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…

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Sunbeam Imp Sport / Stiletto

RATING:

6 / 10

PRICE: £200+ - £2500+

Fast Facts

Produced:
1966-76
Bodywork:
Two-door saloon/coupe
Engine:
Overhead camshaft in-line four-cylinder 875cc 51bhp
0-60 mph:
16+ sec
Top Speed:
90 mph
MPG:
30-40+ mpg

An Imp with some attitude. Based on the plain Hillman model but with more fun the Sunbeam Imp Sport was introduced for 1966 and was much more powerful care of a sporty cylinder head, racier cam, special pistons, twin Stromberg carburettors, plus a sports exhaust system. - a sortof Rootes Mini Cooper in many ways. Servo-assisted brakes were also part of the package while the car rides and corners quite well too. The sexy Stiletto arrived in October 1967, using the Sport’s drivetrain mated to the fastback body of the Hillman Imp Californian, plus four headlamps and vinyl roof. Sadly discontinued in 1972, but the Sport continued until 1976.

Sunbeam / Talbot 80, 90, Alpine

RATING:

8 / 10

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)

RATING:

6 / 10

PRICE: Saloon: £500 - £4000; Convertible: £1000 - £6000

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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.

Sunbeam Alpine (Series I-V)

RATING:

8 / 10

PRICE: £1500 to £8000+

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Fast Facts

Produced:
1959-68
Bodywork:
Two-door sports two-door hard top GT
Engine:
Overhead valve in-line four-cylinder Series I (1959-60): 1494cc 80bhp; Series II (1960-63): 1592cc 82bhp; Series III (1963-64): 75-82bhp; Series IV (1964-65): 1592cc single carburettor (twin choke) 81bhp; Series V (1965-68): 1725cc (twin carburettor) 91bhp
0-60 mph:
13-14 sec
Top Speed:
95-100mph
MPG:
23-30

The Alpine arrived on the scene just as the MGA was reaching the end of its life, and the MGB had yet to be introduced. This stylish sportster was based upon the Hillman Husky platform, initially with the proven 1494cc engine but power units grew in stages to 1592cc and finally 1725cc, yet the cars were lively if not really fast. In later years the hard top GT version was fitted with a walnut dash, full carpeting and other refinements. For those seeking a classic British sports car but would prefer something a little different - and more refined – to the MGB and Triumph TR models, the Alpine is a worthy, easy to own alternative that’s still great value.

Sunbeam Tiger

RATING:

10 / 10

PRICE: Mark I: £5000 - £15,000; Mark II: £5000+ - £16,000+

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Fast Facts

Produced:
1964-67
Bodywork:
Two-door sports
Engine:
Overhead valve V8 4261cc (260 cu.in.) 164bhp; 4737cc (289 cu.in.) 200bhp
0-60 mph:
4261cc: 9 sec; 4737cc: 7.5 sec
Top Speed:
4261cc: 115+ mph; 4737cc: 120+ mph
MPG:
15-25

Effectively an Alpine with American Ford V8 grunt, the first Tiger was offered in Britain from the spring of 1965 and was powered by a 260 cu.in. motor. This spelt spectacular performance and an unmistakable engine note. The engine was enlarged for Mk II versions which appeared in the spring of 1967 but car died quickly due to Chrysler take over. A cut price Cobra, all Tigers are exhilarating and seen as much more desirable than the Alpines on which they were originally based (you can’t convert one easily though). Today Tigers are rare, much sought-after and priced accordingly. Incidentally, idea was mooted by Jack Braham who suggested the Daimler V8.

Sunbeam / Talbot TI and lotus

RATING:

8 / 10

PRICE: 1.6Ti: £400 - £2000+; Lotus: £1000+ - £5000

Fast Facts

Produced:
1979-82
Bodywork:
Three-door hatchback
Engine:
1.6Ti: Overhead valve in-line four-cylinder 1598cc 100bhp; Lotus: Twin overhead camshaft 16 valve in-line four-cylinder 2172cc 150bhp
0-60 mph:
1.6Ti: 10 sec; Lotus: 7 sec
Top Speed:
1.6Ti: 108 mph; Lotus: 120+ mph
MPG:
1.6Ti: 24-35; Lotus: 18-30

Distinctive, highly capable rear drive hot hatches. The Avenger Tiger-powered 1.6Ti added sparkle to the range in 1979, with its twin Weber carb motor. Heavy-duty suspension, special wheels and a sporty interior featured too. Competing against Ford’s Escort RS2000 rally car was the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus - the first model to carry the new Talbot name. It featured a modified twin-cam Lotus 907 engine, driving through a five-speed ZF ‘box. Not surprisingly it excelled in motorsport, and (for example) finished ahead of the Audi Quattros in the 1981 World Rally Championship. Considering the Lotus pedigree, prices are still cheap for such a classic hot hatch.

Sunbeam Rapier/Alpine (Fastback)

RATING:

8 / 10

PRICE: Alpine: £300 - £1500; Rapier: £400 - £3000+; H120: £500 - £4000+

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Fast Facts

Produced:
1967-76
Bodywork:
Two-door coupé
Engine:
Overhead valve in-line four cylinder 1725cc Alpine: 74bhp; Rapier/H120: 82/95bhp
0-60 mph:
Alpine: 15 sec; Rapier: 12+ sec H120: 11 sec
Top Speed:
Alpine: 90+ mph; Rapier: 100+ mph; H120: 105+ mph
MPG:
25-33

Often overlooked in favour of coupes from Ford, Vauxhall, Opel and other manufacturers, the fastback Rapiers (and the less expensive, more basic single carb Alpines) were always stylish, lively and very well-equipped. The H120 versions - endowed with twin Weber DCOE carbs, Rostyle sports wheels, a rear spoiler and a higher axle ratio - were especially impressive in their day. Interest is growing as the many attributes of the surviving examples are becoming appreciated although you ned to look far and wide to find one. If you are after a four/five seater sporty fixedhead classic that isn’t a Capri, then these Sunbeams should certainly be on your list.

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