Sunbeam Rapier

Sunbeam Rapier
Sunbeam Rapier IIIA convertible
Overview
Manufacturer	Rootes Group
Production	1955-76
Body and chassis
Body style	2 door saloon 2 door convertible 2 door fastback coupe
Related	Hillman Minx Singer Gazelle Sunbeam Alpine Fastback coupé
Chronology
Predecessor	Sunbeam Mark III
Successor	none

Sunbeam Rapier I
Overview
Production	1955–58 7477 produced.
Body and chassis
Body style	2 door saloon
Powertrain
Engine	1,390 cc (85 cu in) overhead valve Straight-4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	96 in (2,400 mm)
Length	160 in (4,100 mm)
Width	60 in (1,500 mm)
Height	57 in (1,400 mm)

Sunbeam Rapier II
Overview
Production	1958–59 15,151 produced.
Body and chassis
Body style	2 door saloon 2 door convertible
Powertrain
Engine	1,494 cc (91.2 cu in) overhead valve Straight-4

Sunbeam Rapier III
Overview
Production	1959–61 15,368 produced.
Body and chassis
Body style	2 door saloon 2 door convertible
Powertrain
Engine	1,494 cc (91.2 cu in) overhead valve Straight-4

Sunbeam Rapier IIIA
Overview
Production	1961–63 17,354 produced.
Body and chassis
Body style	2 door saloon 2 door convertible
Powertrain
Engine	1,592 cc (97.1 cu in) overhead valve Straight-4

Sunbeam Rapier IV
Overview
Production	1963–65 9,700 produced.
Body and chassis
Body style	2 door saloon
Powertrain
Engine	1,592 cc (97.1 cu in) overhead valve Straight-4

Sunbeam Rapier V
Rapier Series V 1966
Overview
Production	1965–67 3,759 produced.
Body and chassis
Body style	2 door saloon
Powertrain
Engine	1,724 cc (105.2 cu in) overhead valve Straight-4

Sunbeam Rapier Fastback
Overview
Also called	Sunbeam Alpine GT (United States)
Production	1967–76 46,204 produced including Alpine and H120.
Body and chassis
Body style	2 door fastback coupe
Related	Rootes Arrow range
Powertrain
Engine	1,725 cc (105.3 cu in) overhead valve Straight-4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	98.5 in (2.50 m)
Length	174 in (4.4 m)
Width	64.75 in (1.645 m)
Height	55 in (1.4 m)

Sunbeam Alpine Fastback Coupé
Sunbeam Alpine Fastback coupé
Overview
Production	1970–75
Body and chassis
Body style	2 door fastback coupe
Powertrain
Engine	1,725 cc (105.3 cu in) overhead valve Straight-4

Sunbeam Rapier H120
Overview
Production	1970–76
Body and chassis
Body style	2 door fastback coupe
Powertrain
Engine	1,725 cc (105.3 cu in) overhead valve Straight-4

The Sunbeam Rapier is an automobile produced by Rootes Group from 1955 to 1976, in two different body-styles, the "Series" cars (which underwent several revisions) and the later (1967–76) fastback shape, part of the "Arrow" range.

The first generation Rapier was the first of the "Audax" range of light cars produced by the Rootes Group, in this instance as part of their Sunbeam marque. Announced at the London Motor Show in October 1955, it preceded its Hillman Minx and Singer Gazelle counterparts which were not introduced until 1956.

A four-seat, two door hardtop coupé – designated Series I with the introduction of the Series II in 1958 – it was different from the Sunbeam Mark III, the car it would eventually replace. Although designed "in house" by the Rootes Group, it was inspired, via the Raymond Loewy design organisation, by the new-generation Studebaker coupés of 1953.

The styling of the Series I Rapier was undertaken by the design firm of Raymond Loewy Associates and showed a great deal of influence of Raymond Loewy's 1953 Studebaker Hawk (itself an acclaimed design). Announced in October 1955 for the Motor Show and available in a range of two-tone colour schemes typical of the period, it had a steering column gear change, leather trim and a Laycock de Normanville overdrive as standard fittings. Vinyl trim was an option in the UK and standard in certain export territories. Rapier bodies were built by Pressed Steel, shipped to Thrupp & Maberly in north London where they were painted and trimmed, then shipped again to the Rootes assembly plant at Ryton-on-Dunsmore near Coventry where the engines, transmission and running gear were fitted. This complex situation persisted until late 1963 when the Series IV was introduced.