Description
Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
Viewing: Tues 28th July from 1pm
Auction 29th July, 2026 12:00
Location: Pavilion Gardens St John's Rd, Buxton SK17 6BE
Registration No: KWE 690DChassis No: Bthe details belowHHOMOT: Exempt
Understood to have covered c. 56, 000 miles from new (old MOTs on file date back to 1970 at 10, 507 miles)
Rare and desirable ‘Series 5’ variant with the larger 1725cc OHV four-cylinder engine
Recent new battery and replacement alternator
Due to be driven to the sale
Announced at the 1955 London Motor Show, the Sunbeam Rapier was the first of a new range of Rootes cars (codenamed ‘Audax’) that subsequently included the Hillman Minx and Singer Gazelle. A complete departure from its Sunbeam MKIII predecessor, the newcomer was a modern-looking, two-door, four-seater Coupe which came with overdrive as standard. The bodies were built by Pressed Steel, shipped to Thrupp & Maberly in London for painting and trimming, and then moved to the Rootes plant at Ryton-on-Dunsmore for final assembly. Though initially a little underpowered, the Rapier had inherently excellent handling and was quickly adopted for rallying. Indeed the launch of the Series II version took place at the end of the 1958 Monte Carlo Rally in which Peter Harper’s Works Rapier had finished fifth overall. Over its twelve year reign, the ‘Audax’ Rapier progressed through five series, the swansong being the Series V derivative introduced in 1965. Though visually almost identical to its predecessor, it was notable for its larger, five-bearing engine of 1725cc capacity. Just 3, 759 Series Vs were built, making it the rarest of all versions of the model.
Finished in Moonstone Blue with an Ivory roof and Light Blue vinyl upholstery, chassis Bthe details belowHH0 was supplied new to Maria Healey of Sheffield. Reportedly treated to an overhaul of its original, Weber carburettor-fed engine during the mid-1990s, the Sunbeam is understood to have covered a mere c. 56, 000 miles (the thirty-one old MOT certificates accompany it date back to March 1970 at 10, 507 miles). Deemed by the seller to be ‘structurally sound’, ‘on the button’ and ‘eminently usable in modern traffic’, the Rapier has recently benefited from a new battery and replacement alternator. Used for a variety of local journeys and due to be driven to the sale, the vendor nevertheless recommends that potential purchasers carry out ‘the usual checks’ and satisfy themselves as to the saloon’s roadworthiness. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document and history file.
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Entry by catalogue and can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people)
