Description
This is an absolute stunner. Presented in virtually unmarked Dark Green metallic over Light Green with Black trim piped Green, this fabulous late-model Series IV Rapier has just arrived at Shore Classics and without any doubt, it won`t be with us for long! With substantial history for the first half of it`s life and a documented engine rebuild just 4 years ago, the Rapier drives as good as it looks with an all-synchromesh gearbox and working Overdrive making it the perfect summer daily and very useable for longer cross-country runs. If you`re in the market for an eye-catching example with nice provenance that can be used and enjoyed immediately, look no further.
Introduced at the London Motor Show in October 1955, the Rapier was the first of the Audax range of cars manufactured by the Rootes Group under the Sunbeam, Hillman and Singer brands. Always a 4-seater 2-door coupe or convertible, styling was undertaken in-house albeit heavily borrowed from the design prectice of Raymond Loewy and the 1953 Studebaker range. The Hillman and Singer counterparts (Minx and Gazelle respectively) followed a few months later and offered 4-door and estate car options and different trim levels. Initially offered with a 1390cc engine producing 62BHP, the Series I cars soon attracted interest from the racing and rally fraternity with early success in the 1958 Monte Carlo Rally. As the car evolved through four further generations, engines became bigger and power increased with parallel improvements in brakes, suspension and transmission. Launched in late 1963, the Series IV itself was both advanced and relatively luxurious by contemporary standards with redesigned bodywork, frameless side windows, a revised dash layout, adjustable steering column and better front seats. Mechanically all suspension joints became sealed for life, whilst servo-assisted brakes and lighter clutch dramatically improve the driving experience. By the mid-1960`s, Rootes, seeking to launch their all-new Rapier fastback, decide to give the old design its final flourish with the Series V available from September 1965. The main upgrade - the engine - a 1725cc 5-bearing unit developing 91BHP giving the coupe a maximum speed of 95MPH. Within 20 months, the model was discontinued in favour of the new Arrow range.
Our car dates from April 1965 making it a late-model Series IV. Ordered on the 20th March at Ewell Downs Motor Services in Surrey by a local doctor, delivering was taken on the 1st April, the Rapier being registered on the doctor`s own private plate, “YPC 257”. A copy of the original sales invoice documents the car being an Overdrive model supplied with whitewall tyres. He retained the car until March 1983 using Ewell Downs for regular servicing (sadly records were mislaid in a house move) when the Rapier was sold as a light restoration project to a young gentleman in Farnborough. At point of sale, the car was re-registered as “KPK 320C” and subsequently repaired and repainted before being sold on to the owner`s father in Aldershot just a year later. Used and enjoyed regularly through the mid-1980`s, the Rapier moved in Oxted in Surrey before ending up on the forecourt of a small garage in Ely, Cambridgeshire. In March 1988, the car was purchased for £1995 by a gentleman from Bishops Stortford on behalf of his partner, a Mrs. Chapman of Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. After the sale, the garage in question, Ely Service Motor Co., were retained to undertake predominantly cosmetic improvement work to include a full respray, the fitting of a roof aerial, upgraded stereo, new headlining and new tyres. Mrs. Chapman then put her own private registration on the car, “TOY 811”, and proceeded to contact all the previous keepers to gain better knowledge of her new acquisition. Surprisingly, all responded and there are hand-written letters on file with anecdotes and observations going back to first purchase in 1965! The car was retained for a couple of years being re-registered in 1991 as “FAV 69C” but sadly the trail thereafter goes cold albeit MoT Certificates document just 300 miles covered over the next 8 years, suggesting it was most probably in storage. Still in Cambridgeshire, the Rapier was MoT`d in March 1999 and subsequently entered into RTS Auctions in Norwich where it was described as “fair to good” condition having just benefitted from £1200 worth of chassis work and brake overhaul. The car was sold to a local gentleman in Shefford, Bedfordshire but once again, after this acquisition, the trail goes cold with MoT Certificates showing multiple Testing Stations across the Midlands from Coventry to Stafford to Wolverhampton over the next 20 years. By 2021, the Rapier was evidently further North again residing in Leeds where it benefitted from a fully documented engine rebuild to include piston rings, big end shells and main shells. Since the rebuild, the car has covered just over 3000 miles and as such, feels sweet and nicely run-in.
The Rapier today presents extremely well as displayed in the photographs. Although not documented, it is clear that both bodywork and paintwork have been refreshed since the last recorded work (1988). Other than a few age-related blemishes, the overall effect is stunning and complimented by excellent chrome, glass and trim. The cabin tells the same story with seemingly original Black vinyl seats and door cards in superb condition with very good Black carpets and headlining. At some point the dashboard has been replaced and unsurprisingly is in excellent shape with a full set of working details, clock and period radio.
Turn the key and with a little choke, the eager 4-pot fires immediately into life. On the road, the Rapier drives every bit as good as it presents with plenty of power, a nice smooth gearchange and terrific brakes. It feels well-balanced too with positive steering. A very easy classic to drive and live with. On a bright Saturday morning, I took the car for a spin across the West Dorset Downs and loved every minute. With instant Overdrive coming in on 3rd and 4th gears, it encourages spirited driving and longer runs at proper highway speeds are a joy. This is a classic that is truly practical and could be used year-round.
The Rapier comes with substantial history from first registration to the late 1990`s including many hand-written letters, it`s original sales invoice, many bills and receipts for work undertaken, the RTS Auction Catalogue from October 1999, the invoice for engine rebuild work on 2021, many old tax discs (1988-2013), MOT Certificates (1981-2013) and a current MOT Certificate to 25th September 2025. In addition, the car comes with magazine articles, an original colour advertising poster, an Olyslager Motor Manual for the Rootes 1600, a full set of keys and current V5C. Whilst benefitting from a current MoT, the car is naturally both MoT and road-tax exempt.
A cracking little sporting salon with nice provenance. Great value too.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today.
Deposit now taken.
