Description
A stunning example of an early Sunbeam Rapier Series II Hardtop Coupe (First of the fins) All matching numbers car, still with its original Rallymaster 1. 5 litre engine/ gearbox. All details to the vehicle match the Rootes archive certificate. Originally registered from a dealership in Bristol, dealership sticker is still on the inside of the passenger door, and retains its original Bristol registration and still has the original painted aluminium number plates supplied by the dealer when first registered. Colour scheme - exterior iceberg over cyprus green, although the cyprus green has been up-lifted to match exactly to the advertising brochure. Interior - fathom grey over glacier blue, with matching new Wedgwood blue carpet and door cappings. The interior is still the original and has aged related marks (patina) but still displays exceptionally well, with the very early Duke Box dash, as they are nicknamed and only fitted to the Series I and Il’s. This car has gone through extensive body restoration over a 4 year period by a professional body shop, with excellent body lines panel fit and paint finish which includes new old stock outer sills, replacement of both doors with perfect rust free examples, repair panels (made by a specialist to exact specification) to the bottom lower front and rear wings. No repairs were required to the boot floor or floor pan, as it is exceptionally solid and is well presented and rust proofed. The chrome work is very good, and been done at some stage as well as the interior head lining, the brakes have also been rebuilt with a new master cylinder, calipers and brake linings, recently the wiper motor has been totally refurbished and looks new including the radiator and stainless steel exhaust. Fitted are the correct lucas P700 headlights and optional Lucas fog/ spot lights. The engine has excellent compression and oil pressure reading from the gauge. This car is fitted with a laycock de Normaville overdrive within 3rd and 4th gears and works perfectly. The carburettors have been replaced at some early stage with the very rare and in period Alexandra conversion as an option, and is now on SU’s and not Zeniths. I have owned the car for 10 years and comes with a years MOT with no advisories. This car drives exceptionally well with a smooth engine and comfortable ride. Some known history of previous owners, car was known in the Rapiers owners club during the 1980’s and 90’s and I believe did the 1994 Norwich run. This car has never been a wreck and always maintained by previous owners, but the time had come when it needed to be bodily restored. There is a bills and receipts file including brochures workshop manual and promotional material when new. This is a remarkable survivor of these now very rarely seen and most collectible of the early Rapier series very rarely come on the market. When I last checked with DVLA there were less than 20 Series II Rapiers registered on the road of 15, 151 produced during 1958/ 59.
