh Air Heater. The exterior is finished in two-tone white over blue-grey. It has tailfins, a white convertible top, and whitewall tires. Power is supplied by an overhead valve 1592cc four-cylinder engine offering 80.25 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission, a wheelbase that measures 96 inches, and four-wheel drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2016