1962 Sunbeam Rapier

Sunbeam Rapier Series 3a, selling as its just not getting used and it’s a shame to just leave it sitting in the garage.
The first owner bought the car back in 1962 and drove it for about ten years before it was taken of the road and put into storage. Around 2000 it was transported to a well-respected Rapier specialist for recommissioning and paint work, In the end the owner sold the car in 2003 to the specialist, he kept the car until 2018 when I bought and became the third owner.
In the previous owner’s time with the car, it saw a lot of use including a tour of Ireland and trips around England.
The bodywork is incredibly solid, and the underside is original with sign of welding having been carried out. It’s one of the better ones left and would cost more to weld up and paint a rough car that the asking price. All the places where they go, front inner wings, boot floor etc are all perfect.
The original gearbox has been replaced with an all-synchromesh version from a series 4/ 5 rapier which makes it a lot easier to drive in modern traffic.
The tyres are a matched set of Vredestein sprint classic that have very little wear.
The exhaust is stainless steel with the exception of the front pipe, but I do have a new one that will be included, this is a bonus as a full system is now in excess of £800.
The starter was very lazy when I bought the car so this has been replaced with a reduction gear starter from a sunbeam alpine, this turns the car over quicker and is less of a drain on the battery.
The chrome is good but not perfect but there are no rust holes in anything.
The interior is good but there are two holes in the rear door panels, where seatbelts were fitted. I was going to refit seatbelts as this would have solved the problem but have never got round to it.
The engine has great oil pressure and runs very well and can easily keep up or surprise modern traffic, it had new pistons just before i bought it and I have had a new timing chain and tensioner fitted.
Comes with some spare hubcaps and a load of other useful parts.
Number plate has been valued at £2000 but will stay with the car.
Written Sunbeam Rapier owners club written insurance valuation of £14, 000 so this really is a bit of a bargain.
Only selling due to lack of use and the purchase of an 80s classic.
Has just had a new MOT.
Would consider a cheap Morris Minor two door in part exchange.
Can be viewed near Lydney, Forest of dean