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Sunbeam Alpine GT - Rapier is patient

Name: Sunbeam Rapier 1968
Brand: Sunbeam

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Created on March 1, 2024

Text:

Paul Krüger

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

Archiv

Daniel Reinhard

Archiv

Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Lots of glass: the multi-part rear window is the most striking feature of the Arrow coupés

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Beautiful back: According to designer Roy Axe, the resemblance to the Plymouth Barracuda is pure coincidence

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - the US version of the European Sunbeam Rapier

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - The British Leyland sticker behind the front wheel is of course nonsense. Sunbeam belonged to the Rootes Group and thus later to Chrysler

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Pretty, but unsuccessful: only 46,000 Arrow coupés were produced in eight years

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - It had what it took to be a serious competitor to the Opel Rekord Coupé and Ford 20 M Coupé

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - When the windows are closed, only a thin chrome strip conceals the window gap and seal

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Hardtop Coupé: All four side windows can be fully retracted without an obstructing B-pillar

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Pointed fender edges as the last hint of tail fins. The rear lights are from the Hillman Hunter Estate

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - The C-pillar of the simpler Alpine was painted. The crowned crest was retrofitted. The letters G and T were superimposed here ex works

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Almost Japanese: the rear-view mirrors sit unusually far forward on the fenders

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Pretty wheel covers that - nomen est omen - are reminiscent of a sun with rays

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Very weathered, but still recognizable: The Sunbeam emblem from the thirties is enthroned on the hood

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Pretty wheel covers reminiscent - nomen est omen - of a sun with rays

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Bright in material and illumination: friendly interior with elegant sportiness, but ergonomically unfavorably placed steering wheel

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Front seats with integrated headrests, sufficient legroom in the rear: the Rapier was a fully-fledged four-seater

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - On the sportier models, the six instruments are in black plastic. The simple Alpine had three of them in wood veneer

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Selector lever for the three-speed automatic transmission on the center console, ashtray and switch for the hazard warning lights behind it

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Door panel with color-contrasting armrest. Below the chrome-plated door handle, above the door lock

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - In the version with two Stromberg carburetors, the 1725 cm3 four-cylinder engine produces 89 hp according to the DIN measuring method

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - The two Stromberg carburetors of type 150 CD share a common air filter

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - With 89 hp and automatic transmission, the departure is not quite as fast as the rear end promises

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Good humor guaranteed: Friends of underestimated oddballs get their money's worth without missing out on driving fun

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Good humor guaranteed: Friends of underrated oddballs get their money's worth without missing out on driving fun

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Friendly everyday face: The front is as arbitrary as the rear is striking

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Ideal conditions: Alone on a well-maintained country road, while a cool spring breeze blows through the open side windows

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - The sloping oil pan is not a sign of English quality, but the result of the engine being tilted by 15 degrees

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Sunbeam Alpine GT (1970) - Camouflage color: In fresh "oasis green" (RTS 135), the Rapier blends in with the surrounding meadows

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Sunbeam Rapier (1971) - hardtop coupé with fully retractable side windows without center pillars

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Sunbeam Rapier (1968) - similarities with the Plymouth Barracuda are purely coincidental

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Sunbeam Rapier (1968) - sporty-chic fastback coupé for four people

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Sunbeam Rapier (1968) - sporty coupé with attractive lines

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Sunbeam Rapier (1968) - sporty cockpit with six instruments and perforated steering wheel spokes

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Sunbeam Rapier H 120 (1969) - Sport version with tear-off edge, rally stripes, two Weber twin carburetors and 110 SAE hp

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Sunbeam Alpine (1971) - entry-level model with painted C-pillar and 67 hp

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Summary

As an extravagant hardtop coupé based on reliable mass-produced technology, the Sunbeam Rapier had what it took to be a sales success at the end of the sixties. But because parent company Chrysler neglected its Rootes stepchildren, the Arrow fastbacks were never really able to reveal their talents. Even the US model Alpine GT, which illustrates this article, could not prevent the end of the Sunbeam brand.

This article contains the following chapters

Confusing variety of models
Sport and economy model
Today as then

Estimated reading time: 8min

Preview (beginning of the article)

If a British car is sold in Germany exclusively through every tenth dealer of a medium-sized French brand, it is safe to assume that this model will occupy one of the lowest places in the registration statistics. No matter how ravishingly beautiful it looks, how lavishly equipped it is and how unrivaled its low price is. If nobody knows of its existence and its manufacturer makes no effort to inform potential customers of its existence, who is going to buy this car? If the car in question is not the most beautiful, luxurious and cheapest under the sun, but just a little bit above average, things become even more difficult.

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