Description
THIS is a really rare early Rapier. A Series II 1500cc twin-carb with so many early features such as the stunning sports dashboard and steering wheel, matching two-tone seats and of course the biggest rear fins ever to feature on any Sunbeam Rapier from Series 1 to V.
Now, what we also have here is some genuine classic rallying history. This car has real provenance. Driven by Terry Schraider and navigated by Chas Davies, this Rapier won the pre-1960 category of the Historic Rally Car Register's road rally championship in 2000. Schraider and Davies competed in ten of the 11 rallies in the HRCR Azorie Championship and this Rapier never failed to finish. She ended the season with a fine 6th place overall on the rough and wet Ilfracombe Rally behind two Mini Coopers, an Escort RS 2000, a Healey 3000 and a Triumph TR4.
Converted to run on unleaded, she is a great driver although she suffers from external cosmetics which was never of any great concern to the two Rally guys. They did however strip her bare and fabricate much of the new metal work. Only now she is showing her age and would benefit from a re-paint. My belief is that any money spent on the body would only increase the car's value on a pro-rata basis.
There is a three-page magazine article on the car's rallying and its own history plus hundreds of words written to back up the work done to the car. To touch on that just briefly: repairs to the boot floor, to the bottoms of the rear wings, the rear arches, cabin floor, front arches, front bulkhead and guttering.
Painting was done in 1999 using correct Moroccan Brown and Moonstone (Rootes Group colours).
The engine was rebuilt as standard apart from the unleaded conversion. The gearbox was rebuilt and a re-manufactured overdrive fitted on 3rd and 4th. This is currently disconnected. She has had little use in recent years although she did pass an MoT in 2010.
There are photos of work being done and a sheet showing rally history. All finishes from 26 rallies are listed here between 1999 and 2004.
The engine sounds great and oil pressure is strong. She could do with a loving home and some time and effort being put in.
Were she to be in pristine condition body-wise, you would be looking at a 9k Rapier at the very least. She has to be worth a go at half of that. My price is £4500.
