Description
1958 Sunbeam Rapier Series II, an early car built in May of that year. Bristol registered from Cathedral Garage, College Green Bristol the dealership sticker can still be seen on the inside. This particular car came with every optional extra available from the factory at the time as documented on the build sheet , which includes Rev Counter, Laycock de Normaville overdrive, spare wheel cover, and the fathom Gray over Glacier Blue matching trim, which it still retains today and in very good condition. This is a all matching numbers car, and still has the original 1494cc Rally-Master engine, early in the 1970’s by the second owner who fitted the very rare Alexander Carburettor twin SU’s conversion kit which was a period modification at the time.
This car comes with good documented history including period photographs, and been a regular club car since the early 1970’s. The car went through extensive body restoration, which is documented during 2015 by a professional coach builder, most of the chrome has been re-done with new carpets window door and boot seals. The car has recently been fitted with a new stainless steel exhaust, radiator and rebuilt wiper motor. I recently purchased a set of new old stock wheel trims which are now fitted. This car is very solid and a real eye catcher where ever it goes, and won a best car at show in 2022. The engine bay is detailed, and the underside is protected with oil/ paint, the body work is excellent with no issues.
This remarkable survivor is a very rare and quite unique with the big rear wing fins painted, and “duke box style dashboard” compared to the more sedate later series which have a higher survival rate, only 20 Series II Rapiers are on the road of 15, 151 produced during 1958/ 59. I have owned this car for 12 years and has been one of my favourites, its smells right inside, drives great, smooth gearbox change, and cruises nicely at 60 plus with overdrive and has a very comfortable ride and has proved to be very reliable.
The car is a real pleasure to drive and ready for the summer. Well documented history, comes with "Rootes Archive Trust" certificate of authentication. Has some historic photos of the cars past and a well documented restoration over a 3 year period.
