Marque: Sunbeam - Company History & Models - Cars By Brand
Sunbeam
The Sunbeam Motor Car Co. Ltd. Was started in 1905 following development of cycles and then cars from diverse beginnings (starting in 1887 with John Marston and his ‘Sunbeamland Cycle Factory’). Designed by Angus Shaw, the first product of the new Sunbeam company was the 16/20, introduced in 1907. Louis Coatalen (previously with Humber and Hillman) became Designer in 1909 and joint Managing…
Sunbeam / Talbot 80, 90, Alpine
PRICE: Saloon: £500 - £5000; Drophead Coupé: £1000 - £9000; Alpine: £4000 - £12,000+
Fast Facts
- Produced:
1948-56 - Bodywork:
four-door saloon; two-door drophead coupe; two-seater sports (Alpine) - Engine:
Overhead valve in-line four-cylinder 80: 1185cc 47bhp; 90: 1944cc 64bhp; 90 Mk II/IIA/III: 2267cc 70-97bhp - Top Speed:
80: 70+ -104 mph - MPG:
80: 28-32; 90: 24-30+
Solidly-built, comfortable, well-equipped and enjoyable to drive, these cars were well-respected in their time. Today these attractive vehicles are still revered. The 80 is no road burner. However, the 90 has a 1944cc unit under the bonnet - a much better bet for long distance classic motoring. The Alpine sports version was inspired by George Hartwell, and this uprated model (based on Mark IIA) had a stiffer chassis, modded front suspension, higher compression ratio and 80bhp. The Mark III 90 saloon and drophead were also fitted with the Alpine-type 80 bhp engine, for a still respectable turn of speed. Prices are starting to rise across the board on all models.
Sunbeam Rapier (‘Series’ Cars)
Fast Facts
- Produced:
1956-66 - Bodywork:
Two-door sports saloon; convertible - Engine:
Overhead valve in-line four-cylinder Series I (1955-58): 1390cc 57.5bhp; Series II (1958-59)/Series III (1959-61): 1494cc 73bhp; Series IIIA (1961-63)/Series V (1963- 65): 78bhp Series V (1965-67): 85bhp - 0-60 mph:
13-20+ sec - Top Speed:
88-95mph - MPG:
24-30+
The two-door sports saloon that everyone seemed to want in the 1950s. Today these stylish Sunbeams still provide impressive performance, are also practical, reliable and easy to look after at home. Although the Minx and the equivalent Rapier have much in common, Sunbeams were always much faster and had a luxury sporting image not dissimilar to a modern BMW. Although eventually ousted by the later fastback Rapiers, the originals are still much-revered by Rootes enthusiasts, especially the rare convertibles, which had a character all of their own. Prices are starting to reflect their rarity – the biggest problem may be finding a car that’s not been ‘upgraded’ by later bits.
