Description
The Series Sunbeam Rapiers were an outstanding range of cars produced by the Rootes Bros. from the mid 50s to early 60s.
The 3a, last of the series range, was fitted with a high compression 1600cc engine producing 80bhp & achieved a top speed of 90mph.
Rapiers quickly established themselves as front runners in many competition classes, with class wins in the Mille Miglia, Coupes des Alpes, Monte Carlo Rally plus in 1958 an outright win in the RAC Rally.
They were trail blazers, back in their day, possessing many innovative ideas & design features.
Such as the sprung bonnet & boot lids, easy to raise & lower hood mechanism.
The hood stows neatly flush with the body & has a mid way Coupe de Ville position.
The 3a has front disc brakes, a walnut wooden dashboard & better quality interior trim.
Our car has covered just 66850 miles & we are the 4th owners.
We have the paper trail from new. The second owner, a marine engineer, cherished the car for 48. 5 years!
The car was restored in 2000 by Brian Withington, who was SROC Technical Advisor & worked on Rootes cars all his life.
The car has a sound body, good paintwork & is in fine mechanical order, with a quiet & responsive engine, smooth transmission with working over drive. The original radio works too.
A nice touch being the number plates. We purchased new backing plates from Tippers, refurbished the letters/ numerals & remounted.
It adds to the period charm having correct plates with the original number. Also the car retains the original Lucas P700 Tripod headlights.
Both the hood & hood bag were replaced in recent years by a trimmer.
In our ownership the car has received a new clutch master cylinder, new timing chain & tensioner, new water pump, the distributor rebuild by the Distributor Doctor, new battery, new dynamo, new front shocks & 4 x 165/ 80 x15 Continental tyres.
The car attracts much attention in the wonderful colour combination of Moonstone & Powder Blue with Powder Blue interior trim.
In 2019 this car won The Presidents Cup at Classic & Sports cars by the Lake against 712 entries based on it's appeal alone!
The car will come with the winners plaque & framed certificate, as shown in the photos.
Complete with history, invoices, Original Works Manual & Hand book, Original jack, wheel brace, starting handle & tool roll & cover.
The car represents a wonderful opportunity to own a rare, usable & desirable classic.
Deposit received with completion planned Tuesday 3rd May.
