Sunbeam-Talbot 90

Sunbeam-Talbot 90
Sunbeam MkIII registered July 1955
Overview
Manufacturer	Sunbeam-Talbot (Rootes Group)
Production	1948–1954 20,381 built
Body and chassis
Class	Compact executive car (D)
Body style	4-door 4-light sports saloon 2-door drophead coupe
Related	Sunbeam-Talbot 80
Powertrain
Engine	1944 cc Straight-4 till 1952 2267 cc Straight-4 from 1952
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	97.5 in (2,476 mm)
Length	167.5 in (4,254 mm)
Width	62.5 in (1,588 mm)
Height	59 in (1,499 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Sunbeam-Talbot 2 Litre
Successor	Sunbeam Mk III

Sunbeam Mk III
1956 Sunbeam Mk III
Overview
Manufacturer	Rootes Group
Production	1954–1957 2,250 built
Assembly	United Kingdom Australia
Body and chassis
Class	Compact executive car (D)
Body style	4-door saloon 2-door drophead coupe
Powertrain
Engine	2267 cc Straight-4
Chronology
Predecessor	Sunbeam-Talbot 90

The Sunbeam-Talbot 90 is a sports saloon now described as a compact executive car produced and built by Sunbeam-Talbot from 1948 to 1954 and continued as the Sunbeam Mk III from 1954 to 1957.

The 90 was launched in 1948 along with the smaller-engined Sunbeam-Talbot 80 but many features dated back to the pre war Sunbeam-Talbot 2 Litre. The body, available as a 4-door 4-light sports saloon or 2-door drophead coupe, appeared completely new though it continued some major pressings. The saloon featured the original Aero-Minx "pillarless" join between the glass on the rear door and the rear quarter window with its distinctive Sunbeam-Talbot reverse slope.

This car went through three versions before the name was changed to Sunbeam Mk III (without "Talbot") in 1954.

The Sunbeam-Talbot 90 MkIIA was the last car to bear the Sunbeam-Talbot name.

Announced at the beginning of July 1948 this new car by then had been on display in New York, Boston and Toronto. The 64 bhp (48 kW) 1,944 cc four-cylinder engine was from the preceding Sunbeam-Talbot 2 Litre and still fundamentally the design of the 1937 Hillman 14 now badged Humber Hawk. Now the engine had been given a new cast-iron cylinder head holding overhead valves, the pushrods rising through the old valve guides. Output could now reach 64 bhp (48 kW) at 4100 rpm. The sports saloon weighs 26.25 cwt, 2,940 lb (1,330 kg) The chassis with beam axles and semi-elliptic leaf springs all round was scarcely changed from the same 2 Litre model but provided a wider track. The old basic Lockheed brakes were updated to hydraulic operation. The inevitable post war steering column gear-change proved one of the better versions of this new fad. Close-coupled sports saloon and drophead coupé bodies were fitted to the chassis and the rear wheel openings were covered by metal "spats".

The Times reported the 90 was fast, it could reach 80 mph (130 km/h), (it was independently timed at 76.6 mph (123.3 km/h)), it was well-sprung and there was no wind-roar when cruising at 60 mph (97 km/h) to 70 mph (110 km/h). The intermediate gears were remarkably quiet. The steering column gear lever was light to operate but it required several tries to engage reverse. The springing was not up to the standard provided by Independent front suspension. The test sports saloon leaked into the interior in several places. The tester liked the variable driving position, the seat height can also be adjusted. This is one of the prettiest cars made today anywhere.