Descripción
** Mille Miglia Eligible **
In the years following World War Two, British manufacturers enjoyed a great deal of success in international motorsport, and the Rootes Group played a prominent role during this golden era. Its Sunbeam-Talbot 90s won the Team Prize on the Alpine Rally in 1949, 1950 and 1952 – by which time its driver line-up included promising youngsters Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn. Then, in 1955, Per Malling and Gunnar Fadum won the Monte Carlo Rally in their Sunbeam-Talbot 90.
Later that year, Sunbeam introduced the new Rapier – the first of the Rootes Group’s ‘Audax’ range of cars. The four-seat, two-door coupé was designed by the legendary Raymond Loewy and was powered by a 1390cc, four-cylinder engine. The four-speed gearbox was operated via a column change, and the Series I model stayed in production until 1958.
The Rapier was soon being pressed into service by the Rootes Group competition department, and two cars were prepared for the 1956 Mille Miglia under the codename ‘Operation April’. They finished a superb first and second in their class, Peter Harper and Sheila van Damm taking the honours ahead of German crew Wulf Wisnewski and Fritz Boesmiller.
The works Rapiers were back at the Mille Miglia in 1957 – the final year in which the great road race would be held in its original form. This time, Harper and Jackie Reece finished second in class, while van Damm and David Humphrey were an early retirement after crashing in Verona.
None of those original 1950s Mille Miglia cars are thought to survive, and any Sunbeam Rapier Series I is now a very rare car. In fact, the example being offered for sale here is believed to be one of only 12 left, and one of only three that can boast its original body and engine.
It’s an early example that was first registered in May 1956, and in 2011 it successfully took part in the Mille Miglia retrospective. It was then sold to a new owner in 2016, and the following year it returned to the Mille Miglia after he’d spent five months carrying out some light restoration work. Fittingly, the team was accompanied on that occasion by the grandson of Peter Harper. The car then had a dynamo to alternator conversion, reconditioned front leaf springs and a new organic sprung plate fitted to improve the clutch before again returning to the Mille Miglia in 2024.
This charming Rapier is presented in period-correct specification and still features its original 1390cc engine, running on twin carburettors and fed by a works-style bonnet air scoop. It even features a hanging cushion pad on the driver’s side, something that was added to the factory cars so that the driver wasn’t constantly banging their knee.
The Sunbeam comes with an original workshop manual and owner’s handbook, and has been fastidiously maintained during its current ownership. The car is currently fitted with a pair of original period seats for full eligibility, but it also comes with a pair of striking red works style bucket seats. Not only is it eligible for highly prestigious events such as the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique and Mille Miglia – where you could follow in the wheeltracks of Harper and van Damm – it makes an extremely accessible and versatile choice of historic rally car.
The car is currently with Rally Preparation Services sister Company, the RPS storage facility and available for inspection. All viewings and test drives welcomed through direct contact with Rally Preparation Services.
All viewings and test drives welcomed by appointment at Rally Preparation Services.
All enquiries please contact us on using the button below or telephone +44(0)the details below
