Lot 505: 1960 Sunbeam Rapier Series III Competition Saloon

The Rapier played an important part in Rootes’ competition programme, achieving some notable successes both in circuit races and on the ‘rough stuff’. The car was first raced in Series I form in the 1956 Mille Miglia but rallying was its true forte, as demonstrated by an impressive tally of class wins and team awards extending into the 1960s. In 1958 Peter Harper finished 5th in the Monte and won the RAC Rally outright, while Paddy Hopkirk finished in 3rd place on the 1959 Alpine event. The Tour de France was another event in which the Rapier excelled, as exemplified by a commanding 1, 2, 3 class finish in 1962.
This Series III Rapier was purchased in rolling chassis form in 2005 (displaying 56,000 miles on the odometer at that time) and has since been fully restored and prepared for endurance rallying. After completion the Rapier was entered in the 2007 Peking to Paris Rally, winning the Coupe des Dames for its driver, Pamela Reid (competitor number ‘118’). It featured in the Travel Channel’s 10-part television series ‘Peking to Paris’, a DVD of which is available from the Channel’s shop.
The car’s specification includes a 1,592cc Series IIIA engine and overdrive gearbox, the former with low (7.0:1) compression ratio; seam-welded front cross member; up-rated suspension; alternator electrics (negative earth); internally routed fuel and brake lines; laminated windscreen; radiator protection; boot-mounted fuel tank, custom made by Concept Racing; twin electric fuel pumps; roll cage; and Recaro driver/passenger seats complete with harnesses.
Offered with restoration invoices, current MoT, SORN, FIVA Identity Card and Swansea V5 registration document, this rally-proven Rapier represents a relatively inexpensive route to participation in a host of prestigious historic motor sport events. A substantial quantity of spare parts is available from the vendor via separate negotiation.